“Did he say anything?” asked Steve.
“No. Just smiled. That shows he’s up to something. Wonder what it is.”
Steve shook his head.
“I don’t see how that man can possibly injure me,” he said, musingly. “I’ve gone straight ahead, in an honest fashion, and minded my own business. As for the machine, that’s honest, too, and all my improvements are patented.”
“They’re what?”
“Patented, sir; registered in the patent office at Washington.”
“Oho!”
Steve looked at him, surprised.
“Well, sir?”
“You’re an irresponsible idiot, Stephen Kane.”