"May I ask, sir," said Dink, very much aggrieved—for masters should confine themselves to evidence and not draw deductions—"I should like to know by what right you pick on me?"
The Roman, knowing thoroughly the subject under hand, did not condescend to argue, but smiled a thin, wan smile.
"You were, John, weren't you?"
"I was—that is, I invented it."
"Invented it?" said The Roman, sending one eyebrow toward the ceiling. "Invented what?"
"The Sleep Prolonger," said Dink very proudly.
"Prolonger!" said The Roman, with the jarring memories of the night upon him. "Explain, sir!"
Dink went minutely over the detailed construction of the invention of the age. By request, he repeated the same while The Roman followed, tracing a plan upon his pad. At the conclusion Dink waited aggressively, watching The Roman, who continued to stare at his sketch.
"One question, John," he said, without raising his eyes. "Was the Kennedy the only house thus favored?"
"No, sir. Macnooder installed them in the Dickinson and the Woodhull."