“I have another mission which I wish you would perform for me while you are in the city,” he said.
The boys looked up from their work.
“What sort of a mission?” asked Jack.
“Well, you see, I’ve been thinking over matters carefully. I have come to a conclusion.—My lawyer, Mr. Bowler, is in Boston—I’ll give you the address later.—I want you to take to him the model of my machine, the blue prints, and a note asking him to take immediate steps to patent my invention.”
“But I thought that you were not ready to patent the machine yet. That you were afraid that by doing so your plans would be forestalled,” objected Jack.
“That’s just the point on which I have changed my mind. I’m certain now that you can make my machine go, and there is no object in holding back the patent any longer. I dare not send the model by express for fear that the plotters may steal it in some way.”
“I think you are right,” said Jack, after a moment’s reflection.
“Very well, then, while you are finishing up your work I’ll wrap the model up. It will have to be packed carefully as it is quite fragile.”
So saying, the inventor walked off to his study to get the model, by which he set so much store, ready for shipment. This did not take long, as the box which was to contain it was already constructed. Very soon he rejoined the boys, with the package in his hands. Mr. Jesson, who was to remain at Pokeville that day to visit some experimental gardens in the vicinity, accompanied him. He added his cautions to the inventor’s injunctions to be very careful of the fragile model.
“You can rest assured that we’ll take good care of it,” was Jack’s reply, “and it will be safe in Boston by noon.”