“No, only the trade of cutting gems and shaping mirrors.”
“We understood we paid thee for all thy teaching,” objected the apprentice. “’Tis only fair we should have our money’s worth.”
Gutenberg thought a moment. “This work must be done in quiet,” said he, “and must be kept an absolute secret for a time. But I do need money to carry it on rightly.”
This made Dritzhn more eager than ever to learn what the work was. “We can keep thy secret,” said he, “furnish funds, and perhaps help in the business.”
Gutenberg had misgivings as to the wisdom of increasing his confidants, but he finally decided to trust them. First he pledged each to absolute secrecy. Then he produced his wooden cuts, and explained in detail how he had made them. Both the apprentices showed the greatest interest. “Being a draughtsman, I can help with the figures,” said Dritzhn.
“Yes,” agreed Gutenberg, “but just now I am chiefly busy in cutting blocks for books.”
“Books!” exclaimed the apprentice.
“Yes. I have found a new way of imprinting them.” Then he showed them what he was doing with the History.
Dritzhn was amazed. “There should be a fortune in this!” said he. “But will not this art do away with the old method of copying?”
“In time it may,” agreed the inventor. “That’s one reason why we must keep it secret. Otherwise the copyists might try to destroy what I have done.”