"That is in your application of the principle. But is not the principle the same?"
"It is similar, though not identical. I have gone all over the ground he is travelling now."
"And in another month he may be all over your ground."
"There is danger, of course, but I think still I shall get in first."
"I hope you may. But I confess when I tumbled across that article this morning it made me feel mightily uncomfortable."
"It is a little upsetting, no doubt."
"You see, he must have secured himself pretty well, or he would not have permitted so much of the scheme to get into print. Don't you see it largely discounts anyone else who comes after, though he may have something better."
"Yes, I admit the force of all you say," Rufus answered slowly. "But my game is not up yet."
"I hope not, indeed. I should regard it as nothing short of a calamity were you to fail."
"If the worst comes to the worst it will have to be faced, that is all. In any case, you will not suffer loss."