"I expect before the day is over to be the owner of other claims against this business."
"In order to wreck us and take the business?"
"Wreck you? Yes. That is good business. But, Mr. Pollard, we will make it well worth your while to stay with the new owners." He was well aware that the inventor might be on the verge of new inventions that would outdate the "Pollard," and he wanted to keep anything new for himself.
"Nothing would induce me to stay on if Mr. Farnum were forced out, Mr.
Melville."
"What's that? Forced out?"
The voice came from the doorway, the door having been noiselessly opened, and Jacob Farnum stood at the entrance.
Melville and the lawyer turned in their seats and the others sprang to their feet.
"Oh, it's you, is it, Melville? What can I do for you?" asked the boatbuilder.
"You can settle for this claim, Farnum," and the capitalist held out the paper.
"Very well. I will write you a check at once. The banks are closed for the day now, but I will deposit the money the first thing in the morning. Until I do that, I have not enough in bank to cover this," and he looked at the paper. "By the way," and he turned to his employees and to the inventor, ignoring the two outsiders, "the Navy Department has accepted the 'Pollard.' I've sold her for one hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars. Have you any more assigned claims against me, Mr. Melville?" he drawled, again facing the capitalist.