Coburn explained. "When we started here the Baltic trade, which
was, of course, the big trade before the war, had not revived. Now
we find the Baltic competition growing keener, and our margin of
profit is dwindling. We are handicapped also by having only a
one-way traffic. Most of the Baltic firms exporting pit-props have
an import trade in coal as well. This gives them double freights
and pulls down their overhead costs. But it wouldn't pay us to
follow their example. If we ran coal it could only be to Bordeaux,
and that would take up more of our boat's time than it would be
worth."

Hilliard nodded and Mr. Coburn went on:

"On the other hand, we are doing better in what I may call
'sideshows.'" We're getting quite a good price for our fire-wood,
and selling more and more of it. Three large firms in Bordeaux
have put in wood-burning fireboxes and nothing else, and two others
are thinking of following suit. Then I am considering two
developments; in fact, I have decided on the first. We are going to
put in an air compressor in our engine-room, and use pneumatic tools
in the forest for felling and lopping. I estimate that will save
us six men. Then I think there would be a market for pine paving
blocks for streets. I haven't gone into this yet, but I'm doing so."

"That sounds very promising," Hilliard answered. "I don't know much
about it, but I believe soft wood blocks are considered better than
hard."

"They wear more evenly, I understand. I'm trying to persuade the
Paris authorities to try a piece of it, and if that does well it