approval his reputation rested; and moreover he was sustained by the
thought that one glance at his book would let them into its secret.
In fact, so sure was he of this that he wondered the astute Harviss
had cared to risk such speedy exposure. But Harviss had probably
reflected that even in this reverberating age the opinions of the
laboratory do not easily reach the street; and the Professor, at any
rate, was not bound to offer advice on this point.

The determining cause of his consent was the fact that the book was
already in press. The Professor knew little about the workings of
the press, but the phrase gave him a sense of finality, of having
been caught himself in the toils of that mysterious engine. If he
had had time to think the matter over, his scruples might have
dragged him back; but his conscience was eased by the futility of
resistance.






IV





Mrs. Linyard did not often read the papers; and there was therefore
a special significance in her approaching her husband one evening
after dinner with a copy of the _New York Investigator_ in her hand.