of a great man--no, of a great inventor about him."

"Do you really?" replied the Colonel, much interested. "That is
curious--and encouraging; for, my dear John, where business matters are
concerned, I trust your judgment."

"But I doubt whether he will make any money out of it," went on Porson.
"One day the world will benefit; probably he will not benefit."

The Colonel's interest faded. "Possibly, John; but, if so, perhaps
for present purposes we may leave this mysterious discovery out of the
question."

"I think so, I think so; but what is the point?"

"The point is that I seem to be about at the end of my tether, although,
as yet, I am glad to say, nobody has actually pressed me, and I have
come to you, as a friend and a relative, for advice. What is to be done?
I have sold you all the valuable land, and I am glad to think that you
have made a very good thing of it. Some years ago, also, you took over
the two heaviest mortgages on the Abbey estate, and I am sorry to say
that the interest is considerably in arrear. There remain the floating
debts and other charges, amounting in all to about 7,000 pounds, which
I have no means of meeting, and meanwhile, of course, the place must be
kept up. Under these circumstances, John, I ask you as a business man,
what is to be done?"

"And, as a business man, I say I'm hanged if I know," said Porson, with
unwonted energy. "All debts, no assets--the position is impossible.
Unless, indeed, something happens."