ith Gambrich."

"According to this account, our lamp was made before Gambrich's. Does
that give him priority of invention?" asked Walter eagerly.

Anderson shrugged his shoulders.

"Priority of manufacture does not legally cut any figure by the side of
priority of invention. You might be able to prove that you had made the
lamp before Gambrich made his, but that would not help you any if he
invented his arrangement first, long before you made your lamp."

"Is that really strict justice?" said Bauer slowly.

"It is law," said Anderson grimly, "and you must remember that law and
justice are not in every case synonymous. I'm sorry for you fellows.
There's a lot of money in that invention for the manufacturers of the
lamp, and considerable for the inventor if he knows how to make terms."

"Do you mean," asked Walter gloomily, "that really we have no right at
all with what we have made?"

"Don't you see you haven't? What can you do? Ask any lawyer, if you
don't believe me."

Anderson spoke somewhat testily as he started to go away.

"I believe you're glad we missed this opportunity," said Walter angrily.
He was tremendously discouraged over the event and could not control his
feelings.

Anderson grew very red and turned on Walter in a rage.

"I don't mind saying I am glad your pride has had a tumble. You have
been unbearable for some time. Maybe this will teach you a lesson. There
are people in the world who know a little about electricity as well as
yourself."

All of which was not calculated to sweeten Walter's sense of defeat or
make him more friendly to Anderson, who, after glaring at Bauer, who had
not said a word, abruptly went out of the shop.

The lamp was working all this time, with an exasperating smoothness and
precision that spoke eloquently of its financial possibilities. There
were a few workers in the other parts of the shop who, realising that
some unusual event was on, began to gather around Walter and Bauer and
ask questions. Among the group was Van Shaw.

In a few moments everyone knew the story of the lamp, and Walter and
Bauer came in for congratulations over the invention and sympathy for
its uselessness to them.

"I could have told everybody about that lamp two months ago," said Van
Shaw, speaking with an indirect manner peculiarly offensive to Walter.
"I have had advices from a near friend in New York that Gambrich was at
work on this device. It's a pity some Burrton man can't have t