g of independence and a
courageous reluctance to burden Walter with it.

"I want to read you a letter from my father," said Bauer, eyeing Walter
wistfully.

Walter nodded, and Bauer took out the letter and read in his slow almost
stammering fashion.

"Washington, D. C.,
"October 5, 1909.

"Son Felix.

"Undoubtedly this letter will cause you surprise. It is only after much
painful contemplation of all the facts that I venture to send you this
communication. It is not an easy matter for myself after the experiences
through which I have passed to approach you with a proposition which may
seem altogether impossible to you. Before you judge me, hear me.
Whatever may have been the mistakes I have made you have never been
involved in them in any way, and I am writing you now to assure you of
my real affection for you and to hasten to dispel any ill will you may
have for me on account of the deep shadow which has fallen on my life.

"I am living here in Washington and have opened a law office on H
street. A few days ago I had occasion to go to the patent office and
there I saw your model of the electric incubator. There were two men
standing there looking at the model and I overheard one of them saying,
'That thing is good for a fortune to someone.' I learned by inquiry that
the speaker was Halstead of the manufacturing firm of Halstead, Burns &
Co. He does not know me, and I am sure he did not see me or notice me
while he was in the patent office.

"Now what I am writing you for is simply this. If you will put the
business of this patent into my hands, I am confident I can manage it
for you to your satisfaction. I am confident you have made a very
valuable invention and it ought to bring you a good sum of money. I am
willing to do all the work of negotiating between you and the parties
interested and charge you only a fair price for my services. As you
know, I have had some experience in business affairs and I am not
without ability. There will be two offers made you no doubt, one to buy
your patent outright, and the other to contract for a share of the
manufactured sales. In the first case a lump sum would be offered. In
the other you would be obliged to wait a long time for any returns. I
would be inclined to favour the sale of the patent rights and hold to a
stiff price. But that is a matter for deliberation. You may not agree
with me. However, very mu