s of his father, giving street
number and office. In the same mail he sent his father Halstead's letter
and told of his return of the check, at the same time authorising his
father to have full power to act for him with Halstead or any other
firm.

"I do not know just what I ought to receive for my patent." Bauer wrote.
"But I am not going to act hastily nor sell at a sacrifice. I trust you
to make terms that will at least be some measure of the real value of
the article."

A week passed by during which time Bauer's father wrote acknowledging
Bauer's letters, thanking him for accepting his offer, commending his
action in returning the check to Halstead, Burns & Co., and assuring
Felix that the business would receive prompt and careful attention.

A week later as Walter and Bauer were in the shop a telegraph messenger
came in with an envelope for Felix Bauer.

Bauer opened and read and without a word passed the message over to
Walter. It read, "Halstead offers $5,000 cash down and percentage on
American sales. Shall I close with offer? Adolph Bauer."

Walter could hardly speak--he was so excited.

"Better close with it. You can't do better. That father of yours must be
a------"

Bauer smiled faintly. "Perhaps I can't expect more. I believe I will
wire accept."

"Better find out what the percentage is, and why European sales are not
included."

"Yes," said Bauer briefly. He was strangely calm and not particularly
overjoyed by his unexpected good fortune. Walter recalled that
afterwards.

He answered the telegram with a letter, asking for details which his
father furnished promptly. The European sales were subject to such
expense and delay that the manufacturers explained the unusual risk and
made a plausible showing why royalty terms were difficult to arrange.
After two weeks correspondence, Bauer finally telegraphed his father--
"You are authorised to close with Halstead on their terms. Take your
commission out of the $5,000."

By the business arrangements made between them Bauer's father was to
receive five per cent on any cash offer. Bauer felt kindly towards him
for the way the affair had come out and in a letter written the same day
he sent the telegram he authorised his father to take out ten per cent
commission instead of the five agreed upon in their formal contract.

"I don't want to get too money mad," he said to himself with a grim
smile as he posted the letter, and with a great feeling of weari