, friend?"

"Why, you're in some Trust er other, ain't ye?--Member of Congress--I
mean Parlyment--friend of Lord What's-'is-name--Clerk of the
Star--suthin' or other. Guess you're pretty middlin' rich, ain't ye?"

Bacon's face grew long at these words, and he seated himself in evident
melancholy.

"Why, to speak truth, friend," he said, "I find myself at this moment in
serious straits. Indeed, 'tis an affair of a debt that hath driven me
thus to your door."

"A debt!" said Droop, his heart sinking.

"Ay. The plain truth is, that at this moment I am followed by two
bailiffs--bearers of an execution of arrest upon my person. 'Twas to
evade these fellows that I entered this deserted garden, leaving my
horse without. 'Tis for this cause I am here. Now, Master Droop, you
know the whole truth."

"Great Jonah!" said Droop, helplessly. "But didn't you say you had
friends?"

"None better, Master Droop. My uncle is Lord Burleigh--Lord High
Treasurer to her Gracious Majesty. My patron is the Earl of Essex----"

"Why don't they give ye a lift?"

Bacon's face grew graver.

"Essex is away," he said. "On his return my necessities will be speedily
relieved. As for mine uncle, to him have I applied; but his lordship
lives in the sunshine of her Majesty's smiles, and he cannot be too
sudden in aid of Francis Bacon for fear of losing the Queen's favor
else."

"Why so?"

"A long tale of politics, friend. A speech made by me in Parliament in
opposing monopolies."

"Oh!" said Droop, dismally. "You're down on monopolies, air ye?"

Bacon turned a wary eye upon his companion.

"Why ask you this?" he said.

"Why, only to--" He paused. "To say sooth," he continued, with sudden
resolution, "I want to get a monopoly myself--two or three of 'em. I've
got some A1 inventions here, an' I want to get 'em patented. I thought,
perhaps, you or your friends might help me."

"Ah!" Bacon exclaimed, with awakening interest. "You seek my influence
in furtherance of these designs. Do I apprehend you?"

"That's jest it," said Droop.

"And what would be the--ahem--the recognition which----"

"Why, you'd git a quarter interest in the hull business," said Droop,
hopefully. "That is, provided you've got the inflooence, ye know."

"Too slight--too slight for Francis Bacon, Master Droop."

Copernicus thought rapidly for a minute or two. Then he pretended
indifference.

"Oh, very good!" he said. "I'll take up with Sir Thomas
Thingumbob--W