“It has taken a good deal of brains to invent it.”

“No doubt, no doubt.  Well, if you want me to join you, it must be on suitable terms.  Money is tight.”

“Well, propose your own terms.”

“That’s not my way.  I’ll think it over before I put my hand to paper.  Give me till to-morrow.”

“Certainly.”

On this Mr. Bolt went off as if he had been shot.

He returned next day, and laid before Henry an agreement drawn by the sharpest attorney in Hillsborough, and written in a clerk’s hand.  “There,” said he, briskly, “you sign that, and I’ll make my mark, and at it we go.”

“Stop a bit,” said Henry.  “You’ve been to a lawyer, have you?  Then I must go to one, too; fair play’s a jewel.”

Bolt looked disappointed; but the next moment he affected cheerfulness, and said, “That is fair.  Take it to your lawyer directly.”

“I will,” said Henry; but, instead of a lawyer, he took it to his friend Dr. Amboyne, told him all about Ben Bolt, and begged his advice on the agreement.  “Ought he to have the lion’s share like this?”

“The moneyed man generally takes that.  No commodity is sold so far beyond its value as money.  Let me read it.”

The purport of the agreement was as follows:—­New premises to be built by Bolt, a portion of the building to be constructed so that it could be easily watched night and day, and in that part the patent saw-grinding machines to be worked.  The expenses of this building to be paid off by degrees out of the gross receipts, and meanwhile Mr. Bolt was to receive five per cent. interest for his outlay and two-thirds of the profits, if any.  Mr. Little to dispose of his present factory, and confine his patents to the joint operation.

Dr. Amboyne, on mature consideration, advised Little to submit to all the conditions, except the clause confining his operations and his patents.  They just drew their pen through that clause, and sent the amended agreement to Bolt’s hotel.  He demurred to the amendment; but Henry stood firm, and proposed a conference of four.  This took place at Dr. Amboyne’s house, and at last the agreement was thus modified:  the use of the patents in Hillsborough to be confined to the firm of Bolt and Little:  but Little to be free to sell them, or work them in any other town, and also free, in Hillsborough, to grind saws by hand, or do any other established operation of cutlery.

The parties signed; and Bolt went to work in earnest.  With all his resolution, he did not lack prudence.  He went into the suburbs for his site and bought a large piece of ground.  He advertised for contracts and plans, and brought them all to Henry, and profited by his practical remarks.

He warned the builders it must be a fortress, as well as a factory:  but, at Henry’s particular request, he withheld the precise reason.  “I’m not to be rattened,” said he.  “I mean to stop that little game.  I’m Ben Bolt, that’s bad to beat.”