"
Jacob Farnum, it will be remembered, had married Grace Desmond, an
heiress. Her affairs were not yet fully settled through the probate
court, but she would presently be entitled to about a half million
dollars in her own right. To many it would have seemed that, with a
wife so rich, the inventor would not have to look far to find abundant
capital. Jacob Farnum, however, knew the hazards that surround even
the best conducted business concerns, and he had determined that not
a penny of his young wife's fortune should be risked in his own ventures.
In other words, it was a point of honor with him not to take the
slightest risk of involving his wife's private fortune.
The following morning David Pollard was on hand, in response to a
telegram from his friend. Things were now about in shape for final
discussion between Melville, the builder and the inventor.
In the private inner office of the shipyard the group of those most
interested gathered. Jacob Farnum seated himself beside his desk,
Pollard taking a chair close by. Lawyer Demarest, with a pile of
impressive looking documents before him, sat at a large flat-top desk.
Melville, senior, and two business friends, sat a little apart, while
Don Melville stood behind his father.
"I will say, in beginning," commenced George Melville, in his smoothest,
blandest tones, "that we have talked so far, you and I, Mr.
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