talks to it as if
it were a human being. He believes that the time will come when people
will obtain power and light from the falls, and the entire country will
be greatly benefited."

"So that is why he is called crazy, eh?"

"Yes."

"Is there really a good reason for his idea? Is there a large
waterfall?"

"Yes. I have been there several times, and consider it a good place
for a plant. The old man has curious drawings of his entire plans,
which I shall show you as he left them with me this morning. He must
have forgotten them in his excitement, as I understand he guards them
very carefully. People laugh at Crazy David for the jealous way he
protects his treasure."

"Did you say his name is David?" the stranger asked.

"Yes. David Findley, so I believe. But he is only known as 'Crazy
David' in this parish."

As Jasper uttered these words, the man lying on the cot rose suddenly
to a sitting position, and looked keenly into the face of the young man
before him as if he would read his innermost thoughts. With an
apparent effort he checked himself, and with a slight laugh resumed his
former position.

"I got worked up over the hard luck of that old man," he remarked. "It
is a downright shame that he should be called crazy, and misunderstood.
But, then, that has always been the way. Men who have done most for
their fellow men have been looked upon with suspicion, and termed fools
or madmen. May I see his drawings?"

For some time the stranger studied the rude lines old David had made
upon the paper. Not the slightest mark escaped his notice, and he
plied Jasper with numerous questions most of which the latter was
unable to answer.

"I am fond of studying human nature," the visitor at length
volunteered, as if to explain his remarkable interest in the old man,
"and I must say that this is one of the most interesting cases I have
ever come across. Here we have an old, poverty-stricken man, somewhat
weak-minded, who has the vision and the enthusiasm of youth, combined
with a child's simplicity. And he really believes that people of
capital will carry out his ideas, does he?"

"Yes, he is sure of it."

"And he has no doubts as to the final outcome?"

"No."

"This scheme gives him considerable pleasure, I suppose."

"Yes, it is his very life. It cheers him and buoys him up, and makes
him treat all discomforts as of the present, which will vanish when
once he comes into his own."

"So he e