ll-to-do and they poor.

"I couldn't find any system of government that I was convinced would
remove the economic inequalities that were the root of the trouble. So I
began to think about sources of wealth. You can see how my mind fastened
first on machinery, then on power, then on quantity and accessibility of
power; then solar heat."

McGinnis nodded, then smiled. "You're a damn queer inventor. What do you
expect to get out of it?"

"All any man can get on the physical side out of anything is a living,"
replied Roger. "What I am getting and expect to have more of, is some
great adventures."

McGinnis smoked for a while and said, "If I were twenty-five instead of
seventy, I'd look at it as you do. Being seventy I have to say to you,
me boy, that though some day you may work out a practical plant for hot
countries, you'll never solve the labor problem. As long as human nature
exists we'll have social inequalities. But, after all, as long as you
contribute something real to the world in the way of a power idea, devil
a bit does it matter what motive put you at the job."

Roger smoked in silence.

"Had any encouragement in Chicago?" asked the older man.

"Not a bit," replied Roger, cheerfully. "But the trip has done me good.
I've learned that I can't sell an idea. I've got to sell a working
plant."

"Right you are! And with the patent situation fully covered. Those
drawings of yours are full of interesting suggestions for makers of any
kind of engines. Philanthropic of you to show them about Chicago."

"By Jove!" exclaimed Roger, with a startled air. "I guess I'd better
beat it back to Eagle's Wing until I get out of swaddling clothes. I
supposed the firm that would take this up would take care of the
patents. I don't know anything about patents myself."

"Better learn," said McGinnis. "Many of your ideas are clever and need
protection."

Roger laughed ruefully. "I thought," he confessed, "that I'd have the
thing marketed in a couple of months."

"Listen," said the old man. "On the average the man who has an invention
that is of fundamental significance gives his life to perfecting and
marketing it, then dies hungry. Do you get me?"

"But there are exceptions, aren't there?" insisted Roger.

"Yes, but no such pipe dream as you have there," pointing to the
drawings, "could be an exception."

"Would you advise me to give it up?" Roger asked curiously.

"I would not. That's your job. Civilization owes its