Amos leaned back against the wall, his hat in his hand. The light from the eight-sided hall lamp fell on his thick-set shoulders and square, determined, honest face. The keen-eyed, blunt Vermonter's distress at the news was sincere, and heartfelt.
"Could I attend to it, Mr. Cobb?" asked Oliver.
"Perhaps so. I've got those fellows now where the hair is short, and I'm going to make 'em pay for it."
"What is it about?"
Amos Cobb took a double telegram from his pocket. It was closely written and contained a long message.
"It's about your father's patents. This telegram is from the attorneys of the Gorton--"
Oliver laid his fingers on the open telegram in Cobb's hand, and said, in a positive tone:
"He will not rob this man of his rights, Mr. Cobb."
"It's not that! It is the other way. The attorneys of the Gorton Company refuse to rob your father of HIS rights. Further, the bankers will not endorse the Gorton stock until your father's patent --I think it is No. 18,131"--and he examined the telegram closely--"yes, August 13, 1856, 18,131--is out of the way. They are prepared to pay a large price for it at once, and have asked me to see your father and arrange it on the best terms I can. The offer is most liberal. I don't feel like risking an hour's delay; that's why I'm here so late. What had I better do?"
Oliver caught Mr. Cobb's hand in his and a flash of exultant joy passed over his face as he thought of his father's triumph and all it meant to him. Then Margaret's eyes looked into his and next his mother's; he knew what it meant to them all. Then the wasted figure of his father rose in his mind, and his tears blinded him.
Amos stood watching him, trying to read his thoughts. He saw the tears glistening on Oliver's lashes, but he misunderstood the cause. Only the practical side of the situation appealed to the Vermonter at the moment. These New York men had cast discredit on his endorsement of Richard's priority in the invention and had tried to ignore them both. Now he held them tight in his grasp. Horn was a rich man.
"I'll be very quiet, Oliver," he continued, in a half-pleading tone, "and will make it as short as I can. Just let me go up. It can't hurt him"--and he laid his hand on Oliver's shoulder with a tenderness that surprised him. "I would never forgive myself if he should pass away without learning of his success. He's worked so hard."
Before Oliver could reply another low tap was heard at the door. Cobb turned the knob gently and Nathan stepped inside the hall. The old man had gone home and to bed, tired out with his ceaseless watching by Richard's bedside, and was only half dressed.
"Still with us?" he asked in trembling tones, his eyes searching Oliver's face. "Oh, thank God!
Thank God! I'll go up at once"--and he passed on toward the stairway. Amos and Oliver followed.
As Nathan's foot touched the first step Doctor Wallace's voice sounded over the bannisters.
"Oliver! Malachi! Both of you--quick!"
The three bounded noiselessly up-stairs and entered the room. Richard lay high up on the pillows, the face in shadow, his eyes closed. Margaret was still on her knees, her head on the coverlet. Mrs.
Horn stood on the other side of the bed, the same calm, fixed expression on her face, as if she was trying to read the unknowable. Dr. Wallace sat on a chair beside his patient, his fingers on Richard's pulse.
"Is he gone?" asked Oliver, stepping quickly to his father's side, his voice choking.
Dr. Wallace shook his head.
Amos Cobb drew near, and whispered in the doctor's ear. The old physician listened quietly, and nodded in assent. Then he leaned over his patient.
"Mr. Cobb has some good news for you, Richard," he said, calmly. "The bankers have recognized your patents, and are ready to pay the money--"
The dying man's eyes opened slowly.
Amos stepped in front of the doctor, and bent down close to the bed.
"It's all right, Horn--all right! They can't get along without your first patent. Here's the telegram."
He spoke with an encouraging cheeriness in his voice, as one would in helping a child across a dangerous place.
The brow of the dying man suddenly cleared; the eyes burned with their old steadiness, then the lips parted.
"Read it," he muttered. The words were barely audible.
Cobb held the paper so the dim light should fall upon it and read the contents slowly, emphasizing each word.
"Raise me up."
The voice seemed to come from his throat, as if his lungs were closed. Oliver started forward, but Cobb, being nearer, slipped his arm under the wasted figure, and with the tenderness of a woman, lifted him carefully, tucking the pillows in behind the thin shoulders for better support. Oliver sank softly to his knees beside Margaret.
Again the thin lips parted.
"Read it once more." The voice came stronger now.
Amos held the paper to the light, and the words of the telegram, like the low tick of a clock, again sounded through the hushed room.
For a brief instant the inventor's eyes sought each face in turn. As his gaze rested on Margaret and Oliver, he moved his thin white hand slowly along the coverlet, and laid it first on Oliver's and next on Margaret's head. Then, with a triumphant look lighting his face, he lifted his arms toward his wife.
"Sallie!" he called, and fell back on his pillow, lifeless.
