"You're right there, of course; yes. But I'm all worn out with anxiety. You said you were going to have me arrested, and nothing's happened."
"Well, I may as well tell you the truth; I meant to do so. But other people interfered."
"H'm! You know what women are. There's that daughter of mine, Elise. And she said no."
"That--that's very strange," said Rolandsen.
Mack looked at the telegrams once more. "This is excellent," he said. "Couldn't you give me some idea of the thing itself?"
Rolandsen explained a little of the process.
"That means, we're to some extent competitors," said Mack.
"Not to some extent only. From the moment I've sent off my answer, we're competitors in earnest."
"Eh?" Mack started. "What do you mean? Are you going to set up a factory yourself?"
"Yes. There's water-power higher up, beyond your place, and more of it, and easier to work."
Mack wrinkled up his forehead thoughtfully. "Good! We're competitors, then," he said.
Said Rolandsen, "That means you will lose."
But Mack, the man of power, was growing more and more offended; he was not accustomed to this sort of thing, and not disposed to put up with it.
"You're strangely forgetful, young man; you keep on forgetting that you're in my power," said he.
"Do as you please. If you lock me up now, my turn will come later, that's all."
Frederik came in. He saw at once that the two had been having words, and it annoyed him that his father did not settle this big-nosed ex-telegraph person out of hand.
Then said Rolandsen aloud, "I will make you an offer: we can take up this invention together. Make the necessary alterations in your factory, and I'll take over the management there. That's my offer--and it holds good for twenty-four hours!"
Whereupon Rolandsen strode out, leaving the telegrams with Mack.
Autumn was setting in; the wind rushing through the woods, the sea yellow and cold, and a great awakening of stars in the sky. But Ove Rolandsen had no time now for watching meteor flights, though he'd as great a fancy as ever for such things. There had been gangs of men at work on Mack's factory of late, pulling down here and setting up there, under orders from Rolandsen, who managed it all. He had settled all difficulties now, and was a man of mark.