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Rh the new acquisition was no good. The stuff did not move and had to be shoved on with the stirring-pole, just as in the oldest style of machine. "So it is a common swindle," Diederich cried. It was also more than twenty horsepower. "That is not in the contract. Do we have to accept it, Fischer?"

"We must not allow that," he decided, stroking his blackbearded chin with his knotted hand. For the first time Diederich looked him squarely in the face.

"Then, you can prove to me that the machine does not fulfil the terms of purchase?"

A pale smile seemed to hover around Napoleon Fischer's spare beard. "You bet," he replied. Diederich noticed the smile and said with all the more emphasis: "I'll show those people who I am!" He wrote at once in the strongest terms to Büschli & Co. in Eschweiler. The reply came by return. They could not understand his contentions, the New Patent Cylinder Machine, Maier pattern, had been installed and given a trial by several paper manufacturers, whose testimonials were enclosed. It was, therefore, out of the question for them to take it back, much less return the 2,000 marks paid on account, and the balance of the agreed purchase price must be settled forthwith. Whereupon Diederich wrote an even sharper letter than the first and threatened proceedings. Then Büschli & Co. endeavoured to pacify him, and recommended another trial. "They are afraid," said Napoleon Fischer, to whom Diederich showed the communication, and his teeth flashed. "They cannot stand a lawsuit, for their machine is not sufficiently well known." "That's right," said Diederich, "we have them at our mercy!" His heart hardened by the certainty of victory, he refused peremptorily every compromise and their offer to reduce the price. When nothing happened for several days, however, he began to feel uncomfortable. Perhaps they were waiting for him to take legal action! Perhaps they were doing so themselves! Many times a day his uncertain glance sought Napoleon Fischer, who furtively