An Antidote

　　AN Inventor went to a King and was granted an audience, when the

　　following conversation ensued:

　　INVENTOR. - "May it please your Majesty1, I have invented a rifle

　　that discharges lightning."

　　KING. - "Ah, you wish to sell me the secret."

　　INVENTOR. - "Yes; it will enable your army to overrun any nation

　　that is accessible."

　　KING. - "In order to get any good of my outlay2 for your invention,

　　I must make a war, and do so as soon as I can arm my troops -

　　before your secret is discovered by foreign nations. How much do

　　you want?"

　　INVENTOR. - "One million dollars."

　　KING. - "And how much will it cost to make the change of arms?"

　　INVENTOR. - "Fifty millions."

　　KING. - "And the war will Cost - ?"

　　INVENTOR. - "But consider the glory and the spoils!"

　　KING. - "Exactly. But if I am not seeking these advantages? What

　　if I decline to purchase?"

　　INVENTOR. - "There is no economy in that. Though a patriot3, I am

　　poor; if my own country will not patronise me, I must seek a market

　　elsewhere."

　　KING (to Prime Minister). - "Take this blackmailer4 and cut off his

　　head."