Now then, for the plot of my story, and it will pay you to do a week of listening in the next five minutes.

Awhile ago an eminent scientist, unknown to me or to my partner, Mr.Stoner, came into our office, which is at your backs, one flight up, second door to the right, and showed us an electrical device he has been working on for the last eight years.

He claimed he had it perfected and that it would indicate the presence of oil on the same principle that one mineral attracts another.

'Oil is a mineral,' said he, 'and I think I've got its magnetic complement.

I believe my invention will work.' "'I'll bet a thousand dollars it won't,' I told him.