Men did not surround themselves with costly apparatus only to prove a theory that had no practical value.

"He has discovered something," Blondel concluded in his mind, "if it be not the Philosopher's Stone or the Elixir of Life.

I am sure he has discovered something." And with eyes grown sharp and greedy, the magistrate raked the room.
The scholar stood thoughtful where he had paused, and did not seem to notice him.
"Then do you mean," Blondel resumed after a while, "that all your work there"-- he indicated by a nod the chemical half of the room--"has been thrown away ?" "Well----" "Not quite, I think ?" the Syndic said, his small eyes twinkling.

"Eh, Messer Basterga, not quite?
Now be candid." "Well, I would not say," Basterga answered coldly, and as it seemed unwillingly, "that I have not derived something from the researches with which I have amused my leisure.

But nothing of value to the general." "Yet something of value to yourself," Blondel said, his head on one side.
Basterga frowned, then shrugged his shoulders.