That I am the legal assignee of all the patents originally
issued to Paul Benedict, which I have used and am now using. I hold
his assignment in the desk on which I write this letter, and it
stands duly recorded in Washington, though, from my ignorance of the
law, it has only recently been placed upon the books in the Patent
Office.
"Permit me to say, in closing, that, as I bear you no malice, I will
show you the assignment at your pleasure, and thus relieve you from
the danger of entering upon a conspiracy to defraud me of rights
which I propose, with all the means at my disposal, to defend.
"Yours, ROBERT BELCHER."
Mr. Belcher read over this letter with great satisfaction. It seemed to
him very dignified and very wise. He had saved his ten thousand dollars
for a while, at least, and bluffed, as he sincerely believed, his
dreaded antagonist.
Mr. Balfour did more than to indulge in his professional smile, over the
frank showing of the General's hand, and the voluntary betrayal of his
line of defence. He filed away the note among the papers relating to the
case, took his hat, walked across the street, rang the bell, and sent up
his card to Mr.
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