Mornay's new railway (Judge Carcasson was behind that)
which would keep his saw-mill working twenty-four hours in the day for
six months.
"I like his pluck, but still, ten to one, he loses," remarked M. Mornay
to Judge Carcasson. "He is an unlucky man, and I agree with Napoleon
that you oughtn't to be partner with an unlucky man."
"Yet you have had to do with Monsieur Jean Jacques," responded the aged
Judge.
M. Mornay nodded indulgently.
"Yes, without risk, up to the burning of the mill. Now I take my
chances, simply because I'm a fool too, in spite of all the wisdom I see
in history and in life's experiences. I ought to have closed him up, but
I've let him go on, you see."
"You will not regret it," remarked the Judge. "He really is worth it."
"But I think I will regret it financially. I think that this is the last
flare of the ambition and energy of your Jean Jacques. That often
happens--a man summons up all his reserves for one last effort. It's
partly pride, partly the undefeated thing in him, partly the gambling
spirit which seizes men when nothing is left but one great spectacular
success or else be blotted out.
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