HENRY DEACON 193 



succeeded you will be able to make others do 

 it," was the reply. 



While engaged on this job, Deacon came 

 into the works with a visitor, Dr. Vernon 

 Harcourt, of Oxford. Hurter was busy at 

 his pipes, and looked as black as a sweep, 

 hands and face and dress resembling those of 

 a furnace bricksetter. In this plight he was 

 introduced to Dr. Vernon Harcourt as 4< the 

 chief of my laboratory, Dr. Ferdinand 

 Hurter." Deacon doubtless was proud that 

 the most responsible men in his employ were 

 men not above soiling their hands at any 

 work that needed their doing. 



One day shortly after he came to Widnes, 

 Dr. Hurter was busy in the laboratory, 

 making some experiments in which he was 

 using bisulphide of carbon. He was carefully 

 distilling this substance and condensing it. 

 Whilst this was going on Deacon came in, 



11 What are you distilliing?" 



44 Bisulphide of carbon." 



''What for?" 



44 To save it, and to prevent being incon- 

 venienced by the smell." 



" Do you know the value of bisulphide of 

 carbon ? " 



No really I don't/' 



