The First Day 



"Bill" 



or copper wire should pro- 

 duce such a tremendous 

 power. Yes, you're quite 

 right — no electrical engineer 

 living knows why it should 

 be so, or what electrical power 

 is. All we really know for 

 sure is that when we do 

 given things, certain effects 

 follow. A cold motor? No 

 such thing. Yes, I remember 

 the Bidwell cold motor, stock 

 in which was sold extensively 

 some years ago but it was a 

 fake. You can't make a 

 journal that won't heat under 

 friction, however light, sooner 

 or later. Where two surfaces bear on each other, there must 

 be friction, and you'll see perpetual motion about as soon as 

 friction with out heat." 



In the smoking car, from myself: "Do any of you play 

 pedro?" 



"Haven't heard of it in years. Review the points." 



"Good," says Bill. "EUicott, you and 1 will show Art and 

 Jimmy here how to play this game." 



The game concluded, the question arises of who's going to 

 have the upper berth, lower berth, and lounge respectively 

 in the compartment set apart for the adventuring triad. Art 

 looks wistful as the lower berth is enumerated. Art is, recumbent^ 

 a bit wide midships, not to mention height and vertical displace- 

 ment. The lounge is narrow, and an upper berth means gymnas- 

 tics not becoming, not to say perspiration-provoking in one of 

 ease-seeking bigness, but he insists on drawing cards for first,, 

 second, and third choices. 



The major card falls to me. I take the upper berth on the 

 ground of having always loved the high places. William taking 

 the lower, Arthur makes the best of things, and displays a 

 notable dexterity in stowage on the lounge. 



Sleeping car nights are much alike. There is always the 



