An Inventor went to a King and was granted an audience, when the following conversation ensued:
Inventor.--"May it please your Majesty, I have invented a rifle that discharges lightning."
King.--"Ah, you wish to sell me the secret."
Inventor.--"Yes; it will enable your army to overrun any nation that is accessible."
King.--"In order to get any good of my outlay for your invention, I must make a war, and do so as soon as I can arm my troops--before your secret is discovered by foreign nations. How much do you want?"
Inventor.--"One million dollars."
King.--"And how much will it cost to make the change of arms?"
Inventor.--"Fifty millions."
King.--"And the war will Cost--?"
Inventor.--"But consider the glory and the spoils!"
King.--"Exactly. But if I am not seeking these advantages? What if I decline to purchase?"
Inventor.--"There is no economy in that. Though a patriot, I am poor; if my own country will not patronise me, I must seek a market elsewhere."
King (to Prime Minister).--"Take this blackmailer and cut off his head."