The Ingenious Blackmailer
The
Ingenious Blackmailer
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.”
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