city in ten days. Then day and night
manufacture of the Ziegler projectors--and declaration of war. Following
that, this great city of Washington, and the even greater cities of New
York and Chicago, and all, this fine land from Atlantic to Pacific,
shall become an Arvanian possession to exploit as we like!"

There was an audible "Ah!" from the score of men around the
table--broken by a voice in the main double doorway of the dining room:
"Gentlemen, your pardon, I am late."

Thorn looked at the speaker. He was a young fellow with an especially
elaborate uniform and a face that appeared weak and dissipated in spite
of the arrogant Arvanian nose. Then a bark came to Thorn's ears--and a
cold feeling to the pit of Thorn's stomach. The newcomer had brought a
dog with him!

Even as he gazed apprehensively at the dog--a rangy wolfhound--the brute
growled deep in its throat and stared at the corner by the buffet where
Thorn was instinctively trying to make himself smaller.

The dog growled again, and stalked warily toward the buffet.

"Grego, down," said his master absently. Then, to the spare man at the
head of the table: "I have been next door, talking to the American
Secretary of War. A dull fellow. Convinced, is he, that Arvania harbors
only kind thoughts for this great stupid nation. They shall be utterly
unprepared for our attack--Grego! What ails the brute?"

* * * * *

The wolfhound had evaded several outstretched hands and got to the
buffet. There it crouched and cowered, fangs showing in a snarl, eyes
reddening wickedly, while the growl rattled louder in its shaggy throat.

"Perhaps the heat has affected him," said one.

All were looking at the dog now, marveling at its odd behavior. But of
all the eyes that observed it a pair of unseen eyes watched with the
utmost agitation.

Thorn stared, almost hypnotized, at the creature. A dog! What rotten
luck! Men might be fooled by the masking invisibility, but there was no
deceiving a dog's keen nose!

The wolfhound started forward as though to leap, then settled back.
Plainly it longed to spring. Equally plainly it was afraid of the being
that so impossibly was revealed to its nostrils but not to its eyes.
Meanwhile, one tearing sweep of blunt claws or sharp fangs--and a fatal
rent would appear in Thorn's encasing shell!

The dog snapped tentatively. Thorn flattened still harder against the
wall, with discovery and death hovering