an--"

"Yes, we talk"--interrupted Gwent--"But we don't mean what we say!--we
should never think of meaning it!"

"'Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!'" quoted Seaton with passionate
emphasis.

"Just so! The Lord Christ said it two thousand years ago, and it's true
to-day! We haven't improved!"

With an impatient movement, Seaton strode to the door of his hut and
looked out at the wide sky,--then turned back again. Gwent watched him
critically.

"After all," he said, "It isn't as if you wanted anything of anybody.
Money is no object of yours. If it were I should advise your selling
your discovery to Morgana Royal,--she'd buy it--and, I tell you
what!--SHE'D USE IT!"

"Thanks!" and Seaton nodded curtly--"I can use it myself!"

"True!" And Gwent looked interestedly at his dwindling Havana--"You
can!" There followed a pause during which Gwent thought of the strange
predicament in which the world might find itself, under the scientific
rule of one man who had it in his power to create a terrific
catastrophe without even "showing his hand." "Anyway, Seaton, you
surely want to make something out of life for yourself, don't you?"

"What IS there to be made out of it?" he asked.

"Well!-happiness--the physical pleasure of living--"

"I AM happy"--declared Seaton--"and I entirely appreciate the physical
pleasure of living. But I should be happier and better pleased with
life if I could rid the earth of some of its mischief, disease and
sorrow--"

"How about leaving that to the Supreme Intelligence?" interposed Gwent.

"That's just it! The Supreme Intelligence led me to the discovery I
have made--and I feel that it has been given into my hands for a
purpose. Gwent, I am positive that this same Supreme Intelligence
expects his creature, Man, to help Him in the evolvement and work of
the Universe! It is the only reasonable cause for Man's existence. We
must help, not hinder, the scheme of which we are a part. And wherever
hindrance comes in we are bound to remove and destroy it!"

The last ash of Gwent's cigar fell to the floor, and Gwent himself rose
from his chair.

"Well, I suppose we've had our talk out"--he said; "I came here
prepared to offer you a considerable sum for your discovery--but I
can't go so far as a Government pledge. So I must leave you to it. You
know"--here he hesitated--"you know a good many people would consider
you mad--"

Seaton laughed.

"Oh, that goes without saying! Did you ever hea