ut I am somewhat confused, even yet, in
regard to this affair. Will you please tell me, Mrs. Charleworth, what
connection you have with Mr. Kauffman, or with his--projectile?"

"Very gladly," said the lady, graciously. "I am a stockholder in this
steel company--a rather important stockholder, I believe--and while I
am not a member of the board of directors, Mr. Colton represents my
interests. Two years ago we bought the Kauffman shell, and paid
liberally for it, but Mr. Kauffman unfortunately invested his money in
a transatlantic merchant ship which was sunk, with its entire cargo, by
a German submarine. Again penniless, he began the manufacture of
suspenders, in a small way, with money I loaned him, but was not very
successful. Then he conceived the idea of a new projectile, very
effective and quite different from others. He asked our company to
finance him while he was experimenting and perfecting the new
projectile. The company couldn't undertake to do that, but I personally
financed Mr. Kauffman, having confidence in his ability. He has been
six months getting the invention made, tested and ready to submit to
government experts, and up to the present it has cost a lot of money.
However, it is now considered perfect and Mr. Kauffman has brought it
here to-night to exhibit and explain it to Mr. Colton. If Mr. Colton
approves it from a manufacturing standpoint, our company will secure an
option for the sole right to manufacture it."

"Mr. Kauffman has been in Dorfield several days," said Josie. "Why did
he not show you the projectile before?"

"I have been out of town," explained the manager. "I returned this
afternoon, especially for this interview, and made the appointment for
this evening. I am a busy man--these are war times, you know--and I
must make my evenings count as well as my days."

Josie scented ignominous defeat, but she had one more shot to fire.

"Mrs. Charleworth," she stated, with a severe look, "John Dyer, the
school superintendent, was at your house last night, in secret
conference with Mr. Kauffman and yourself."

"Oh, so you are aware of that interview?"

"Clever!" said Kauffman, "I'd no idea I was being shadowed." Then the
two exchanged glances and smiled. "It seems impossible," continued the
man, "to keep any little matter of business dark, these days, although
the war office insists on secrecy in regard to all munitions affairs
and publicity would surely ruin our chances of getting the n