With a bag in one hand and a bundle of papers in the other von Bruenig came back into the room.

“I shall not wait,” he announced curtly.  “The risks are too great.  Seeker and your friend must follow as best they can.”

“They are bound to be here in a minute,” objected Savaroff.

Von Bruenig turned on him with an angry gleam in his blue eyes.  “I shall not wait,” he repeated harshly.  “The future of Germany is of more importance than their convenience.”

McMurtrie stepped forward, serene and imperturbable as ever.

“I think Mr. von Bruenig is right, Savaroff,” he said.  “The police may have recognized the launch, and in that case it would be madness for us not to go while we have the chance.  We can leave a note for the others.”

If Savaroff had any further objections he kept them to himself.  He turned away with a shrug on his broad shoulders, while McMurtrie sat down at the table and hastily wrote a few lines which he showed to von Bruenig.  The other nodded his head approvingly.

“That will do very well,” he said.  “It will be safe if any one else should find it.  Seeker knows where to come to.”

McMurtrie put the note in an envelope which he placed in the centre of the table.

“And now,” he said, pushing back his chair, “the sooner we are out of this the better.”

I felt that if I was going to interfere the right time had now arrived.  Von Bruenig’s reply to Savaroff had given me just the opening I needed.

“One moment, gentlemen!” I said, getting up from the couch.

They all three turned in obvious surprise at the interruption.

“Well?” rapped out von Bruenig, “what is it?”

“I was under the impression,” I said, “that this new explosive of mine was to be put on the market as an ordinary commercial enterprise.”

McMurtrie rose from his chair and took a step forward.

“You are perfectly right,” he said.  “Why should you think otherwise?”

“In that case,” I replied steadily, “I should like to know what Mr. von Bruenig meant by his remark about the ‘future of Germany.’”

There was a short pause.

“Ach, Himmel!” broke out von Bruenig.  “What does it matter?  What are we wasting time for?  Tell him if he wishes.”

“Why, certainly,” said McMurtrie, smiling.  “There is no mystery about it.  I was merely keeping the matter quiet until it was settled.”  He turned to me.  “The German Government have made us a very good offer for your invention, provided of course that it will do what you claim.”

“It will do what I claim all right,” I said coolly, “but I don’t wish to sell it to the German Government.”

There was a sort of explosive gasp from von Bruenig and Savaroff, and I saw McMurtrie’s eyes narrow into two dangerous cat-like slits.

“You don’t-wish!” he repeated icily.  “May I ask why?”