“Not so; by destroying warfare,” was the inventor’s reply.  “War is impious, immoral and monstrous, and not the means employed in it.  The more terrible they are, the sooner will come the millennium.  On the day when men find that no human protection, no rank, no wealth, no influential connections, nothing can shield them from destruction by hundreds of thousands, not only on the battlefield, but in their houses, within the highest fortified ramparts, they will no longer risk their country, homes, families and bodies, for causes often insignificant or dishonest.  At present, all reflecting men who believe that the divine law ought to rule the earth, should have but one thought and a single aim:  to learn the truth, speak it and impress it by all possible means wherever it is not recognized.  I am a man who has frittered away too much of his time on personal tastes and emotions, and I vow that I shall never let a day pass without meditating upon the destination whither all the world should move, and I mean to trample over any obstacle that rises before me.  The time is one when men could carouse, amuse themselves, doze and trifle—­or keep in a petty clique.  The real society will be formed of those who toil and watch, believe and govern.”

“I see, monsieur, that you cherish a hearty hatred for the enemies of the student and the worker,” said the ex-notary, not without an inexplicable bitterness, “and that you seek the suppression of the swordsman.”

“You mistake—­I hate nobody,” loftily answered Clemenceau.  “If I thought that my country would use my discovery to wage an unjust war, I declare that I should annihilate the invention.  But whatever rulers may intend, my country will never long carry on an unfair war and it is only to make right prevail that France should be furnished with irresistible power.”

While listening, Cantagnac had probably considered that raillery was not proper to treat such exaltation, for he changed his tone and noisily applauded the sentiments.

“Capital, capital! that’s what I call sensible talk!  And do you believe that I would leave a man, a patriot, in temporary embarrassment when he has discovered the salvation of our country?  Why, this house will become a sight for the world and his wife to flock unto!  I am proud that I have stood within the walls and I shall tell the domino-players of the Cafe—­but never mind that now!  To business!  Between ourselves, are you particularly fond of this house?”

“It is my only French home, where I brought my bride, where my child was born—­where the great child of my brain came forth—­”

“Enough! we can arrange this neatly.  It is my element to smooth matters over.  Something is in the air about a company to ‘work’ your minor inventions in firearms, eh? good!  I engage, from my financial connections, to find you all funds required; I shall charge twenty-five per cent. on the profits, and never interfere with your scientific department, which I do not understand, anyway.  There is no necessity of our seeing one another in the business, but I do want to put my shoulder to the wheel—­wheel of Fortune, eh? ha, ha!” and he rubbed his large hands gleefully till they fairly glowed.