"I think I follow you"--said Gwent, slowly--"But now, as regards this Supreme Intelligence, I suppose you will admit that the plan of creation is a dual sort of scheme--that is to say 'male and female created He them'?"
"Why, of course!" and Seaton smiled--"The question is superfluous!"
"I asked it," went on Gwent--"because you seem to eliminate the female element from your life altogether. Therefore, so I take it, you are not at your full strength, either as a scientist or philosopher. You are a kind of eagle, trying to fly high on one wing. You'll need the other! There, don't look at me in that savage way! I'm merely making my own comments on your position,--you needn't mind them. I want to get out of the tangle-up of things you have suggested. You fancy it would be easy to get the United States Government to purchase your discovery and pledge themselves to use it on occasion for the complete wiping out of a nation,--any nation--that decided to go to war,--and, failing their acceptance, or the acceptance of any government on these lines, you purpose doing the deed yourself. Well!--I can tell you straight away it's no use my trying to negotiate such a business, The inhumanity of it is to palpable."
"What of the inhumanity of war?" asked Seaton.
"That PAYS!" replied Gwent, with emphasis--"You don't, or won't, seem to recognise that blistering fact! The inhumanity of war pays everybody concerned in it except the fellows who fight to order. They are the 'raw material.' They get used up. YOUR business WOULDN'T 'pay.' And what won't 'pay' is no good to anybody in this present sort of world."
Seaton, still standing erect, bent his eyes on the lean hard features of his companion with eloquent scorn.
"So! Everything must be measured and tested by money!" he said--"And yet you senators talk of reform!--of a 'new' world!--of a higher code of conduct between man and man--"
"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.