"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 hear of any scientist possessing a secret drawn from the soul of nature that was not called 'mad' at once by his compeers and the public? I can stand THAT accusation! Pray Heaven I never get as mad as a Wall Street gambler!"
"You will, if you gamble with the lives of nations!" said Gwent.