Dipping a twisted paper into the liquid, Cobb let fall a single drop of the acid on the explosive in the bullet; then moving toward the window, which he threw open, he struck a match and said:
“If I understand this meteorite, it will, upon the application of flame, dissipate itself in vapor, but not explode.”
“Hold, Colonel!” cried Mr. Fowler, in great alarm, as he and the President drew back. “It will explode and tear your hand into pieces.”
It was too late. Holding his hand containing the bullet well out through the window, he touched the flame to the cartridge. A slight flash from the fulminate followed, and then the meteorite disappeared in a colorless gas. Holding aloft the empty bullet, he exultingly cried:
“Was I not right when I claimed a knowledge of this explosive?”
Then Junius Cobb explained how he had discovered this compound; how he had transmitted it to the Chief of Ordnance in 1887, and the restrictions he had placed upon that office regarding the sealed packet containing the formula. Time passed, and he had been dropped for desertion, but the sealed packet still remained in the office of the Chief of Ordnance. It had been opened, and a subordinate in that office had stolen his secret, sold it to the government, and reaped immense reward and honor. But Cobb had no ill-feeling against the man; he had died long years ago; and what did this theft avail him at that moment?
“You are a wonderful man, my dear Colonel; and I believe that, in the dim past, you conceived the idea of many of our greatest inventions of to-day.”
President Craft arose from his seat as he spoke.
Thanking Secretary Fowler for his kindness, Cobb turned to the President and asked:
“Is it time to take our departure?”