“Oh, just a by-product made in the manufacture of sulphuric acid,” answered Kennedy airily, adding, as if to change the subject: “I want you to go with me to-night. I told Poissan I was a professor in the university and that I would bring one of our younger trustees, the son of the banker, T. Pierpont Spencer, who might put some capital into his scheme. Now, Jameson, while I'm finishing up my work here, run over to the apartment and get my automatic revolver. I may need it to-night. I have communicated with Andrews, and he will be ready. The demonstration will take place at half-past-eight at Poissan's laboratory. I tried to get him to give it here, but he absolutely refused.”
Half an hour later I rejoined Craig at his laboratory, and we rode down to the Great Eastern Life Building.
Andrews was waiting for us in his solidly furnished office. Outside I noted a couple of husky men, who seemed to be waiting for orders from their chief.
From the manner in which the vice-president greeted us it was evident that he was keenly interested in what Kennedy was about to do. “So you think Morowitch's deal was a deal to purchase the secret of diamond-making?” he mused.
“I feel sure of it,” replied Craig. “I felt sure of it the moment I looked up Poissan and found that he was a manufacturer of electric furnaces. Don't you remember the famous Lemoine case in London and Paris?”
“Yes, but Lemoine was a fakir of the first water;” said Andrews. “Do you think this man is, too?”
“That's what I'm going to find out to-night before I take another step,” said Craig. “Of course there can be no doubt that by proper use the electric furnace will make small, almost microscopic diamonds. It is not unreasonable to suppose that some day someone will be able to make large diamonds synthetically by the same process.”
“Maybe this man has done it,” agreed Andrews. “Who knows? I'll wager that if he has and that if Morowitch had bought an interest in his process Kahan knew of it. He's a sharp one. And Mrs. Morowitch doesn't let grass grow under her feet, when it comes to seeing the main chance as to money. Now just supposing Mr. Morowitch had bought an interest in a secret like that and supposing Kahan was in love with Mrs. Morowitch and that they—”
“Let us suppose nothing, Mr. Andrews,” interrupted Kennedy. “At least not yet. Let me see; it is now ten minutes after eight. Poissan's place is only a few blocks from here. I'd like to get there a few minutes early. Let's start.”
As we left the office, Andrews signalled to the two men outside, and they quietly followed a few feet in the rear, but without seeming to be with us.