"If you will come this way," said Pachmann, and Vard tramped after him up the stair to a room on the second floor.
The Prince was already there, standing at the window, hands in pockets, staring moodily out.
"Be seated, Mr. Vard," said Pachmann. "My dear Prince, will you not sit down?"
The Prince flung himself into a chair.
"And now, Mr. Vard," went on Pachmann, sitting down very deliberately face to face with the inventor, "our answer is ready for you."
"Very well; let me have it," snapped Vard, twitching with impatience.
"We refuse to accept your conditions."
For an instant there was silence, then Vard leaped to his feet, his face livid.
"So you have been playing with me!" he cried. "Well, I suspected it! And you shall pay! Oh, you shall pay!" and he turned blindly to the door.