Edison drummed nervously on the table.
“If we were only dealing with a Bismarck or a von Moltke! Anyhow, unless he’s absolutely narrow and obstinate—”
“Oh, no.”
“Good! Where are the Committee of Twenty-one? In Chicago?”
“Yes.”
“And the Crown Prince too?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll be there to-morrow and—listen! We can destroy the German fleet. Widding’s invention will do it. Poor Widding! It broke his heart to see America conquered when he knew that he could save the nation if somebody would only listen to him. But nobody would.” Edison’s deep eyes burned with anger. “Thank God, I listened.”
It seemed like presumption to question Mr. Edison’s statement, yet I ventured to remind him that several distinguished scientists had declared that the airship America could not fail to destroy the German fleet.
“Pooh!” he answered. “I said the America expedition would fail. The radio-control of torpedoes is uncertain at the best because of difficulties in following the guide lights. They may be miles away, shut off by fog or waves; but this thing of Widding’s is sure.”