“Good heavens, Ferriss!” exclaimed the inventor, as the full purport of this cleverly concocted plot burst upon him. “Are you a man or a monster?”
“A little of both,” rejoined the other complacently. “The Far Eastern nation of which I told you before needs your boat. We have contracted to get it for them. We’ll do it, too.”
“But even if I signed your papers what good would that do you?” asked Lockyer. “Who would believe you had authority?”
“Everybody,” was the calm rejoinder. “We would arrange to have you kept a prisoner till we were safe in the East with your plans and specifications. The power we have mentioned as being interested in your boat has the reputation of being a good friend to those who befriend it. They would take care that we came to no harm, no matter what steps you took after your escape.”
“But the United States——”
“Has far too much to attend to to go to war over one inventor, my friend. Besides, we have influence at Washington that you know nothing of. No, Lockyer, your best plan is to draw for us a complete set of plans, and then you are at liberty to go.”
“And let you reap the benefit of my years of work and thought?”
“We intend to pay you as I told you. Of course, we should also require a receipt from you. That receipt of payment alone would absolve us from any guilt in connection with the transaction. It would show, don’t you see, that you sold out your government willingly.”
“Great heaven!” groaned the unhappy inventor, as he saw the web being drawn more tightly about him.