"I have not got them," replied the inventor, in a low, shaky voice.
"You lie!"
It was a sure indication of Mr. Varian's pitiable condition that he made no move or spoke no word at the insult.
"You searched my pockets before you forced that stuff over my face," he breathed. "You know that I have not got them."
"Again I say you lie. You were consulting with Captain Dunham, of the Dreadnought Manhattan, earlier this evening. You were seen to show him the papers, and explain some of the points of the test which is to be made of your gun shortly. Come, we don't want to be unnecessarily rough with you. Are you going to give the papers up?"
"No!"
The answer snapped out like the crack of a whip.
Ned noted with satisfaction that the inventor's former fire and decision seemed to be returning.
"Then we must search you. Men——"