"Now, will you tell us where those blueprints are, and give us an order for them?" he snarled.
"Not in the longest day you ever lived," replied the inventor firmly.
"Good for you," shouted Ned; "if we are to go to the bottom we'll go down with colors flying, Mr. Varian."
"That's right, my boy; spoken like a true jackie of Uncle Sam," said the inventor approvingly.
"Very fine, heroic and melodramatic," sneered Dave Pulsifer, "but think a moment, Henry Varian. That candle is getting shorter. In a few seconds we shall withdraw, not wishing to be present at the final act of the tragedy. Think of your wife and children——"
This time the inventor groaned, but an instant later recovered himself.
"I would rather leave them the memory of a loyal citizen and American, than give them the companionship of a coward and a traitor," he replied.
"More heroics; really, Varian, if you were going to live, you might tackle a melodrama with good success. Come on, boys. Two minutes of time are up. In three minutes more this place and those in it will be blown to pieces. Good-night and—good-by, Varian, and you too, you spying, sneaking, informing cub. If you relent, Varian, shout loud, and we shall hear you."
With this bitter fling at the Dreadnought Boy, the Pulsifers and their evil companions withdrew, Hank Harkins pausing at the door to remark:
"I guess I'm on top now, Ned Strong."