"I shall descend upon England with an army of five millions of men," said the dark man, his eyes flashing, "and burn all her cities and towns."
"That will be rather severe, won't it?" asked Ben.
"She deserves it; but I may do worse."
"How can that be?"
"Do you see that man over on the other side of the table—the short, red-haired man?"
"Yes, I see him."
"He is a chemist and has invented a compound a thousand times more powerful than dynamite. I am negotiating for it, and, if I succeed, I mean to blow the whole island out of the water. What do you think of that, eh?" he continued, triumphantly.
"I think in that case I shall keep away from England," answered Ben, keeping as straight a face as he could.
"Ah, you will do well."
When dinner was over, the boarders passed out of the room, Ben among them. He was destined not to go out quietly.