Penny was tempted to ask the man if he considered it patriotic to try to obtain control of a machine in the hope of selling it to the government at a high profit to himself. But she wisely remained silent.
Salt, however, had a few pointed remarks to offer.
“How come,” he observed, “that if this invention is so remarkable, the Navy hasn’t already snapped it up?”
Professor Bettenridge froze him with a glance. “Young man,” he said cuttingly, “you evidently do not understand how government business is conducted. Negotiations take months to complete. My wife and I need cash, so for that reason, we are willing to sell the machine quickly.”
“Yesterday I understood you to say that Navy men were ready to complete the deal,” Penny interposed innocently. “Did they change their minds?”
“Certainly not!” Professor Bettenridge’s dark eyes flashed, and only by great effort did he maintain control of his temper. “You understand that while their recommendation would eventually be acted upon, a sale still would take many months to complete.”
“Will your machine explode mines on land as well as in the water?” Salt inquired.
“Of course!”
“Then why not give us a land demonstration?”
“Us!” the professor mocked, his patience at an end. “Young man, you were not invited here, and I might add that your presence irritates me! Are you in any way associated with Mr. Johnson?”