"I may have thought something like that," he admitted. "But—"
"So that," said Hoddan, "while your debt to me cannot and should not be overlooked, nevertheless"—Hoddan put the roll into his mouth and spoke less clearly—"you feel that you should give consideration to the claims of Walden to inquire into my actions while there."
He chewed, and swallowed, and said gravely:
"And can I make deathrays?"
Don Loris brightened. He drew a deep breath of relief. He said complainingly:
"I don't see why you're so sarcastic! Yes. That is a rather important question. You see, on Walden they don't know how to. They say you do. They're very anxious that nobody should be able to. But while in unscrupulous hands such an instrument of destruction would be most unfortunate ... ah ... under proper control—"
"Yours," said Hoddan.
"Say—ours," said Don Loris hopefully. "With my experience of men and affairs, and my loyal and devoted retainers—"
"And cozy dungeons," said Hoddan. He wiped his mouth. "No."
Don Loris started violently.