“Arguments,” repeated the Honorable William Lender contemptuously. “What kind of arguments?”
“Political arguments. Mayoralty, to be specific. To be more specific still, arguments showing why you should drop out of the race.”
“A pin-feather reformer, eh?”
The politician turned to meet Average Jones’ steady gaze and mildly inquiring smile.
“Do you—er—know anything of submarine mines, Mr. Linder?” drawled the visitor.
“Huh?” returned the Honorable William Linder, startled.
“Submarine mines,” explained the other., “Mines in the sea, if you wish words of one syllable.”
The lids of the Honorable Linder contracted.
“You’re in the wrong joint,” he said, “this ain’t the Naval College.”
“Thank you. A submarine mine is a very ingenious affair. I’ve recently been reading somewhat extensively on the subject. The main charge is some high explosive, usually of the dynamite type. Above it is a small jar of sulphuric acid. Teeth, working on levers, surround this jar. The levers project outside the mine. When a ship strikes the mine, one or more of the levers are pressed in. The teeth crush the jar. The sulphuric acid drops upon the main charge and explodes it. Do you follow me.”