Bates shifted uneasily. He shrugged.
"It's too hypothetical. And yet—of course it's absurd—yet if the thing could happen, I think I'd stick with Colcord."
"In other words"—Simec's voice now had a sibilant hiss—"if you could end war through your death you'd be willing to die—now, or at any specified time?"
"If you're talking to me," said Colcord, "I'm on record. Those who know me well know I don't have to say a thing twice."
"I was talking to Mr. Bates," replied the inventor. "He seemed doubtful."
"Well, I'm not now," retorted the writer sharply. "I'm with Nick absolutely."
Doctor Allison was shaking his head.
"Theoretically, I would make the same assertion," he confessed, "but I wish to be honest; I don't know whether I could do it or not."
"Neither do I," said Dane. "A certainty like that and taking a chance on the battlefield are two different things. What do you say, Latham; you've been through the mill?"
"Well, you know," shrugged the soldier, "I fancy I'm a bit hardened. I'd like to see the thing through now. We've gone so far, don't you know."