They all three turned in obvious surprise at the interruption.
"Well?" rapped out von Brünig, "what is it?"
"I was under the impression," I said, "that this new explosive of mine was to be put on the market as an ordinary commercial enterprise."
McMurtrie rose from his chair and took a step forward.
"You are perfectly right," he said. "Why should you think otherwise?"
"In that case," I replied steadily, "I should like to know what Mr. von Brünig meant by his remark about the 'future of Germany.'"
There was a short pause.
"Ach, Himmel!" broke out von Brünig. "What does it matter? What are we wasting time for? Tell him if he wishes."
"Why, certainly," said McMurtrie, smiling. "There is no mystery about it. I was merely keeping the matter quiet until it was settled." He turned to me. "The German Government have made us a very good offer for your invention, provided of course that it will do what you claim."
"It will do what I claim all right," I said coolly, "but I don't wish to sell it to the German Government."