"Ha, I will show thee," replied Edmund. "Stand not too near."
Manners had not much faith in the destructive properties of the instrument, but the command was given in such an earnest and authoritative fashion that to have refused compliance would only have caused offence. Probably, too, Edmund would not try the experiment if he expressed his scepticism, and he was curious to see it, so he retreated to the doorway to watch his movements.
"This," Edmund went on, "is to be put in the baron's room."
"Yes, but how?" asked Manners, perceiving that some sort of a remark was expected of him.
"Cannot I, who have invented it, find some means for conveying the engine there?" replied the inventor, with staggering emphasis.
Manners deferentially bowed his acquiescence, much to the amusement of
Sir Ronald.
"You must not heed his words," whispered the knight. "He is infatuated with his work. In all things else he is as timid as a mouse."
"And then," pursued the mighty alchemyst, "and then—! Nay, I will show thee, see!" and with some difficulty he forced open a little door at the side.
Both Manners and Sir Ronald moved forward to examine it, for the room was but faintly lighted and they could barely see the dim outline of the instrument.
"Go back, go back," screamed Edmund. "Ronald, I look for no treachery from thee."