Without waiting for an invitation, I seated myself on a low couch in the farther corner of the room. I felt quite cool, but I must admit that the situation was beginning to strike me as a little unpromising. Unless Latimer turned up precious soon it seemed highly probable that he would be too late. Considering the importance of getting me safely to Germany, neither von Brünig nor McMurtrie was likely to stay a minute longer than was necessary. I might, of course, refuse to go with them, but in that case the odds were that I should simply be overpowered and taken on board by force. Von Brünig himself looked a pretty tough handful to tackle, while Savaroff was about as powerful as a well-grown bullock. Once I was safe in the former's "country house" they would no doubt reckon on finding some means of bringing me quickly to reason. With a bag in one hand and a bundle of papers in the other von Brünig came back into the room. "I shall not wait," he announced curtly. "The risks are too great. Seeker and your friend must follow as best they can." "They are bound to be here in a minute," objected Savaroff. Von Brünig turned on him with an angry gleam in his blue eyes. "I shall not wait," he repeated harshly. "The future of Germany is of more importance than their convenience." McMurtrie stepped forward, serene and imperturbable as ever. "I think Mr. von Brünig is right, Savaroff," he said. "The police may have recognized the launch, and in that case it would be madness for us not to go while we have the chance. We can leave a note for the others." If Savaroff had any further objections he kept them to himself. He turned away with a shrug on his broad shoulders, while McMurtrie sat down at the table and hastily wrote a few lines which he showed to von Brünig. The other nodded his head approvingly. "That will do very well," he said. "It will be safe if any one else should find it. Seeker knows where to come to." McMurtrie put the note in an envelope which he placed in the centre of the table. "And now," he said, pushing back his chair, "the sooner we are out of this the better." I felt that if I was going to interfere the right time had now arrived. Von Brünig's reply to Savaroff had given me just the opening I needed. "One moment, gentlemen!" I said, getting up from the couch. 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."