"No, no," said Clason contemptuously. "Even in a perfected state the Ray would be a child's toy compared to the Projector. This is based on our discovery that invisible light rays of a certain wave-length, if highly concentrated, destroy life--and our additional discovery that if these are synchronized with short radio waves the effect is absolutely devastating. "We obtain the desired concentration of invisible light by using a tellurium current-filter under the influence of alternate flashes of red and blue light. The projector can literally blanket vast areas with death, up to a top range of at least five hundred miles. "Just picture to yourself what this means! In a space of ten minutes two men can lay down a circle of destruction a thousand miles in diameter; or they can cut a swath five hundred miles long in any desired direction." * * * * * "Have you ever proved it?" demanded Quest skeptically. "Yes, young man, we have," snapped Clason. "Right here in the laboratory--but on a minute scale, of course. However, there's no time to demonstrate now. The point is that my brother is determined to sell if he can obtain his price for the invention. He argues that instead of bringing disaster upon the world, this machine will forever discourage war by making it too terrible for any civilized nation to consider. In spite of my opposition he has opened negotiations with an ambitious Balkan power. He may actually close the sale at any moment! "However," Clason drew a deep breath "you see this other device? Simple as it appears, it is the key to the whole situation. We can use it--you and I--to overcome Philip's will and prevent this unthinkable transaction. The two of us can do it. Alone I would be virtually helpless." "Why not have the Projector confiscated or destroyed by our own Government?" suggested Quest. "That seems to me the only safe and sure way out of the difficulty." "You simply do not understand," frowned Clason impatiently. "Philip is selling the plans and descriptions of the machine, not the machine itself. Even if this model and the larger test machine that we have built were destroyed--even if I were willing to have Philip sent to Leavenworth for life--he could still sell the Projector. "But this other invention, our Osmotic Liberator, makes it possible for me to gain control of Philip and actually _change his mind_, through the medium of an agent. I have hired you to act as my Agent, Quest, because I can see that you are a young man of unusual character and vitality. And by way of reward I can promise you both money and a brilliant future." * * * * *