"That's what I'm aiming for," said Uncle Brian. "If this apparatus can be perfected and conveyed to England, then the greatest weapon Rioguay possesses--one that I have forged, although at the time ignorant of the fact--will be broken. Not only that; the aerial menace with which the anti-battleship experts support their theories--poison gas and incendiary bombs raining from the blue sky--will be simply eliminated. Wars of the future--and I am convinced that while the world exists wars are simply bound to take place--will be conducted on more or less straight lines, without involving a holocaust of the helpless non-combatant inhabitants of the belligerent countries. Tanks, armoured cars, and in fact all modern inventions for war relying upon the magneto--the heart of the petrol engine--will be rendered useless, and fighting will once more resume its former status--a contest of manpower." "Then you don't believe in the theory that war will be so terrible, so scientifically brutal, that nations will be afraid to wage battle?" "No, I don't," replied Uncle Brian. "It will only be an additional inducement for small nations to defy their greater neighbours. The primal instinct can never be destroyed, but the means of waging war ought to be controlled. According to the prophets, wars of the future will resemble a prize fight with poisoned rings hidden in the pugilists' gloves." "Supposing, as is quite possible," objected Peter, "this invention of yours is perfected? What if there's an antidote--what then?" Uncle Brian shrugged his shoulders--a habit he had acquired from his Rioguayan neighbours. "That's what I am dreading," he replied. "Meanwhile, I'm going ahead with this gadget. Now you see why I'm keen on your flying. Obviously, I couldn't experiment upon a machine in charge of a Rioguayan pilot. He'd smell a rat. But I can try it in a flying-boat piloted by you, even if there is a crew on board. There would be no danger, since I can control the rays before you are obliged to make a forced landing. I'll see Jaurez in the morning and ask him when you will be sufficiently trained to take charge. We'll give you a week's practice from then and by that time I'll be ready for the big test. Are you game?" "Rather!" replied Peter. They spent another hour overhauling the apparatus, Uncle Brian carefully explaining the nature and use of the various component parts until his nephew had a clear and comprehensive insight into the mysteries of the new anti-aircraft device. Then little Timothy was released from his box to resume his duties of guardian of the experimental room, and Brian Strong and his nephew, having locked the door, returned to the house.