"Why, of course, that is obvious. It has been, as you said, my life work. Naturally, I wish to see its full fruition." "Exactly; and Pulsifer Brothers are going to help you. You have heard of Baron Von----" To Ned's disappointment, the elder Pulsifer's oily voice sank to a mere whisper, and the lad could not catch the name the gun manufacturer breathed. "Of course, he----" "Is at the present time in Washington. Ah, Mr. Varian, there is a genius. He is actually engaged, or reported to be--it serves his purpose just as well--to one of our wealthiest women, and yet all the time his wonderful mind is plotting, planning, scheming for his country. Of course, I tell you this under the pledge of secrecy we exacted from you before leaving the banquet hall?" "That goes without saying; but you were going to remark?" "That the baron," again the name was omitted, "came armed with letters to us, and we have consented to transact this business for him. I need scarcely tell you, after having promised this much--that the baron's mission to this country is to acquire the formula of Chaosite; and not only that, but to take back with him the blueprints and specifications of the Varian breech-block and explosion-absorbing machinery, without which the other would be useless." "The baron is here for that purpose?" The inventor seemed deeply interested. He thoughtfully inhaled long puffs of his cigar and expelled the smoke slowly. The Pulsifers were watching him narrowly, without seeming to do so. His attitude, it appeared, puzzled them as much as it did Ned, watching from his leafy bower. In the case of the Dreadnought Boy, however, his mind was practically made up. Varian was prepared to sell his secret to a foreign power--possibly for use against his own country. He was, or so Ned judged the situation, only awaiting the naming of a price. "Yes, Mr. Varian, I will not conceal anything from you. We will be perfectly frank," went on Pulsifer. "The baron is here solely for that purpose, cleverly as he has masked the object of his visit. He has declared through the papers that he is here to study our society and write a book about it. I need scarcely add that the humorous interviews with him printed in the New York dailies--which have made him appear in a clownish light--have aided his plans tremendously." "How long has this--this--baron been here?" "Oh, but a short time. But, as you will have gathered, he has not let the grass grow under his feet." "So it would seem," agreed Varian, with a curious, dry intonation.