“Anything less will be inadequate. We are behind the world in guns, behind the world in aircraft, behind the world in submarines. We invented the aeroplane. We invented the machine gun. We invented the iron-clad. We invented the submarine. We must lead the world in these arms of defense--not follow, the last lame duck in the march! An _inadequate_ navy no matter how great its size is worse than none. It will merely lead us into trouble and murder our defenders. War is now a merciless science. Skill, not physical courage, wins. The machine has become the master of the world--” “Please!” Waldron cried with hand uplifted in a gesture of impatience. “I know your speech by heart. It’s old. It doesn’t interest me. Come to the point. If you’ll agree as chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs to modify your bill to train and arm a million citizen soldiers, and reduce your naval programme to two battleships, four cruisers, twenty-four submarines and twenty-four aeroplanes, we can come to terms--” Vassar rose, fixed his opponent with a searching look and said: “I’ll see you in hell first--” “All right,” Waldron snapped. “I’m going to wipe you off the map. There’ll be a new chairman of your Committee when Congress meets in December--” Vassar held his enemy with a steady gaze. “You haven’t enough dirty money to buy my district, Waldron,” he answered. “We’re a humble people on the East Side, but I’ll show you that there are some things in this town that are not for sale--” A smile of contempt played about the banker’s cold lips as he rose. “I’ll be there when you make the demonstration,” he responded with careful emphasis. “You’ll excuse me now?” Vassar said politely. “Certainly. My car will drop you at any address you name.” “Thank you, I prefer the subway.” “As you like,” the metallic voice clicked. CHAPTER XI Vassar turned with a quick movement, passed into the hall and ran squarely into Virginia who was about to enter the library. “Your interview at an end so soon? I took a turn in the garden for only five minutes. I was to join your conference. You have quarreled?” “No--just agreed to fight, that’s all--” “A compromise is impossible?” “Utterly--” “I am sorry,” she answered gravely.