I bit my lip savagely. How was it that Mabel, my dear, beloved wife, had allied herself with that pair of adventurers? What could have been the story told to her to induce her to become the catspaw of men of that stamp? It was on the tip of my tongue to tell the great steel magnate that he had purchased a secret which did not belong to the seller, and that the "Professor Greer" he knew was not the real discoverer. But I hesitated. Before I spoke I would unmask this impostor and his "agent," Kershaw Kirk. A word from me to this shrewd, hard-headed man of business, and the two would, I felt assured, find themselves in the hands of the police. Yes, I now held the trump card. At any moment the pair might drive up to pay their promised visit to Sir Mark. And when they did, what an awkward surprise would await them! I laughed within myself when I realised how innocently they would fall into my vengeful hands. So communicative and pleasant was the bald-headed man that I went one step further, daring to ask: "I presume the price your firm paid for the secret of the new process was a substantial one?" "A very large one," he replied. "A big sum down, as well as a handsome royalty. This must be the second fortune which Greer has made. He has received a lot of money for his process of hardening armour-plates. The Admiralty use only plates hardened by the Greer process, for here, as in many other things, England is still ahead of Germany." "Have you ever been to the Professor's house in London?" I asked. "Never. He has, however, invited me to dine there next week." "Next week!" I cried. "Then, of course, you'll go? You'll probably find Kershaw Kirk there." "Yes," he laughed; "most probably. He's a strange man--isn't he?--and most influential." "He's certainly strange, but as regards his influence, I know nothing," was my quick reply. "Why, my dear sir, his influence is enormous! He can go direct to quarters where we are entirely debarred!" declared my companion, as I sat back in the chair listening to these revelations. "How? I don't follow you." "Well," he declared, "to me, the reason of Kirk's influence is a complete mystery, but it has been conclusively proved more than once that he has the _entree_ to the highest quarters, and the ear of the authorities." I laughed. "I suppose he has misled you into the belief that he has, Sir Mark. He's a boaster--like many other men of his stamp." "He's a boaster and a trifle eccentric, I admit. Yet I have myself had experience of his undoubted influence. He's in some position of great trust." "There, I fear, I must differ, Sir Mark. I happen to know him well, and I think one day ere long you'll discover that his powers are merely imaginary."