"You personally prevented the signing of the compact?"
"I personally caused the destruction of the compact after several
signatures had been attached," Mr. Grimm amended. "Throughout I have
acted under the direction of Mr. Campbell, of course."
"You were in very grave personal danger?" the president went on.
"It was of no consequence," said Mr. Grimm simply.
The president glanced at Mr. Campbell and the chief shrugged his
shoulders.
"You are certain, Mr. Grimm," and the president spoke with great
deliberation, "you are certain that the representatives of the Latin
countries have not met since and signed the compact?"
"I am not certain--no," replied Mr. Grimm promptly. "I am certain,
however, that the backbone of the alliance was broken--its only excuse
for existence destroyed--when they permitted me to learn of the wireless
percussion cap which would have placed the navies of the world at their
mercy. Believe me, gentlemen, if they had kept their secret it would
have given them dominion of the earth. They made one mistake," he added
in a most matter-of-fact tone. "They should have killed me; it was their
only chance.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182