Part 24 (2/2)
”Of course!”
”Then why not give us a land demonstration?”
”Us!” the professor mocked, his patience at an end. ”Young man, you were not invited here, and I might add that your presence irritates me! Are you in any way a.s.sociated with Mr. Johnson?”
”I am not.”
”Then kindly do not inject yourself into our negotiations.”
”The young man raises an interesting point,” Mr. Johnson interposed, frowning thoughtfully. ”Perhaps we should have a land demonstration before I pay over the money.”
”So you doubt my honesty?” the professor demanded.
”Not at all. It's only that I must be very careful before I purchase such an expensive machine. I must satisfy myself that it will do everything you claim for it.”
”You have just witnessed a successful demonstration. What more do you ask?”
”A successful water test,” Salt remarked softly, ”does not necessarily mean a successful land test.”
”I think we should have a land test,” Mr. Johnson decided. ”If you convince me that the machine will work equally well under such circ.u.mstances, I will write the check instantly.”
”A land test is impossible,” the professor said stiffly.
”But why?” inquired Mr. Johnson.
”The dangers are too great. Windows would be smashed for many miles around. Authorities would not permit such a test. Only with the greater difficulty did I obtain permission to discharge the mines under water.”
”I had not thought of that,” Mr. Johnson acknowledged. He hesitated, and it was evident that in another moment he would decide to purchase the machine without further tests.
”Mr. Johnson, I suppose you have witnessed tests made with your own mines,” Penny interposed. ”Or have they all been made with those supplied by the professor?”
The remark infuriated Mr. and Mrs. Bettenridge, as she had expected it would.
”You and this young man are trying to discredit my machine!” he exclaimed wrathfully. ”Please leave.”
”Why, certainly,” agreed Penny, but made no move to depart.
Seeds of suspicion already had been implanted in Mr. Johnson's mind.
”The young lady is right,” he said. ”I should request a test on a mine which I provide myself.”
”Ridiculous!” snapped the professor. ”The machine will work equally well on any mine.”
”Then surely you should not object to one further test?”
”The delay is unnecessary.”
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