secret to the United States Government, even with the
proviso and State pledge that it was to be "used" should occasion
arise, rather than leave him to his own devices to do as he pleased
with the apparently terrific potentiality of which he alone had the
knowledge and the mastery. And while his thoughts thus buzzed in his
head like swarming bees, Manella stood regarding him in a kind of
pitiful questioning like a child with a broken toy who can not
understand "why" it is broken. As he did not speak at once she took up
the thread of conversation.

"You see how it is no use," she said. "No use to think of his ever
loving ME! But love for HIM--ah!--that I have, and that I will ever
keep in my heart!--and to save his life I would myself gladly die!"

Gwent uttered a sound between a grunt and a sigh.

"There it is! You women always run to extremes! 'Gladly die' indeed!
Poor girl, why should you 'die' for him or for any man! That's sheer
sentimental nonsense! There's not a man that ever lived, or that ever
will live, that's worth the death of a woman! That's so! Men think too
much of themselves--they've been killing women ever since they were
born--it's time they stopped a bit."

Manella's beautiful eyes expressed bewilderment.

"Killing women? Is that what they do?"

"Yes, my good girl!--that is what they do! The silly trusting creatures
go to them like lambs, and get their throats cut! In marriage or out of
it--the throat-cutting goes on, for men are made of destructive stuff
and love the sport of killing. They are never satisfied unless they can
kill something--a bird, a fox or a woman. I'm a man myself and I know!"

"YOU would kill a woman?" Manella's voice was a horrified whisper.

Gwent laughed.

"No,--not I, my child! I'm too old. I've done with love-making and
'sport' of all kinds. I don't even drive a golf-ball, in make-believe
that it's a woman I'm hitting as fast and far as I can. Oh, yes!--you
stare!--you are wondering why, if I have such ideas, I should suggest
love-making and marriage to YOU,--well, I don't actually recommend
it!--but I'm rather thinking more of your 'god' than of you. You might
possibly help him a bit--"

"Ah, I am not clever!" sighed Manella.

"No--you're not clever--thank God for it! But you're devoted--and
devotion is sometimes more than cleverness." He paused, reflectively.
"Well, I'll have to go away tomorrow--it wouldn't be any use my staying
on here. In fact, I'd rather be