about your hobby.”

Clinton Scott smiled.

“You are aware, of course, of the latest developments in the search for some method of releasing and controlling atomic forces,” went on the Prime Minister. “I do not profess to understand them deeply myself, but I have a general idea of what is being done and what success would imply. Professor Rudford, to whom I applied for information on the subject, tells me that such a discovery would revolutionise world conditions. You will understand of your own knowledge all that it implies, and that is why I have sent specially for you in this matter.”

“I am at the country’s service,” replied Scott.

“Now information we have received from Norway suggests very strongly that the problem has been solved,” the other said. “We have no details—nothing in fact very definite at all. But it is certain that some very queer things have been happening. And from what Professor Rudford tells me I am assured that we cannot afford to neglect them. Our ordinary men are useless for this kind of thing. Men with a considerable knowledge of scientific subjects are absolutely necessary. Otherwise matter which, properly understood, would be full of significance will be passed over as of no account and quite minor and unessential incidents will be followed up, and there would be serious waste of time. And time is valuable.”

“I agree that it is,” was the terse reply.

“I want you to go to Norway and look into the matter,” the Prime Minister went on. “Of course I will see that you get all the information we have, and you can select your own assistants.”

Clinton Scott suddenly looked grave.

“Is it known at all?” he asked. “Who is behind this—I mean who has made this discovery? You will appreciate my reason for asking. If it is the work of a genuine man of science there would be no immediate danger, though of course such an invention would upset all ideas of international relations. It is literally true, as no doubt Professor Rudford will have told you, that the nation in exclusive possession of such a secret could dominate the world. But there are one or two men in the world who, with such a secret in their possession, would be a real peril to civilisation.”

“Do you know a man named Lenart Gronvold?” asked the Premier.

Clinton Scott started visibly.

“Do you mean 

 Prev. P 63/117 next