Half an hour later they were re-seated, before each of them a small pile
of pamphlets, instructions, plans, blueprints.
Mayer said, "I have just one more device to bring to your attention at
this time. I wish it were unnecessary but I am afraid otherwise."
He held up for their inspection, a forty-five-caliber bullet. Jerry
Kennedy handed around samples to the merchants. They fingered them in
puzzlement.
"Honorables," Mayer said, "the barons have the use of gunpowder. Muskets
and muzzleloading cannon are available to them both for their wars
against each other and their occasional attacks upon our supposedly
independent cities. However, this is an advancement on their weapons.
This unit includes not only the bullet's lead, but the powder and the
cap which will explode it."
They lacked understanding, and showed it.