They are the 'raw material.' They get used up.

YOUR business WOULDN'T 'pay.' And what won't 'pay' is no good to anybody in this present sort of world." Seaton, still standing erect, bent his eyes on the lean hard features of his companion with eloquent scorn.
"So! Everything must be measured and tested by money!" he said--"And yet you senators talk of reform!--of a 'new' world!--of a higher code of conduct between man and man--" "Yes, we talk"-- interrupted Gwent--"But we don't mean what we say!--we should never think of meaning it!" "'Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!'" quoted Seaton with passionate emphasis.
"Just so! The Lord Christ said it two thousand years ago, and it's true to-day! We haven't improved!" With an impatient movement, Seaton strode to the door of his hut and looked out at the wide sky,--then turned back again.

Gwent watched him critically.
"After all," he said, "It isn't as if you wanted anything of anybody.
Money is no object of yours.

If it were I should advise your selling your discovery to Morgana Royal,--she'd buy it--and, I tell you what!--SHE'D USE IT!" "Thanks!" and Seaton nodded curtly--"I can use it myself!" "True!" And Gwent looked interestedly at his dwindling Havana--"You can!" There followed a pause during which Gwent thought of the strange predicament in which the world might find itself, under the scientific rule of one man who had it in his power to create a terrific catastrophe without even "showing his hand." "Anyway, Seaton, you surely want to make something out of life for yourself, don't you ?" "What IS there to be made out of it ?" he asked.
"Well!-happiness--the physical pleasure of living--" "I AM happy"-- declared Seaton--"and I entirely appreciate the physical pleasure of living.

But I should be happier and better pleased with life if I could rid the earth of some of its mischief, disease and sorrow--" "How about leaving that to the Supreme Intelligence ?" interposed Gwent.
"That's just it! The Supreme Intelligence led me to the discovery I have made--and I feel that it has been given into my hands for a purpose.