COUNT D’ARTIGAS 29 \

remarked by the Principal. This was not, however, the
first time that strangers had come to visit the occupant of
Pavilion 17, for the French inventor was justly considered
the most interesting inmate of Healthful House. Never-
theless Gaydon’s attention was attracted by the singular
appearance of these two, whose nationality he could not
ascertain. Although Count d’ Artigas’ name was not
unknown to him, he had never had the opportunity of
meeting that rich gentleman during his visits to the eastern
ports, and he was not aware that the schooner Edda was
at that moment anchored off the bank at the boundary
of Healthful House.

“Gaydon,” said the director, “where is M. Roch?”

“ There,” said the keeper, pointing to a man who was
walking meditatively under the trees behind the pavilion.

“Count d’Artigas has received permission to visit
Healthful House, and he did not wish to leave without
having seen our patient who has been so much talked of
recently.”

“And he would have been still more talked of if the
Federal Government had not taken the precaution of
shutting him up in this establishment.”

«<A necessary precaution, Count.”

“Certainly, Principal. It is far better for the repose of
the world that the secret of this invention should be buried
with him.”

Gaydon looked at the Count, but did not say a single
word, and, preceding the two visitors, he led the way to
the group of trees at the end of the enclosure.