34 FOR THE FLAG

a marble in a small boy’s fingers, he aimed it at one of the
sand mounds, which it brought down.

He shouted with delight.

“Down! Itisdown! My explosive has destroyed the
whole thing with one blow.”

Roch rose with the light of triumph in his eyes.

“Vou sec,” said the Principal, addressing Count d’Artigas,
“the idea of his invention never leaves him.”

“And it will die with him,” said the keeper em-
phatically.

“Could you not induce him, Gaydon, to talk of his
invention, of his explosive Fulgurator, as he called it?”

“ Tf you desire me to do so, sir.”

“T do, for I think it will interest Count d’Artigas.”

“Undoubtedly,” replied the Count, and his features
kept the secret of his thoughts.

“ There is the risk of bringing on a paroxysm,” observed
the attendant. :

“You may stop the conversation when you think fit.
Say to M. Roch that a stranger wishes to treat with him
for the purchase of his Fulgurator.”

“But are you not afraid that his secret may escape
him ?” interrupted Count d’Artigas.

The words were said with such vivacity that Gaydon
could not restrain a glance of distrust, which had no effect
upon the impenetrable visitor.

“There is nothing to fear,” he answered, “and no pro-
mise will tear his secret from M. Roch, so long as the
millions he demands are not in his possession.”