50 FOR THE FLAG

already half asleep, and then wait to set upon Gaydon
and secure him?

But the keeper would lose no time in returning, and,
missing his charge, he would seek him, he would shout,
raise an alarm—the doctor would run back immediately ;
the whole staff of Healthful House would be astir. The
trespassers would not have time to reach the lower gate,
to get out and lock it after them. .

But Spade had no leisure to reflect on the subject.
The sound of footsteps on the gravel announced that
Gaydon was coming back to the pavilion. It was better
to fall upon him, ‘stifle his cries before he could give the
alarm, make it impossible for him to defend himself. ...
With four, or even five, he would be overpowered imme-
diately. That done, the Captain would proceed to the
capture of the inventor under the most favourable condi-
tions, for the unfortunate man would net know what was
happening.

Meanwhile Gaydon appeared from behind the trees, and
was advancing towards the steps. But the moment he
put his foot on the first step the four men flung them-
selves upon him, stretched him on the ground without
giving him the chance of uttering a cry, gagged him
with a handkerchief, covered his eyes with a bandage,
and bound his arms and legs so tightly that he was as
helpless as a corpse.

Two of the sailors remained at his side while Captain
Spade and the others proceeded into the room.

It was just as the Captain conjectured, Roch was in