84. FOR THE FLAG

a

me, then the doctor would not have been called in, the
door of the pavilion would have been closed, and the
attempt would have failed.

As for the interest to be served by the abduction of
Roch, whether by a private individual or a European
State, that needs no discussion. But.on this point I may
rest fully assured, no one can succeed where I have
failed for fifteen long months. In the present state of his
intellect every effort to wring his secret from him will
fail. In truth, his condition can only grow worse, his
madness can only become complete, even on points which
until now have remained clear to him.

However, let me leave Thomas Roch for the present
and return to myself, and what I can plainly state.

After many rockings the boat was set in motion by the
action of oars. The passage scarcely lasted a minute.
Then a slight shock was felt; the boat was alongside of a
ship. There was noise and excitement—talking, ordering,
and working. Under my muffling, and without -under-
standing anything, I could hear a confused murmuring of
voices, which lasted for five or six minutes.

The only thought in my mind was that I was about to
be transhipped from the boat to the vessel to which it
belonged, and that I should be shut down in the hold
until the said vessel got out to sea. While she was in
Pamlico Sound, it is evident that neither the patient nor
his attendant could be allowed to appear on deck.

Then, still gagged, I was seized by the shoulders and
legs. My impression was, not that the arms lifted me