CHAPTER XI.
FIVE WEEKS.

THE situation is clear. Ker Karraje knows who I am.
He knew me when he set about the double abduction of
Thomas Roch and his keeper.

How did this man find out what I had successfully
hidden from the whole staff of Healthful House? How
did he know that a French engineer was acting as keeper
to Thomas Roch? I cannot tell, but so it was.

Evidently the Count possessed means of information
which must have cost him dear, but have brought him
great profit. Besides, an individual of his stamp does
not consider expense when it is a question of attaining
his end.

Henceforth it is this Ker Karraje, or rather, his
accomplice the engineer. Serké, who is to replace me
as the inventor’s keeper. Will their efforts be more
successful than mine? God grant that it may not be
so, and that a great misfortune may be spared to the
‘civilized world |

Idid not reply to Ker Karraje’s last sentence, which
struck me like a bullet fired point blank. I did not fall,