Igo FOR THE FLAG

however, as the so-called Count d’Artigas had perhaps
expected.

I looked straight into his eyes, which were flashing, and
he did not wince. I had crossed my arms, following his
example. Yet he was master of my life. It needed only
a sign from him, and a pistol shot would stretch me at his
feet. Then my body, thrown into the lagoon, would be
carried through the tunnel far away to sea.

After that scene I was left free as before. No measure
was taken against me. I may walk about among the
pillars to the farthest extremities of the cavern, which, it is
only too evident, posseses no other exit but the tunnel.

When I had regained my cell at the end of the Bee-
hive, a prey to the reflections suggested by this new
situation, I said to myself,—

“Ker Karraje may know that Iam Simon Hart, but, at
least, he shall never find out that I am aware of the exact
position of the island of Backcup.”

As for the project of confiding Roch to my care, I think
Count d’Artigas never contemplated it seriously, seeing
that my identity was known to him. I regret this, ina
certain sense, for it is inevitable that great pressure will be
‘brought to bear on the inventor. Serko will employ every
possible means to ascertain the composition of the explo-
sive and the deflagrator of which he will make such an
-appalling use in his future piracies.

During the fortnight that followed I never once saw my
old patient. Noone, as I have said,interfered with mein my
daily walks. With the material side of existence I had