FIVE WEEKS 193

my fellow-captive. He was alone on the opposite side,
and I wondered, as I had not seen them since the night
before, whether Ker Karraje, Serké and Spade had gone
on some expedition beyond Backcup.

I advanced towards the inventor, and before he became
aware of my presence, I examined him attentively.

His countenance was serious and thoughtful; no longer
that of a madman. He was walking slowly, with down-
cast eyes, not looking about him, and he carried under
his arm a little board with a sheet of paper stretched upon
it, on which diagrams were drawn.

Suddenly, he lifted his head, teok a ston forward, and
recognized me.

“Ah! you, Gaydon!” he cried, “I have escaped you
now! Iam free.”

He might indeed think himself free, more free at
Backcup than at Healthful House. But my presence
would naturally recall unpleasant recollections, and might
perhaps bring on a paroxysm, for he challenged me with
extraordinary excitement.

“Ves. You, Gaydon! don’t come near me! don’t come
near me! You want to catch meagain,and bring meback to
prison. Never! Here I have friends todefendme! They
are powerful, they are rich! Count d’ Artigas has commis-
sioned me. Serko the engineer is my partner. We are
going to bring out my invention. . . . We shall make the
Roch Fulgurator in this place! Be off! Be off !.”

Roch was in a frenzy. While he raised his voice, he
also waved his arms and drew packets of dollar-papers

oO