204 FOR THE FLAG

the subject of conversation was I can ‘guess. I took up
my position about twenty paces away; this enabled me to
study my ex-patient.

His eyes were shining, his face was bright, his features
were transformed as the engineer answered his questions.
Presently he hurried to the jetty in order to reach the
tug.

Serké followed him, and they both stopped on the
brink.

The crew, who'were busy in unloading the cargo, had
just placed ten fair-sized cases on the rocks.

The covers of these cases bore a special brand in red
letters. Roch examined these with the minutest attention.

Serké then gave orders for the cases to be carried over
to the storehouse on the left bank. The transport was
immediately effected by a boat.

I believe these chests to contain the substances which
produce, on being mixed, both the explosive and the
deflagrator. As for the shells, they doubtless have been
ordered at some works in America. When they are
finished, the schooner will go and fetch them.

So for once the #4ba has not returned with stolen
goods; this time she is not guilty of fresh acts of piracy.
But Ker Karraje is going to be armed with terrible power
for the offensive and defensive at sea !

If the inventor is to be believed, his Fulgurator is
capable of destroying the terrestrial spheroid by one
explosion. Who knows whether he may not attempt it
some day?