THE ADVICE OF SERKO THE ENGINEER 209

some months before Count D’Artigas’, I saw you—
recognized you.”

“You?”

“J, and from that moment I promised myself that I
would have you asa travelling companion on board the
Ebba.”

I could not recall ever having come across this Serké
at Healthful House, but it is very likely that he spoke the
truth. ;

«And I hope,” I thought, “ that this fancy will one day
or other cost you dear.”

Then I said abruptly,—

“Tf Iam not mistaken, you have induced M. Roch to
surrender the secret of his Fulgurator to you?”

“Yes, Mr. Hart, for some millions. Oh, the millions
cest us only the trouble of taking them! So we have
crammed his pockets with them.”

“And of what use will they be to him, if he is
not free to take them away, and enjoy them out-
side?”

“The question does not occur to him, Mr. Hart! That
man of genius does not worry himself about the future.
He lives in the present. While yonder, in America, the
shells are being made according to his designs, he is
occupied here in manipulating the chemicals with which
he is abundantly provided. Ah, well! it is a wonderful
auto-propulsive engine, which regulates its own speed, and
increases until it arrives at its goal, thanks to the pro-
perties of a certain powder of progressive combustion !

P