THE ADVICE OF SERKO THE ENGINEER 219

“If God grants it to you, you wretches!” I thought, as
I pressed my hand upon my heart, which was beating
violently. Yet, except by an immediate intervention of
Providence, what can I hope for ?

They changed the subject, and Ker Karraje remarked,—

* Now that we know the composition of the explosive,
Serké, Roch must be made to reveal the composition of
the deflagrator, at any price.”

“That is absolutely necessary,” the engineer replied,
“and I am doing my best to induce him. Unfortunately,
he refuses to discuss it. However, he has already pro-
duced some drops of this deflagrator, which served to test
the explosive; and he will supply us with more when we
want to begin the excavation.”

‘* But—-for the expeditions at sea?”’ Ker Karraje asked.

“ Have patience—we shall end by having his Fulgurator
all complete in our hands.”

“ Are you sure, Serko?”

‘Sure ?>—by paying the price, Ker ikearrenee.

The interview ended with these words, and the two men
went on without having seen me—fortunately. Serko
had to a certain extent undertaken my defence, but
Count d’Artigas appeared to be animated with = less
benevolent intentions towards me. On the least suspicion
I shall be flung into the lagoon, and if I get through the
tunnel it will only be as a corpse carried out by the
running tide.

August 21st.—The next day Serké came to reconnoitre
the spot most suitable for opening the passage, so that its