258 FOR THE FLAG

“Explain to me what happened, Mr. Hart.”

Instead of answering, I thought I would put questions.

“ How is Roch?” I asked.

“In good health, Mr. Hart. What happened?” he®
repeated, imperatively.

“First tell me,’ I said, “what has become of—the
others.” -

“What others?” replied the engineer; and he was
beginning to look angry.

“The men-who flung themselves upon me and upon
M. Roch; the men who gagged us, bore us away, shut us
up, I don’t even know where !.”

I thought, upon reflection, it would be best to pretend
that I had been surprised that night by a sudden attack,
during which I had no time either to collect myself or to
recognize my assailants.

“You will know soon enough what happened to them,”
replied. my interlocutor, “ but now I want to know how all
this came to pass.”

His voice took a threatening tone as he repeated his
question for the third time, and I knew he suspected me.
Yet, for him to be in a condition to accuse me of having
intercourse with the outside the keg must have fallen into
Ker Kerraje’s hands. But that had not happened, for it
had been received by the Bermuda authorities, and was in
their hands. Such an accusation could not, therefore, be
founded on anything serious.

I contented myself then with relating how, about eight
o'clock, the night before, I was walking on the banks,