<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4>
<h4>COUNT D’ARTIGAS.</h4>
<p>Just who was this Count d’Artigas? A Spaniard? So his name would appear to
indicate. Yet on the stern of his schooner, in letters of gold, was the name
<i>Ebba</i>, which is of pure Norwegian origin. And had you asked him the name
of the captain of the <i>Ebba</i>, he would have replied, Spade, and would
doubtless have added that that of the boatswain was Effrondat, and that of the
ship’s cook, Helim—all singularly dissimilar and indicating very different
nationalities.</p>
<p>Could any plausible hypothesis be deducted from the type presented by Count
d’Artigas? Not easily. If the color of his skin, his black hair, and the easy
grace of his attitude denoted a Spanish origin, the <i>ensemble</i> of his
person showed none of the racial characteristics peculiar to the natives of the
Iberian peninsula.</p>
<p>He was a man of about forty-five years of age, about the average height, and
robustly constituted. With his calm and haughty demeanor he resembled an Hindoo
lord in whose blood might mingle that of some superb type of Malay. If he was
not naturally of a cold temperament, he at least, with his imperious gestures
and brevity of speech, endeavored to make it appear that he was. As to the
language usually spoken by him and his crew, it was one of those idioms current
in the islands of the Indian Ocean and the adjacent seas. Yet when his maritime
excursions brought him to the coasts of the old or new world he spoke English
with remarkable facility, and with so slight an accent as to scarcely betray his
foreign origin.</p>
<p>None could have told anything about his past, nor even about his present
life, nor from what source he derived his fortune,—obviously a large one,
inasmuch as he was able to gratify his every whim and lived in the greatest
luxury whenever he visited America,—nor where he resided when at home, nor where
was the port from which his schooner hailed, and none would have ventured to
question him upon any of these points so little disposed was he to be
communicative. He was not the kind of man to give anything away or compromise
himself in the slightest degree, even when interviewed by American
reporters.</p>
<p>All that was known about him was what was published in the papers when the
arrival of the <i>Ebba</i> was reported in some port, and particularly in the
ports of the east coast of the United States, where the schooner was accustomed
to put in at regular periods to lay in provisions and stores for a lengthy
voyage. She would take on board not only flour, biscuits, preserves, fresh and
dried meat, live stock, wines, beers, and spirits, but also clothing, household
utensils, and objects of luxury—all of the finest quality and highest price, and
which were paid for either in dollars, guineas, or other coins of various
countries and denominations.</p>
<p>Consequently, if no one knew anything about the private life of Count
d’Artigas, he was nevertheless very well known in the various ports of the
United States from the Florida peninsula to New England.</p>
<p>It is therefore in no way surprising that the director of Healthful House
should have felt greatly flattered by the Count’s visit, and have received him
with every mark of honor and respect.</p>
<p>It was the first time that the schooner <i>Ebba</i> had dropped anchor in the
port of New-Berne, and no doubt a mere whim of her owner had brought him to the
mouth of the Neuse. Otherwise why should he have come to such a place? Certainly
not to lay in stores, for Pamlico Sound offered neither the resources nor
facilities to be found in such ports as Boston, New York, Dover, Savannah,
Wilmington in North Carolina, and Charleston in South Carolina. What could he
have procured with his piastres and bank-notes in the small markets of
New-Berne? This chief town of Craven County contained barely six thousand
inhabitants. Its commerce consisted principally in the exportation of grain,
pigs, furniture, and naval munitions. Besides, a few weeks previously, the
schooner had loaded up for some destination which, as usual, was unknown.</p>
<p>Had this enigmatical personage then come solely for the purpose of visiting
Healthful House? Very likely. There would have been nothing surprising in the
fact, seeing that the establishment enjoyed a high and well-merited
reputation.</p>
<p>Or perhaps the Count had been inspired by curiosity to meet Thomas Roch? This
curiosity would have been legitimate and natural enough in view of the universal
renown of the French inventor. Fancy—a mad genius who claimed that his
discoveries were destined to revolutionize the methods of modern military
art!</p>
<p>As he had notified the director he would do, the Count d’Artigas presented
himself in the afternoon at the door of Healthful House, accompanied by Captain
Spade, the commander of the <i>Ebba</i>.</p>
<p>In conformity with orders given, both were admitted and conducted to the
office of the director. The latter received his distinguished visitor with
<i>empressement</i>, placed himself at his disposal, and intimated his intention
of personally conducting him over the establishment, not being willing to
concede to anybody else the honor of being his <i>cicerone</i>. The Count on his
part was profuse in the expression of his thanks for the considerations extended
to him.</p>
<p>They went over the common rooms and private habitations of the establishment,
the director prattling unceasingly about the care with which the patients were
tended—much better care, if he was to be believed, than they could possibly have
had in the bosoms of their families—and priding himself upon the results
achieved, and which had earned for the place its well-merited success.</p>
<p>The Count d’Artigas listened to his ceaseless chatter with apparent interest,
probably in order the better to dissemble the real motive of his visit. However,
after going the rounds for an hour he ventured to remark:</p>
<p>“Have you not among your patients, sir, one anent whom there was a great deal
of talk some time ago, and whose presence here contributed in no small measure
to attract public attention to Healthful House?”</p>
<p>“You refer to Thomas Roch, I presume, Count?” queried the director.</p>
<p>“Precisely—that Frenchman—that inventor—whose mental condition is said to be
very precarious.”</p>
<p>“Very precarious, Count, and happily so, perhaps! In my opinion humanity has
nothing to gain by his discoveries, the application of which would increase the
already too numerous means of destruction.”</p>
<p>“You speak wisely, sir, and I entirely agree with you. Real progress does not
lie in that direction, and I regard as inimical to society all those who seek to
follow it. But has this inventor entirely lost the use of his intellectual
faculties?”</p>
<p>“Entirely, no; save as regards the ordinary things of life. In this respect
he no longer possesses either comprehension or responsibility. His genius as an
inventor, however, remains intact; it has survived his moral degeneracy, and,
had his insensate demands been complied with, I have no doubt he would have
produced a new war engine—which the world can get along very well without.”</p>
<p>“Very well without, as you say, sir,” re-echoed the Count d’Artigas, and
Captain Spade nodded approval.</p>
<p>“But you will be able to judge for yourself, Count, for here is the pavilion
occupied by Thomas Roch. If his confinement is well justified from the point of
view of public security he is none the less treated with all the consideration
due to him and the attention which his condition necessitates. Besides,
Healthful House is beyond the reach of indiscreet persons who might....”</p>
<p>The director completed the phrase with a significant motion of his head—which
brought an imperceptible smile to the lips of the stranger.</p>
<p>“But,” asked the Count, “is Thomas Roch never left alone?”</p>
<p>“Never, Count, never. He has a permanent attendant in whom we have implicit
confidence, who speaks his language and keeps the closest possible watch upon
him. If in some way or other some indication relative to his discovery were to
escape him, it would be immediately noted down and its value would be passed
upon by those competent to judge.”</p>
<p>Here the Count d’Artigas stole a rapid and meaning glance at Captain Spade,
who responded with a gesture which said plainly enough: “I understand.” And had
any one observed the captain during the visit, they could not have failed to
remark that he examined with the greatest minuteness that portion of the park
surrounding Pavilion No. 17, and the different paths leading to the
latter—probably in view of some prearranged scheme.</p>
<p>The garden of the pavilion was near the high wall surrounding the property,
from the foot of which on the other side the hill sloped gently to the right
bank of the Neuse.</p>
<p>The pavilion itself was a one-story building surmounted by a terrace in the
Italian style. It contained two rooms and an ante-room with strongly-barred
windows. On each side and in rear of the habitation were clusters of fine trees,
which were then in full leaf. In front was a cool, green velvety lawn,
ornamented with shrubs and brilliantly tinted flowers. The whole garden extended
over about half an acre, and was reserved exclusively for the use of Thomas
Roch, who was free to wander about it at pleasure under the surveillance of his
guardian.</p>
<p>When the Count d’Artigas, Captain Spade, and the director entered the garden,
the first person they saw was the warder Gaydon, standing at the door of the
pavilion. Unnoticed by the director the Count d’Artigas eyed the attendant with
singular persistence.</p>
<p>It was not the first time that strangers had come to see the occupant of
Pavilion No. 17, for the French inventor was justly regarded as the most
interesting inmate of Healthful House. Nevertheless, Gaydon’s attention was
attracted by the originality of the type presented by the two visitors, of whose
nationality he was ignorant. If the name of the Count d’Artigas was not
unfamiliar to him, he had never had occasion to meet that wealthy gentleman
during the latter’s sojourn in the eastern ports. He therefore had no idea as to
who the Count was. Neither was he aware that the schooner <i>Ebba</i> was then
anchored at the entrance to the Neuse, at the foot of the hill upon which
Healthful House was situated.</p>
<p>“Gaydon,” demanded the director, “where is Thomas Roch?”</p>
<p>“Yonder,” replied the warder, pointing to a man who was walking meditatively
under the trees in rear of the pavilion.</p>
<p>“The Count d’Artigas has been authorized to visit Healthful House,” the
director explained; “and does not wish to go away without having seen Thomas
Roch, who was lately the subject of a good deal too much discussion.”</p>
<p>“And who would be talked about a great deal more,” added the Count, “had the
Federal Government not taken the precaution to confine him in this
establishment.”</p>
<p>“A necessary precaution, Count.”</p>
<p>“Necessary, as you observe, Mr. Director. It is better for the peace of the
world that his secret should die with him.”</p>
<p>After having glanced at the Count d’Artigas, Gaydon had not uttered a word;
but preceding the two strangers he walked towards the clump of trees where the
inventor was pacing back and forth.</p>
<p>Thomas Roch paid no attention to them. He appeared to be oblivious of their
presence.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Captain Spade, while being careful not to excite suspicion, had
been minutely examining the immediate surroundings of the pavilion and the end
of the park in which it was situated. From the top of the sloping alleys he
could easily distinguish the peak of a mast which showed above the wall of the
park. He recognized the peak at a glance as being that of the <i>Ella</i>, and
knew therefore that the wall at this part skirted the right bank of the
Neuse.</p>
<p>The Count d’Artigas’ whole attention was concentrated upon the French
inventor. The latter’s health appeared to have suffered in no way from his
eighteen months’ confinement; but his queer attitude, his incoherent gestures,
his haggard eye, and his indifference to what was passing around him testified
only too plainly to the degeneration of his mental faculties.</p>
<p>At length Thomas Roch dropped into a seat and with the end of a switch traced
in the sand of the alley the outline of a fortification. Then kneeling down he
made a number of little mounds that were evidently intended to represent
bastions. He next plucked some leaves from a neighboring tree and stuck them in
the mounds like so many tiny flags. All this was done with the utmost
seriousness and without any attention whatever being paid to the onlookers.</p>
<p>It was the amusement of a child, but a child would have lacked this
characteristic gravity.</p>
<p>“Is he then absolutely mad?” demanded the Count d’Artigas, who in spite of
his habitual impassibility appeared to be somewhat disappointed.</p>
<p>“I warned you, Count, that nothing could be obtained from him.”</p>
<p>“Couldn’t he at least pay some attention to us?”</p>
<p>“It would perhaps be difficult to induce him to do so.”</p>
<p>Then turning to the attendant:</p>
<p>“Speak to him, Gaydon. Perhaps he will answer you.”</p>
<p>“Oh! he’ll answer me right enough, sir, never fear,” replied Gaydon.</p>
<p>He went up to the inventor and touching him on the shoulder, said gently:
“Thomas Roch!”</p>
<p>The latter raised his head, and of the persons present he doubtless saw but
his keeper, though Captain Spade had come up and all formed a circle about
him.</p>
<p>“Thomas Roch,” continued Gaydon, speaking in English, “here are some visitors
to see you. They are interested in your health—in your work.”</p>
<p>The last word alone seemed to rouse him from his indifference.</p>
<p>“My work?” he replied, also in English, which he spoke like a native.</p>
<p>Then taking a pebble between his index finger and bent thumb, as a boy plays
at marbles, he projected it against one of the little sand-heaps. It scattered,
and he jumped for joy.</p>
<p>“Blown to pieces! The bastion is blown to pieces! My explosive has destroyed
everything at one blow!” he shouted, the light of triumph flashing in his
eyes.</p>
<p>“You see,” said the director, addressing the Count d’Artigas. “The idea of
his invention never leaves him.”</p>
<p>“And it will die with him,” affirmed the attendant.</p>
<p>“Couldn’t you, Gaydon, get him to talk about his fulgurator?” asked his
chief.</p>
<p>“I will try, if you order me to do so, sir.”</p>
<p>“Well, I do order you, for I think it might interest the Count
d’Artigas.”</p>
<p>“Certainly,” assented the Count, whose physiognomy betrayed no sign of the
sentiments which were agitating him.</p>
<p>“I ought to warn you that I risk bringing on another fit,” observed
Gaydon.</p>
<p>“You can drop the conversation when you consider it prudent. Tell Thomas Roch
that a foreigner wishes to negotiate with him for the purchase of his
fulgurator.”</p>
<p>“But are you not afraid he may give his secret away?” questioned the
Count.</p>
<p>He spoke with such vivacity that Gaydon could not restrain a glance of
distrust, which, however, did not appear to disturb the equanimity of that
impenetrable nobleman.</p>
<p>“No fear of that,” said the warder. “No promise would induce him to divulge
his secret. Until the millions he demands are counted into his hand he will
remain as mute as a stone.”</p>
<p>“I don’t happen to be carrying those millions about me,” remarked the Count
quietly.</p>
<p>Gaydon again touched Roch on the shoulder and repeated:</p>
<p>“Thomas Roch, here are some foreigners who are anxious to acquire your
invention.”</p>
<p>The madman started.</p>
<p>“My invention?” he cried. “My deflagrator?”</p>
<p>And his growing animation plainly indicated the imminence of the fit that
Gaydon had been apprehensive about, and which questions of this character
invariably brought on.</p>
<p>“How much will you give me for it—how much?” continued Roch. “How much—how
much?”</p>
<p>“Ten million dollars,” replied Gaydon.</p>
<p>“Ten millions! Ten millions! A fulgurator ten million times more powerful
than anything hitherto invented! Ten millions for an autopropulsive projectile
which, when it explodes, destroys everything in sight within a radius of over
twelve thousand square yards! Ten millions for the only deflagrator that can
provoke its explosion! Why, all the wealth of the world wouldn’t suffice to
purchase the secret of my engine, and rather than sell it at such a price I
would cut my tongue in half with my teeth. Ten millions, when it is worth a
billion—a billion—a billion!”</p>
<p>It was clear that Roch had lost all notion of things, and had Gaydon offered
him ten billions the madman would have replied in exactly the same manner.</p>
<p>The Count d’Artigas and Captain Spade had not taken their eyes off him. The
Count was impassible as usual, though his brow had darkened, but the captain
shook his head in a manner that implied plainly: “Decidedly there is nothing to
hope from this poor devil!”</p>
<p>After his outburst Roch fled across the garden crying hoarsely:</p>
<p>“Billions! Billions!”</p>
<p>Gaydon turned to the director and remarked:</p>
<p>“I told you how it would be.”</p>
<p>Then he rushed after his patient, caught him by the arm, and led him, without
any attempt at resistance, into the pavilion and closed the door.</p>
<p>The Count d’Artigas remained alone with the director, Captain Spade having
strolled off again in the direction of the wall at the bottom of the park.</p>
<p>“You see I was not guilty of exaggeration, Count,” said the director. “It is
obvious to every one that Thomas Roch is becoming daily worse. In my opinion his
case is a hopeless one. If all the money he asks for were offered to him,
nothing could be got from him.”</p>
<p>“Very likely,” replied the Count, “still, if his pecuniary demands are
supremely absurd, he has none the less invented an engine the power of which is
infinite, one might say.”</p>
<p>“That is the opinion expressed by competent persons, Count. But what he has
discovered will ere long be lost with himself in one of these fits which are
becoming more frequent and intense. Very soon even the motive of interest, the
only sentiment that appears to have survived in his mind, will become
extinct.”</p>
<p>“Mayhap the sentiment of hatred will remain, though,” muttered the Count, as
Spade joined them at the garden gate.</p>
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