<h4>CHAPTER XV.</h4>
<h4>EXPECTATION.</h4>
<p>As soon as I recover my senses I find myself lying on my bed in my cell,
where it appears I have been lying for thirty-six hours.</p>
<p>I am not alone. Engineer Serko is near me. He has attended to me himself, not
because he regards me as a friend, I surmise, but as a man from whom
indispensable explanations are awaited, and who afterwards can be done away with
if necessary.</p>
<p>I am still so weak that I could not walk a step. A little more and I should
have been asphyxiated in that narrow compartment of the <i>Sword</i> at the
bottom of the lagoon.</p>
<p>Am I in condition to reply to the questions that Engineer Serko is dying to
put to me? Yes—but I shall maintain the utmost reserve.</p>
<p>In the first place I wonder what has become of Lieutenant Davon and the crew
of the <i>Sword</i>. Did those brave Englishmen perish in the collision? Are
they safe and sound like us—for I suppose that Thomas Roch has also
survived?</p>
<p>The first question that Engineer Serko puts to me is this:</p>
<p>“Will you explain to me what happened, Mr. Hart?”</p>
<p>Instead of replying it occurs to me to question him myself.</p>
<p>“And Thomas Roch?” I inquire.</p>
<p>“In good health, Mr. Hart.” Then he adds in an imperious tone: “Tell me what
occurred!”</p>
<p>“In the first place, tell me what became of the others.”</p>
<p>“What others?” replies Serko, glancing at me savagely.</p>
<p>“Why, those men who threw themselves upon Thomas Roch and me, who gagged,
bound, and carried us off and shut us up, I know not where?”</p>
<p>On reflection I had come to the conclusion that the best thing to do was to
pretend that I had been surprised before I knew where I was or who my aggressors
were.</p>
<p>“You will know what became of them later. But first, tell me how, the thing
was done.”</p>
<p>By the threatening tone of his voice, as he for the third time puts this
question, I understand the nature of the suspicions entertained of me. Yet to be
in the position to accuse me of having had relations with the outside he would
have had to get possession of my keg. This he could not have done, seeing that
it is in the hands of the Bermudan authorities. The pirates cannot, I am
convinced, have a single proof to back up their suspicions.</p>
<p>I therefore recount how about eight o’clock on the previous evening I was
walking along the edge of the lagoon, after Thomas Roch had passed me, going
towards his laboratory, when I felt myself seized from behind; how having been
gagged, bound, and blindfolded, I felt myself carried off and lowered into a
hole with another person whom I thought I recognized from his groans as Thomas
Roch; how I soon felt that I was on board a boat of some description and
naturally concluded that it was the tug; how I felt it sink; how I felt a shock
that threw me violently against the side, and how I felt myself suffocating and
lost consciousness, since I remember nothing further.</p>
<p>Engineer Serko listens with profound attention, a stern look in his eyes and
a frown on his brow; and yet he can have no reason that authorizes him to doubt
my word.</p>
<p>“You claim that three men threw themselves upon you?” he asks.</p>
<p>“Yes. I thought they were some of your people, for I did not see them coming.
Who were they?”</p>
<p>“Strangers, as you must have known from their language.”</p>
<p>“They did not utter a word!”</p>
<p>“Have you no idea as to their nationality?”</p>
<p>“Not the remotest.”</p>
<p>Do you know what were their intentions in entering the cavern?”</p>
<p>“I do not.”</p>
<p>“What is your opinion about it?”</p>
<p>“My opinion, Mr. Serko? I repeat I thought they were two or three of your
pirates who had come to throw me into the lagoon by the Count d’Artigas’ orders,
and that they were going to do the same thing to Thomas Roch. I supposed that
having obtained his secrets—as you informed me was the case—you had no further
use for him and were about to get rid of us both.”</p>
<p>“Is it possible, Mr. Hart, that you could have thought such a thing!”
continued Serko in his sarcastic way.</p>
<p>“I did, until having been able to remove the bandage from my eyes, I
perceived that I was in the tug.”</p>
<p>“It was not the tug, but a boat of the same kind that had got through the
tunnel.”</p>
<p>“A submarine boat?” I ejaculate.</p>
<p>“Yes, and manned by persons whose mission was to kidnap you and Thomas
Roch.”</p>
<p>“Kidnap us?” I echo, continuing to feign surprise.</p>
<p>“And,” adds Engineer Serko, “I want to know what you think about the
matter.”</p>
<p>“What I think about it? Well, it appears to me that there is only one
plausible explanation possible. If the secret of your retreat has not been
betrayed—and I cannot conceive how you could have been betrayed or what
imprudence you or yours could have committed—my opinion is that this submarine
boat was exploring the bottom of the sea in this neighborhood, that she must
have found her way into the tunnel, that she rose to the surface of the lagoon,
that her crew, greatly surprised to find themselves inside an inhabited cavern,
seized hold of the first persons they came across, Thomas Roch and myself, and
others as well perhaps, for of course I do not know——”</p>
<p>Engineer Serko has become serious again. Does he realize the inanity of the
hypothesis I try to pass off on him? Does he think I know more than I will say?
However this may be, he accepts my professed view, and says:</p>
<p>“In effect, Mr. Hart, it must have happened as you suggest, and when the
stranger tried to make her way out through the tunnel just as the tug was
entering, there was a collision—a collision of which she was the victim. But we
are not the kind of people to allow our fellow-men to perish before our eyes.
Moreover, the disappearance of Thomas Roch and yourself was almost immediately
discovered. Two such valuable lives had to be saved at all hazards. We set to
work. There are many expert divers among our men. They hastily donned their
suits and descended to the bottom of the lagoon. They passed lines around the
hull of the <i>Sword</i>——”</p>
<p>“The <i>Sword</i>?” I exclaim.</p>
<p>“That is the name we saw painted on the bow of the vessel when we raised her
to the surface. What satisfaction we experienced when we recovered
you—unconscious, it is true, but still breathing—and were able to bring you back
to life! Unfortunately all our attentions to the officer who commanded the
<i>Sword</i>, and to his crew were useless. The shock had torn open the after
and middle compartments, and they paid with their lives the misfortune—due to
chance, as you observe—of having discovered our mysterious retreat.”</p>
<p>On learning that Lieutenant Davon and his companions are dead, my heart is
filled with anguish; but to keep up my role—as they were persons with whom,
presumably, I was not acquainted, and had never seen—I am careful not to display
any emotion. I must, on no account, afford ground for the suspicion that there
was any connivance between the commander of the <i>Sword</i> and me. For aught I
know, Engineer Serko may have reason to be very skeptical about the discovery of
the tunnel being accidental.</p>
<p>What, however, I am most concerned about is that the unlooked-for occasion to
recover my liberty was lost. Shall I ever be afforded another chance? However
this may be, my notice reached the English authorities of the archipelago, and
they now know where Ker Karraje is to be found. When it is seen that the
<i>Sword</i> does not return to Bermuda, there can be no doubt that another
attempt will be made to get inside Back Cup, in which, had it not been for the
inopportune return of the tug, I should no longer be a prisoner.</p>
<p>I have resumed my usual existence, and having allayed all mistrust, am
permitted to wander freely about the cavern, as usual.</p>
<p>It is patent that the adventure has had no ill effect upon Thomas Roch.
Intelligent nursing brought him around, as it did me. In full possession of his
mental faculties he has returned to work, and spends the entire day in his
laboratory.</p>
<p>The <i>Ebba</i> brought back from her last trip bales, boxes, and a quantity
of objects of varied origin, and I conclude that a number of ships must have
been pillaged during this marauding expedition.</p>
<p>The work on the trestles for Roch’s engine goes steadily forward, and there
are now no fewer than fifty engines. If Ker Karraje and Engineer Serko are under
the necessity of defending Back Cup, three or four will be sufficient to render
the island unapproachable, as they will cover a zone which no vessel could enter
without being blown to pieces. And it occurs to me that they intend to put Back
Cup in a state of defence after having argued as follows:</p>
<p>“If the appearance of the <i>Sword</i> in the lagoon was due to chance the
situation remains unchanged, and no power, not even England, will think of
seeking for the <i>Sword</i> inside the cavern. If, on the other hand, as the
result of an incomprehensible revelation, it has been learned that Back Cup is
become the retreat of Ker Karraje, if the expedition of the <i>Sword</i> was a
first effort against the island, another of a different kind—either a
bombardment from a distance, or an attack by a landing party—is to be expected.
Therefore, ere we can quit Back Cup and carry away our plunder, we shall have to
defend ourselves by means of Roch’s fulgurator.”</p>
<p>In my opinion the rascals must have gone on to reason still further in this
wise:</p>
<p>“Is there any connection between the disclosure of our secret—if it was, and
however it may have been made—and the double abduction from Healthful House? Is
it known that Thomas Roch and his keeper are confined in Back Cup? Is it known
that the abduction was effected in the interest of Ker Karraje? Have Americans,
English, French, Germans, and Russians reason to fear that an attack in force
against the island would be doomed to failure?”</p>
<p>Ker Karraje must know very well that these powers would not hesitate to
attack him, however great the danger might be. The destruction of his lair is an
urgent duty in the interest of public security and of humanity. After sweeping
the West Pacific the pirate and his companions are infesting the West Atlantic,
and must be wiped out at all costs.</p>
<p>In any case, it is imperative that the inhabitants of Back Cup should be on
their guard. This fact is realized, and, from the day on which the <i>Sword</i>
was destroyed, strict watch has been kept. Thanks to the new passage, they are
able to hide among the rocks without having recourse to the submarine tunnel to
get there, and day and night a dozen sentries are posted about the island. The
moment a ship appears in sight the fact is at once made known inside the
cavern.</p>
<p>Nothing occurs for some days, and the latter succeed each other with dreadful
monotony. The pirates, however, feel that Back Cup no longer enjoys its former
security. Every moment an alarm from the sentries posted outside is expected.
The situation is no longer the same since the advent of the <i>Sword</i>.
Gallant Lieutenant Davon, gallant crew, may England, may the civilized nations,
never forget that you have sacrificed your lives in the cause of humanity!</p>
<p>It is evident that now, however powerful may be their means of defence, even
more powerful than a network of torpedoes, Engineer Serko and Captain Spade are
filled with an anxiety that they vainly essay to dissemble. They hold frequent
conferences together. Maybe they discuss the advisability of quitting Back Cup
with their wealth, for they are aware that if the existence of the cavern is
known means will be found to reduce it, even if the inmates have to be starved
out.</p>
<p>This is, of course, mere conjecture on my part. What is essential to me is
that they do not suspect me of having launched the keg that was so
providentially picked up at Bermuda. Never, I must say, has Engineer Serko ever
made any allusion to any such probability. No, I am not even suspected. If the
contrary were the case I am sufficiently acquainted with Ker Karraje to know
that he would long ago have sent me to rejoin Lieutenant Davon and the
<i>Sword</i> at the bottom of the lagoon.</p>
<p>The winter tempests have set in with a vengeance. The wind howls though the
hole in the roof, and rude gusts sweep through the forest of pillars producing
sonorous sounds, so sonorous, so deep, that one might sometimes almost fancy
they were produced by the firing of the guns of a squadron. Flocks of seabirds
take refuge in the cavern from the gale, and at intervals, when it lulls, almost
deafen us with their screaming.</p>
<p>It is to be presumed that in such weather the schooner will make no attempt
to put to sea, for the stock of provisions is ample enough to last all the
season. Moreover, I imagine the Count d’Artigas will not be so eager in future
to show his <i>Ebba</i> along the American coast, where he risks being received,
not, as hitherto, with the consideration due to a wealthy yachtsman, but in the
manner Ker Karraje so richly merits.</p>
<p>It occurs to me that if the apparition of the <i>Sword</i> was the
commencement of a campaign against the island, a question of great moment
relative to the future of Back Cup arises.</p>
<p>Therefore, one day, prudently, so as not to excite any suspicion, I ventured
to pump Engineer Serko about it.</p>
<p>We were in the neighborhood of Thomas Roch’s laboratory, and had been
conversing for some time, when Engineer Serko touched upon the extraordinary
apparition of an English submarine boat in the lagoon. On this occasion he
seemed to incline to the view that it might have been a premeditated expedition
against Ker Karraje.</p>
<p>“That is not my opinion,” I replied, in order to bring him to the question
that I wanted to put to him.</p>
<p>“Why?” he demanded.</p>
<p>“Because if your retreat were known a fresh attempt, if not to penetrate to
the cavern, at least to destroy Back Cup, would ere this have been made.”</p>
<p>“Destroy it!” cried Serko. “It would be a dangerous undertaking, in view of
the means of defence of which we now dispose.”</p>
<p>“They can know nothing about this matter, Mr. Serko. It is not imagined,
either in the new world or the old, that the abduction from Healthful House was
effected for your especial benefit, or that you have succeeded in coming to
terms with Thomas Roch for his invention.”</p>
<p>Engineer Serko made no response to this observation, which, for that matter,
was unanswerable.</p>
<p>I continued:</p>
<p>“Therefore a squadron sent by the maritime powers who have an interest in
breaking up this island would not hesitate to approach and shell it. Now, I
argue from this that as this squadron has not yet appeared, it is not likely to
come at all, and that nothing is known as to Ker Karraje’s whereabouts, and you
must admit that this hypothesis is the most cheerful one, as far as you are
concerned.”</p>
<p>“That may be,” Engineer Serko replied, “but what is, is. Whether they are
aware of the fact or no, if warships approach within five or six miles of this
island they will be sunk before they have had time to fire a single shot!”</p>
<p>“Well, and what then?”</p>
<p>“What then? Why the probability is that no others would care to repeat the
experiment.”</p>
<p>“That, again, may be. But these warships would invest you beyond the
dangerous zone, and the <i>Ebba</i> would not be able to put in to the ports she
previously visited with the Count d’Artigas. In this event, how would you be
able to provision the island?”</p>
<p>Engineer Serko remained silent.</p>
<p>This argument, which he must already have brooded over, was too logical to be
refuted or dismissed, and I have an idea that the pirates contemplate abandoning
Back Cup.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, not relishing being cornered, he continued:</p>
<p>“We should still have the tug, and what the <i>Ebba</i> could not do, this
would.”</p>
<p>“The tug?” I cried. “But if Ker Karraje’s secrets are known, do you suppose
the powers are not also aware of the existence of the Count d’Artigas’ submarine
boat?”</p>
<p>Engineer Serko looked at me suspiciously.</p>
<p>“Mr. Hart,” he said, “you appear to me to carry your deductions rather
far.”</p>
<p>“I, Mr. Serko?”</p>
<p>“Yes, and I think you talk about all this like a man who knows more than he
ought to.”</p>
<p>This remark brought me up abruptly. It was evident that my arguments might
give rise to the suspicion that I was not altogether irresponsible for the
recent incident. Engineer Serko scrutinized me sharply as though he would read
my innermost thoughts.</p>
<p>“Mr. Serko,” I observed, “by profession, as well as by inclination, I am
accustomed to reason upon everything. This is why I communicated to you the
result of my reasoning, which you can take into consideration or not, as you
like.”</p>
<p>Thereupon we separate. But I fancy my lack of reserve may have excited
suspicions which may not be easy to allay.</p>
<p>From this interview, however, I gleaned a precious bit of information,
namely, that the dangerous zone of Roch’s fulgurator is between five and six
miles off. Perhaps, during the next equinoctial tides, another notice to this
effect in another keg may also reach a safe destination.</p>
<p>But how many weary months to wait before the orifice of the tunnel will again
be uncovered!</p>
<p>The rough weather continues, and the squalls are more violent than ever. Is
it the state of the sea that delays another campaign against Back Cup?
Lieutenant Davon certainly assured me that if his expedition failed, if the
<i>Sword</i> did not return to St. George, another attempt under different
conditions would be made with a view to breaking up this bandits’ lair. Sooner
or later the work of justice must be done, and Back Cup be destroyed, even
though I may not survive its destruction.</p>
<p>Ah! why can I not go and breathe, if only for a single instant, the vivifying
air outside? Why am I not permitted to cast one glance over the ocean towards
the distant horizon of the Bermudas? My whole life is concentrated in one
desire: to get through the tunnel in the wall and hide myself among the rocks.
Perchance I might be the first to catch sight of the smoke of a squadron heading
for the island.</p>
<p>This project, alas! is unrealizable, as sentries are posted day and night at
each extremity of the passage. No one can enter it without Engineer Serko’s
authorization. Were I to attempt it, I should risk being deprived of my liberty
to walk about the cavern, and even worse might happen to me.</p>
<p>Since our last conversation, Engineer Serko’s attitude towards me has
undergone a change. His gaze has lost its old-time sarcasm and is distrustful,
suspicious, searching and as stern as Ker Karraje’s.</p>
<p><i>November 17</i>.—This afternoon there was a great commotion in the
Beehive, and the men rushed out of their cells with loud cries.</p>
<p>I was reclining on my bed, but immediately rose and hurried out.</p>
<p>All the pirates were making for the passage, in front of which were Ker
Karraje, Engineer Serko, Captain Spade, Boatswain Effrondat, Engine-driver
Gibson and the Count d’Artigas’ big Malay attendant.</p>
<p>I soon learn the reason for the tumult, for the sentries rush in with shouts
of alarm.</p>
<p>Several vessels have been sighted to the northwest—warships steaming at full
speed in the direction of Back Cup.</p>
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