Half an hour later the Count d'Artigas and Captain Spade were
following the beech-lined road that separated the Healthful House
estate from the right bank of the Neuse. Both had taken leave of the
director, the latter declaring himself greatly honored by their visit, and the former thanking him warmly for his courteous reception. A hundred-dollar bill left as a tip for the staff of the establishment had certainly not belied the Count's reputation for generosity. He was--there could be no doubt about it--a foreigner of the highest distinction, if distinction be measured by generosity.
Issuing by the gate at the main entrance to Healthful House, they had
skirted the wall that surrounded the property, and which was high
enough to preclude the possibility of climbing it. Not a word passed
between them for some time; the Count was deep in thought and Captain
Spade was not in the habit of addressing him without being first
spoken to.
At last when they stood beneath the rear wall behind which, though it
was not visible, the Count knew Pavilion No. 17 was situated, he said:
"You managed, I presume, to thoroughly explore the place, and are
acquainted with every detail of it?"
"Certainly, Count" replied Captain Spade, emphasizing the title.
"You are perfectly sure about it?"
"Perfectly. I could go through the park with my eyes shut. If you
still persist in carrying out your scheme the pavilion can be easily
reached."
"I do persist, Spade."
"Notwithstanding Thomas Roch's mental condition?"
"Notwithstanding his condition; and if we succeed in carrying him
off----"
"That is my affair. When night comes on I undertake to enter the park
of Healthful House, and then the pavilion garden without being seen by
anybody."
"By the entrance gate?"
"No, on this side."
"Yes, but on this side there is the wall, and if you succeed in
climbing it, how are you going to get over it again with Thomas Roch? What if the madman cries out--what if he should resist--what if his keeper gives the alarm?"
"Don't worry yourself in the least about that. We have only got to go
in and come out by this door."
Captain Spade pointed to a narrow door let into the wall a few
paces distant, and which was doubtless used by the staff of the
establishment when they had occasion to go out by the river.
"That is the way I propose to go in. It's much easier than scaling the
wall with a ladder."
"But the door is closed."
"It will open."
"Has it no bolts?"
"Yes, but I shot them back while we were strolling about, and the
director didn't notice what I had done."
"How are you going to open it?" queried the Count, going to the door.
"Here is the key," replied Spade, producing it.
He had withdrawn it from the lock, where it happened to be, when he
had unbolted the door.
"Capital!" exclaimed the Count. "It couldn't be better. The business
will be easier than I expected. Let us get back to the schooner. At
eight o'clock one of the boats will put you ashore with five men."
"Yes, five men will do," said Captain Spade. "There will be enough of
them to effect our object even if the keeper is aroused and it becomes
necessary to put him out of the way."
"Put him out of the way--well, if it becomes absolutely necessary of course you must, but it would be better to seize him too and bring him aboard the Ebba. Who knows but what he has already learned a part of Roch's secret?"
"True."
"Besides, Thomas Roch is used to him, and I don't propose to make him
change his habitudes in any way."
This observation was accompanied by such a significant smile that
Captain Spade could entertain no doubt as to the role reserved for the
warder of Healthful House.
The plan to kidnap them both was thus settled, and appeared to have
every chance of being successful; unless during the couple of hours of
daylight that yet remained it was noticed that the key of the door had
been stolen and the bolts drawn back, Captain Spade and his men could
at least count upon being able to enter the park, and the rest, the
captain affirmed, would be easy enough.