Could any plausible2 hypothesis be deducted3 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 ensemble5 of his person showed none of the racial characteristics peculiar6 to the natives of the Iberian peninsula.
He was a man of about forty-five years of age, about the average height, and robustly7 constituted. With his calm and haughty8 demeanor9 he resembled an Hindoo lord in whose blood might mingle10 that of some superb type of Malay. If he was not naturally of a cold temperament11, 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 maritime13 excursions brought him to the coasts of the old or new world he spoke12 English with remarkable14 facility, and with so slight an accent as to scarcely betray his foreign origin.
None could have told anything about his past, nor even about his present life, nor from what source he derived15 his fortune,—obviously a large one, inasmuch as he was able to gratify his every whim16 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.
All that was known about him was what was published in the papers when the arrival of the Ebba 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 lengthy17 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 utensils18, 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 denominations19.
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.
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.
It was the first time that the schooner Ebba had dropped anchor in the port of New-Berne, and no doubt a mere20 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 procured21 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 naval22 munitions23. Besides, a few weeks previously24, the schooner had loaded up for some destination which, as usual, was unknown.
Had this enigmatical personage then come solely25 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.
Or perhaps the Count had been inspired by curiosity to meet Thomas Roch? This curiosity would have been legitimate26 and natural enough in view of the universal renown27 of the French inventor. Fancy—a mad genius who claimed that his discoveries were destined28 to revolutionize the methods of modern military art!
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 Ebba.
In conformity29 with orders given, both were admitted and conducted to the office of the director. The latter received his distinguished30 visitor with empressement, 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 cicerone. The Count on his part was profuse31 in the expression of his thanks for the considerations extended to him.
They went over the common rooms and private habitations of the establishment, the director prattling32 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 bosoms33 of their families—and priding himself upon the results achieved, and which had earned for the place its well-merited success.
The Count d’Artigas listened to his ceaseless chatter34 with apparent interest, probably in order the better to dissemble the real motive35 of his visit. However, after going the rounds for an hour he ventured to remark:
“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?”
“Precisely—that Frenchman—that inventor—whose mental condition is said to be very precarious37.”
“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.”
“You speak wisely, sir, and I entirely38 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 faculties39?”
“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, remains40 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.”
“Very well without, as you say, sir,” re-echoed the Count d’Artigas, and Captain Spade nodded approval.
“But you will be able to judge for yourself, Count, for here is the pavilion occupied by Thomas Roch. If his confinement41 is well justified42 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 necessitates43. Besides, Healthful House is beyond the reach of indiscreet persons who might....”
The director completed the phrase with a significant motion of his head—which brought an imperceptible smile to the lips of the stranger.
“But,” asked the Count, “is Thomas Roch never left alone?”
“Never, Count, never. He has a permanent attendant in whom we have implicit44 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 noted4 down and its value would be passed upon by those competent to judge.”
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.
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.
The pavilion itself was a one-story building surmounted46 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 velvety47 lawn, ornamented48 with shrubs49 and brilliantly tinted50 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 guardian51.
When the Count d’Artigas, Captain Spade, and the director entered the garden, the first person they saw was the warder Gaydon, standing52 at the door of the pavilion. Unnoticed by the director the Count d’Artigas eyed the attendant with singular persistence53.
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 inmate54 of Healthful House. Nevertheless, Gaydon’s attention was attracted by the originality55 of the type presented by the two visitors, of whose nationality he was ignorant. If the name of the Count d’Artigas was not unfamiliar56 to him, he had never had occasion to meet that wealthy gentleman during the latter’s sojourn57 in the eastern ports. He therefore had no idea as to who the Count was. Neither was he aware that the schooner Ebba was then anchored at the entrance to the Neuse, at the foot of the hill upon which Healthful House was situated58.
“Gaydon,” demanded the director, “where is Thomas Roch?”
“Yonder,” replied the warder, pointing to a man who was walking meditatively59 under the trees in rear of the pavilion.
“The Count d’Artigas has been authorized60 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.”
“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.”
“A necessary precaution, Count.”
“Necessary, as you observe, Mr. Director. It is better for the peace of the world that his secret should die with him.”
After having glanced at the Count d’Artigas, Gaydon had not uttered a word; but preceding the two strangers he walked towards the clump61 of trees where the inventor was pacing back and forth62.
Meanwhile, Captain Spade, while being careful not to excite suspicion, had been minutely examining the immediate45 surroundings of the pavilion and the end of the park in which it was situated. From the top of the sloping alleys64 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 Ebba, and knew therefore that the wall at this part skirted the right bank of the Neuse.
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 indifference66 to what was passing around him testified only too plainly to the degeneration of his mental faculties.
At length Thomas Roch dropped into a seat and with the end of a switch traced in the sand of the alley65 the outline of a fortification. Then kneeling down he made a number of little mounds67 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 onlookers68.
It was the amusement of a child, but a child would have lacked this characteristic gravity.
“Is he then absolutely mad?” demanded the Count d’Artigas, who in spite of his habitual69 impassibility appeared to be somewhat disappointed.
“I warned you, Count, that nothing could be obtained from him.”
“Couldn’t he at least pay some attention to us?”
“It would perhaps be difficult to induce him to do so.”
Then turning to the attendant:
“Speak to him, Gaydon. Perhaps he will answer you.”
“Oh! he’ll answer me right enough, sir, never fear,” replied Gaydon.
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.
“Thomas Roch,” continued Gaydon, speaking in English, “here are some visitors to see you. They are interested in your health—in your work.”
The last word alone seemed to rouse him from his indifference.
“My work?” he replied, also in English, which he spoke like a native.
Then taking a pebble71 between his index finger and bent72 thumb, as a boy plays at marbles, he projected it against one of the little sand-heaps. It scattered73, and he jumped for joy.
“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.
“You see,” said the director, addressing the Count d’Artigas. “The idea of his invention never leaves him.”
“And it will die with him,” affirmed the attendant.
“Couldn’t you, Gaydon, get him to talk about his fulgurator?” asked his chief.
“I will try, if you order me to do so, sir.”
“Well, I do order you, for I think it might interest the Count d’Artigas.”
“Certainly,” assented74 the Count, whose physiognomy betrayed no sign of the sentiments which were agitating75 him.
“I ought to warn you that I risk bringing on another fit,” observed Gaydon.
“You can drop the conversation when you consider it prudent76. Tell Thomas Roch that a foreigner wishes to negotiate with him for the purchase of his fulgurator.”
“But are you not afraid he may give his secret away?” questioned the Count.
He spoke with such vivacity77 that Gaydon could not restrain a glance of distrust, which, however, did not appear to disturb the equanimity78 of that impenetrable nobleman.
“No fear of that,” said the warder. “No promise would induce him to divulge79 his secret. Until the millions he demands are counted into his hand he will remain as mute as a stone.”
“I don’t happen to be carrying those millions about me,” remarked the Count quietly.
Gaydon again touched Roch on the shoulder and repeated:
“Thomas Roch, here are some foreigners who are anxious to acquire your invention.”
The madman started.
“My invention?” he cried. “My deflagrator?”
And his growing animation80 plainly indicated the imminence81 of the fit that Gaydon had been apprehensive82 about, and which questions of this character invariably brought on.
“How much will you give me for it—how much?” continued Roch. “How much—how much?”
“Ten million dollars,” replied Gaydon.
“Ten millions! Ten millions! A fulgurator ten million times more powerful than anything hitherto invented! Ten millions for an autopropulsive projectile83 which, when it explodes, destroys everything in sight within a radius84 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!”
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.
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!”
“Billions! Billions!”
Gaydon turned to the director and remarked:
“I told you how it would be.”
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.
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.
“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.”
“Very likely,” replied the Count, “still, if his pecuniary86 demands are supremely87 absurd, he has none the less invented an engine the power of which is infinite, one might say.”
“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.”
“Mayhap the sentiment of hatred88 will remain, though,” muttered the Count, as Spade joined them at the garden gate.
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1
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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deducted
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| v.扣除，减去( deduct的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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ensemble
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| n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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robustly
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| adv.要用体力地，粗鲁地 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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maritime
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| adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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denominations
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| n.宗派( denomination的名词复数 )；教派；面额；名称 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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munitions
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| n.军火，弹药；v.供应…军需品 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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prattling
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的现在分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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necessitates
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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velvety
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| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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alleys
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| 胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径 | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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divulge
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| v.泄漏(秘密等)；宣布，公布 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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imminence
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| n.急迫，危急 | |
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apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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projectile
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| n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的 | |
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radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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