The Count d'Artigas is my backer and Engineer Serko is my partner.

We are going to exploit my invention! We are going to make my fulgurator! Hence! Get you gone!" Thomas Roch is in a perfect fury.

He raises his voice, agitates his arms, and finally pulls from his pockets many rolls of dollar bills and banknotes, and handfuls of English, French, American and German gold coins, which slip through his fingers and roll about the cavern.
How could he get all this money except from Ker Karraje, and as the price of his secret?
The noise he makes attracts a number of men to the scene.

They watch us for a moment, then seize Thomas Roch and drag him away.

As soon as I am out of his sight he ceases-to struggle and becomes calm again.
_July 27._--Two hours after meeting with Thomas Roch, I went down to the lagoon and walked out to the edge of the stone jetty.
The tug is not moored in its accustomed place, nor can I see it anywhere about the lake.