When it is seen that the _Sword_ 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.
I have resumed my usual existence, and having allayed all mistrust, am permitted to wander freely about the cavern, as usual.
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.
The _Ebba_ 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.
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: "If the appearance of the _Sword_ in the lagoon was due to chance the situation remains unchanged, and no power, not even England, will think of seeking for the _Sword_ inside the cavern.