"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.
Thomas Roch was the only patient in the establishment isolated and kept under special surveillance.

All the other invalids lived in the main building, or occupied pavilions in the front of the park.

The plan was to try and seize Roch and Gaydon separately and bind and gag them before they could cry out.
The Count d'Artigas and his companion wended their way to a creek where one of the _Ebba's_ boats awaited them.

The schooner was anchored two cable lengths from the shore, her sails neatly rolled upon her yards, which were squared as neatly as those of a pleasure yacht or of a man-of-war.

At the peak of the mainmast a narrow red pennant was gently swayed by the wind, which came in fitful puffs from the east.
The Count and the captain jumped into the boat and a few strokes of the four oars brought them alongside of the schooner.