And to think that had I not returned to the pavilion when I did, had I delayed a few minutes longer, I should have found him gone! Let me think.

What could have inspired that Count d'Artigas with the unfortunate curiosity to visit Healthful House?
If he had not been allowed to see my patient nothing of the kind would have happened.
Talking to Thomas Roch about his inventions brought on a fit of exceptional violence.

The director is primarily to blame for not heeding my warning.

Had he listened to me the doctor would not have been called upon to attend him, the door of the pavilion would have been locked, and the attempt of the band would have been frustrated.
As to the interest there could have been in carrying off Thomas Roch, either on behalf of a private person or of one of the states of the Old World, it is so evident that there is no need to dwell upon it.
However, I can be perfectly easy about the result.

No one can possibly succeed in learning what for fifteen months I have been unable to ascertain.