They went over the common rooms and private habitations of the establishment, the director prattling 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 bosoms 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 chatter with apparent interest, probably in order the better to dissemble the real motive 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?”

“You refer to Thomas Roch, I presume, Count?” queried the director.

“Precisely—­that Frenchman—­that inventor—­whose mental condition is said to be very precarious.”

“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 entirely 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 faculties?”

“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, remains 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 confinement is well justified 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 necessitates.  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 implicit 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 noted down and its value would be passed upon by those competent to judge.”