Chapter 25 Chapter 1 Fortress of Ceuta

Three weeks after the events in the province of Catania, on September 21st, the "Ferjato", a fast motorboat, was sailing between Cape Europa and Allegro with a strong northeasterly wind. Between Cape Mina.Although Cape Europa is on Spanish land, it is owned by the British; although Cape Almina is on Moroccan land, it is Spanish territory.The two headlands are sixteen kilometers apart.According to legend, it was Heracles, the ancestor of Mr. Lyceeps, who split the rocks in this area with a stick and connected the waterway from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. If Boscade was also on the boat at this time, he would not forget to point to the Gibraltar cliff in the north and Harshaw Mountain in the south, and explain these origins to Mativ in detail.Because the stone pillars of Carpena and Abila on the north and south sides still bear the name of Matif's famous ancestor Heracles.Matif could have given due credit to this "feat" without thinking, and this Heracles of Provence would have worshiped the son of Zeus and Alcmene.

However, unfortunately, among the passengers on board, Matif and Burscade were not seen.They remained in Antakit, where Matiff was watching over Burscade.Soon afterward, if they were needed, the doctor would notify them, and an electric speedboat would be dispatched to fetch them. There were only two passengers on board the "Ferhato" under the command of captain Kostrik and first mate Luigi: the doctor and Pierre Bathory.The last time they went to Sicily to find traces of Saccani and Silas Doronta, Zirona died, and the expedition naturally found nothing.Now only by forcing Carpena to reveal what he knows about Saccani and his accomplices can they be recovered.However, the Spaniard, a lifelong convict, had been thrown into the prison of the fortress of Ceuta.So you have to go there, find him, get close to him.

Ceuta is a small town in the fortress of Gibraltar, built on the eastern slope of Mount Harshaw.At almost nine o'clock this morning, it could be seen from the port of Ceuta that the motorboat "Feihato" sailed to the sea nearly five kilometers offshore. The famous Strait of Gibraltar is very lively, it is simply the throat between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.The sea water of the Atlantic pours in from here, and countless ships from Northern Europe, North and South America sail from here to hundreds of ports along the Mediterranean coast.These powerful liners, these ships of war, came and went, and it was the genius of the French that opened for them the gates to the Indian and southern seas.The Strait of Gibraltar looks like a canal, surrounded by graceful mountains, the scenery is picturesque and beautiful.On the north bank, the outlines of the peaks of the Andalusian Mountains are clearly identifiable; on the south bank, along the coast from Cape Sparta to Cape Almina, there are peaks of Brona Montenegro, Monkey Mountain, and Seven Brothers, which are amazing.In the depths of the small bays on the right and left banks, on the low sandy beaches and hillsides under the high mountains, there are many beautiful cities: Talifa, Alheciras, Tangier, Ceuta.The steamboat galloped on the sea, riding the wind and waves.Sometimes hundreds of sailing ships are held up at the entrance to the western end of the strait by the westerly wind.The water in the strait is rippling, showing different colors. Here it is gray and surging, while there is blue waves, peaceful and peaceful.The small wave peaks stirred up by the countercurrent in the distance stretched away, and the scene was spectacular.The Strait of Gibraltar makes Europe and Africa face each other across the sea, showing the exotic customs of the two continents. In front of these strange and magnificent beauty, who can not feel relaxed and happy?

The "Ferhato" quickly approached the African continent.The small cove deep into the land quickly disappeared behind the motorboat, while the Ceuta Rock gradually came into view, more clearly than the coastline hooked to the south, and the cliff seemed to grow larger and larger, like the sea. A larger island appeared under the corner, connected to the mainland by a narrow subway.Near the top of Harshaw Hill, a small fortress stands on the site of an ancient Roman city.Coastal sentinels are there constantly watching the strait, paying particular attention to movements on Moroccan territory.Ceuta is just a foreign possession on Moroccan territory, and its mountainous terrain resembles the small Principality of Monaco on French territory.

At ten o'clock in the morning, the "Feihato" berthed in the port.Because of the turbulent waves, it had to stop four hundred meters away from the unloading pier.There is only one anchorage that is exposed to wind and waves, and it is often pounded by the wild waves of the Mediterranean Sea.Fortunately, when the west of Ceuta cannot anchor, the ship can find a second anchorage on the east of the hanging rock to avoid the westerly wind. Customs officers boarded the "Ferhato" and conducted a free verification.At one o'clock the doctor, accompanied by Pierre, landed on a small pier at the foot of the city wall.It was clear that the doctor was intent on getting Carpena.But by what means can he achieve this goal?Only after doing some on-the-spot investigation, according to the actual situation: either rob the Spaniard from prison, or provide him with convenience and help him escape from the Ceuta Fortress.

This time, the doctor didn't intentionally block the news that he came, on the contrary, he hoped to let the news out.The intelligence personnel on board had already spread the news of the arrival of this famous and famous man.From the Suez Canal to the whole of Arabia, who knows, who doesn't know this famous doctor of Asia Minor on the island of Antekyet, who retreated to the depths of the Gulf of Sylt?Therefore, both the Spaniards and the Moroccans greeted him enthusiastically.He also does not refuse outsiders to visit the ship.After a while, many small boats docked beside the "Ferhato".

This spreading of the news was apparently part of the doctor's plan to use his fame to help him achieve his goals.Pierre and he do not shy away from the hilarious spectacle in which the public welcomes them.They first took a four-wheeled carriage from the largest hotel in Ceuta to visit the city.The streets in the city are narrow, and the houses on both sides are simple and unsophisticated, lacking both architectural features and bright colors.Looking up is a small training ground, surrounded by low trees.Behind a grove of trees was a disgusting tavern, and one or two civilian buildings that looked like barracks—except for the Moorish streets and houses that had not faded in color, the rest of the buildings were featureless.

Near two o'clock in the afternoon, the doctor asked the coachman to take him to the governor's residence. He wanted to visit the governor of Ceuta. Of course, this was just a courtesy visit to the governor by a distinguished foreigner. Obviously, the governor here is not a civil official, because first of all this is a military colony.Ceuta has about 100,000 residents, including officers, soldiers, merchants, fishermen and sailors, scattered in the city and a narrow strip extending eastward.This strip is the complement of the Spanish colony. Ceuta was then under the command of Colonel Guillard, a senior officer who commanded three battalions of infantry, a punitive squad permanently stationed in the small colony, two batteries of artillery, and a bridging company.In addition to this there was a company of Moors whose families lived in a separate quarter.As for the prisoners, there were about 2,000 people.

The doctor rode out of the city in a carriage, and drove to the governor's mansion along a gravel road that led directly to the eastern end of Ceuta. On both sides of the road, the narrow section between the foot of the mountain and the beach is farmland.The residents worked hard and struggled against the barren land, and these farmlands actually grew various vegetables and fruit trees. The state not only uses exiles to work, builds forts, builds roads, and maintains roads without interruption.And when they behaved well, they also had them act as city cops, who watched others while being watched by others.These prisoners who were sent to Ceuta Fortress were all sentenced to more than 20 years, or even life imprisonment.Private individuals may also employ their labor under certain conditions set by the government.

When the doctor toured the city, he met dozens of prisoners walking freely in the streets.They probably belonged to that class of prisoners in private employment.Yet outside the fortified walls he would see more prisoners working the roads or the fields. First of all, it is very important to figure out what kind of prisoner Carpena is in the fortress.Is he in prison, or free?Was he working in a private home, or was he serving the state?The doctor must implement his plan flexibly according to the specific situation of Carpena. "But," said the doctor to Pierre, "because of his recent sentence, he probably does not yet enjoy the privileges accorded to well-behaved old prisoners."

"What shall we do if he is in the cell?" asked Pierre. "That would be even more difficult," the doctor replied, "but he must be brought out, and he must be taken out." The car moved slowly on the road.Two hundred meters outside the castle, a group of prisoners were building a gravel road under the supervision of the Ceuta police.There were more than 50 prisoners there, some were pounding stones, some were paving the road, and some were rolling the road with a road roller.The doctor's carriage had to go along one side of the road, the side that hadn't been repaired. Suddenly the doctor seized Pierre Bathory by the arm and said in a low voice: "He!" A man was standing about twenty meters away from his companions, holding on to the handle of an iron pickaxe.He is Carpena. Just as Maria recognized Carpena in Maltese attire in the alley of Mandracho, so the doctor had just recognized this Istriali in prison uniform fifteen years ago. Sub-salt worker.This guy is lazy and uncrafted, even the factories in the fortress can't use him.So I can only let him do some clumsy things like gravel repairs. The doctor recognized Carpena, but Carpena could not recognize Count Mathias Sanddorf from the doctor.I think that when Carpena brought the police to the fisherman Feihato's house, he only vaguely saw Count Sandov.Now, like the other prisoners, he had only learned that Dr. Antekit had come to Ceuta.Carpena knew in his heart that this famous doctor was the one whom Chirona had mentioned to him near the cave of Polyphemus on the coast of Sicily, the one whom Saccani had urged Chirona to be careful in every possible way.The doctor was a billionaire, and Zirona had raided the Englishman's house in order to catch him.In the end, it was a waste of effort, and it cost my life.He knows all this. When the doctor suddenly appeared in front of him, what was going through his mind?At this moment, what impression left in his mind?It's hard to guess.However, the Spaniard suddenly felt that the doctor's powerful spiritual power seized every nerve in his body, and he was paralyzed in front of the doctor. A foreign will overwhelmed his own will and completely conquered him. .It is futile to resist, he can only succumb to this will. At this moment, the doctor ordered the carriage to stop, and continued to gaze at Carpena with a piercing gaze.The doctor's blazing eyes had a strange and irresistible effect on his mind.The Spaniard gradually lost his senses from dullness.He blinked uncontrollably at first, then closed his eyes, but the eyelids were still trembling.At last the numbness spread throughout his body, and he fell by the side of the road without his companions noticing it.He fell asleep and entered a magnetic hypnotic slumber.None of his companions will be able to wake him up. At this time, the doctor ordered the carriage to continue on the road and went straight to the governor's residence.The scene just now only delayed him for half a minute.Apart from Pierre Bathory, no one noticed what happened between Carpena and the doctor. "The man is mine now," said the doctor confidently to Pierre, "and I can compel him..." "Tell us all he knows?" Pierre asked. "No, but forcing him to do everything I want him to do, and allowing him to do it unconsciously. I felt able to be his master when my first eyes fell on the poor wretch. , to replace his will with my will." "But the man is not sick at all?" "Ah! Do you think that this kind of hypnosis works only on the mentally ill? No, Pierre, the most difficult to accept this kind of hypnosis is those who are insane. People who accept this kind of hypnosis need Possess a will. This time I happened to meet the opportunity and found that Carpena just had the conditions to accept my influence. Therefore, as long as I don’t wake him up, he will sleep forever.” "That's fine," replied Pierre; "but what good is it, even in his present state, to be asleep, and not to be able to tell us what concerns us?" "Of course," replied the doctor, "I can't make him tell everything I don't know, that's obvious. But all I can do is force him to do my will, and let his The will cannot resist my orders. For example, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, a week later, half a year later, even when he is awake, as long as I want him to leave Ceuta Fortress, he must leave!" "Leave the fortress? Come out freely from the fortress?" Pierre asked back. "That would only work with the permission of the gatekeeper! I'm afraid the influence of this suggestion will not be so great that he will break the chain, break through the prison door, and jump over an impenetrable wall..." "No, Pierre," replied the doctor, "I cannot make him do what I cannot do myself, and it is for this reason that I am going to visit the Governor of Ceuta!" Dr. Antekit wasn't exaggerating.The suggestive effects of this hypnotic state are now widely recognized.The writings and observations of Chaco, Brown, Secal, Azam, Richet, Dumontballier, Modly, Bernheim, Haque, Duke, Rierge, and many others, so that they will no longer have any doubts about it.During his sojourn in the Orient the doctor has studied some of the most curious phenomena of suggestion hypnosis, and has thus added to the science of physiology a wealth of new insights.So he knew these phenomena very well, and he was very familiar with what people could do with them.The doctor himself possessed a powerful power of suggestion which he had often exercised in Asia Minor.Now he intended to use this power over Carpena, since chance had made it impossible for the Spaniard to escape his influence. However, even if the doctor becomes the master of Carpena in the future, and can use his will to hint him at the right time to make him do what he wants him to do, the prisoner must be able to act when the opportunity comes. Freedom to do that thing.For this purpose, the consent of the Governor-General is required.And how much the doctor hoped to obtain such permission from Colonel Guillal, so that Carpena could successfully escape from prison! Ten minutes later, the carriage arrived at the gate of the barracks that stood almost on the border of Ceuta, and finally stopped slowly in front of the Governor's official residence. Colonel Guillal had already heard the news that Dr. Antajit had come to Ceuta.The doctor was a famous man, famous and well-known by his brilliance and wealth, and his visit was like that of a traveling lord.When the doctor and his young companion Pierre were shown into the drawing-room of the mansion, the governor repeatedly welcomed them.First of all, the Governor hoped to personally accompany them to visit the city of Ceuta, to visit this small, beautiful Spanish territory that is lucky to be embedded on the coast of Morocco. "Mr. Governor, we are honored to accept your invitation." The doctor replied in Spanish.Pierre not only understood this language, but could speak it as fluently as a doctor. "But, with all due respect, I'm afraid we have no time to appreciate your graciousness." "Ah! the colony is not large, Doctor Antegit," replied the governor. "In half a day, we can go around it, right? Besides, don't you plan to stay here for a while?" "No more than four or five hours," said the doctor. "I'm leaving for Gibraltar this evening, and I'll be there waiting for me tomorrow morning." "We must leave tonight!" cried the governor. "Permit me to make a statement! I assure you, Doctor Antekit, that our military colonies are well worth the effort to study! You have been to many places, and you have undoubtedly seen a lot. But I am not bragging As far as the system implemented in the prison is concerned, Ceuta is worthy of being a place that has attracted the attention of scholars and economists." Apparently out of some kind of pride, the Governor showed a look of complacency in the colony he administered, but he did not underestimate himself.The administrative system of the Ceuta Fortress, whether it is the material treatment of the prisoners or the spiritual correction, is the same as the Seville Fortress, and is known as the best in the European continent.Therefore the governor has repeatedly tried to retain the doctor, hoping to use Dr. Antekit's illustrious name to add glory to the various departments of the prison. "Monsieur Governor, I cannot postpone my trip. Today, however, I am at your disposal, and if you wish..." "It's four o'clock in the afternoon," Colonel Guillal continued, "you see, we don't have much time left..." "Indeed," replied the doctor, "I am particularly sorry that you have entertained me in your colonies, while I have not had the opportunity to entertain you on board my yacht!" "Doctor Antekit, can't you postpone your trip to Gibraltar for a day?" "I repeat, Mr. Governor, I must leave tonight. If tomorrow's appointment does not force me to go to sea tonight, I can certainly postpone it for a day!" said the doctor politely. "It is a pity," replied the governor, "that it would be a lifelong regret not to keep you any longer! But be careful! Your yacht is under the guns of my fortress, and I will only let you know Order, it will sink on the spot!" "But Mr. Governor, you have to be careful of revenge!" The doctor said with a smile. "Are you going to make an enemy of the mighty Antekyte?" "I know it's a great risk!" replied the Governor in the same joking tone. "But if you stay for twenty-four hours longer, you won't take any risks, will you?" Pierre did not join in their conversation, he wondered if the doctor was moving towards his intended goal?Pierre was somewhat taken aback by his determination to leave Ceuta that very evening.In such a short period of time, how could it be possible to coordinate all the necessary measures and links to achieve the goal of Carpena's escape from prison?In a few hours, the prisoners would all return to the fortress and spend the night in their cells.Under such conditions, it would be even more difficult to make Carpena escape from prison. However, when the doctor answered the governor, Pierre suddenly understood: the doctor was acting according to a clear and established plan. "Mr. Governor, I'm really sorry that I can't meet your request today! But I think it's still possible if we make overall adjustments, right?" "Speak, Doctor Antekit, please speak!" "Since I'm supposed to be in Gibraltar tomorrow, I'll have to go tonight. But you don't think you should spend more than two or three days on this English rock. Today is Thursday. I'm going to cancel my trip to the Mediterranean. Sunday morning It was easy enough to pass by Ceuta on the way back..." "It's so easy for you," replied the governor, "but it's a great honor for me! Maybe I'm a little bit of a slouch! Alas, who in this world doesn't like a little slack What about Dr. Antekit, let's make a deal and see you on Sunday, okay?" "Okay. But there is one condition!" "No matter what the conditions are, I will accept them!" "I just want to invite you and your adjutant to come to the 'Ferhato' for lunch." "I promise, Doctor Antekit, I promise...but there is one condition!" "Mr. Governor, I am the same as you. No matter what the conditions are, I have accepted them in advance!" "Mr. Bathory and you are coming to my residence for dinner." "It's a deal," said the doctor, "between lunch and supper . . . " "I will fully exercise my power and let you enjoy my magnificent and splendid kingdom!" Colonel Guyal replied, holding the doctor's hand tightly. Pierre also accepted the invitation and bowed to thank the very kind and proud Governor of Ceuta. At this time the doctor is ready to say goodbye.Pierre saw from the doctor's delighted eyes that he had achieved his goal.The governor also accompanied his future guests and sent them all the way to the city, and the three boarded the car and set off along the only road connecting the official residence with Ceuta. The governor took this opportunity to let them appreciate the more or less controversial beauty of this small colony, talked about the military and civil improvement measures he would carry out here, and added that the status of the ancient Abila was at least not inferior to that of the Strait Calpe, on the other side, pledged to turn Ceuta into a real Gibraltar, as impregnable as that British possession.The Governor attacked Mr. Ford's unreasonable speech: "Ceuta should belong to England, because the Spaniards can't do anything, even can't hold it." The unrepentant British expressed strong indignation.The Governor's remarks are not surprising for a Spaniard. "Don't they want to take Ceuta?" he shouted. "I think they should try to hold Gibraltar first! There is a mountain there, and one day Spain will shake the mountain and smash it on their heads!" The doctor did not ask how the Spaniard would proceed, nor did he wish to dispute the nobleman's impassioned speech.Besides, the carriage stopped suddenly, interrupting the conversation.Some fifty prisoners gathered in the middle of the road, blocking the way of the carriage.The coachman had no choice but to hold the horse and stop the car. The governor immediately motioned to the captain of the police to come and report what was going on.The man immediately walked towards the carriage with military steps, put his feet together, stood at attention, raised his hands to the brim of his hat, and waited for questions like a soldier. The rest, prisoners and guards, stood on both sides of the road. "What's going on?" asked the governor. "Your Excellency," replied the captain of the police, "we found the prisoner off the roadside slope. He seems to be asleep, but we couldn't wake him up." "How long has this been going on?" "About an hour." "Has he been sound asleep?" "Yes, sir, he lost consciousness, as if dead, shook him, pricked him, even shot him in the ear, and he didn't feel anything, as if he didn't hear at all!" "Why don't you call for a doctor?" "I sent for it, sir. But we don't know what to do with him when the man for the doctor is gone." "Then take him to the hospital!" When the captain of the police was about to send someone to carry out the governor's order, the doctor suddenly said: "Mr. Governor, please allow me to examine this stubborn sleeper as a doctor, please? I will gladly examine him!" "Oh! that's your job as a doctor!" replied the governor. "A scoundrel is being treated by Dr. Antekit! . . . He will never complain!" The three of them got out of the car.The doctor walked up to the ear of the prisoner lying on the roadside slope.The man fell into a deep sleep, with only the sound of panting breathing and the beating of the pulse, revealing traces of life. The doctor motioned for everyone to step back, then he bent over the lifeless body, spoke to him in a low voice, and stared at him for a long time, as if he wanted to inject his will into his mind. At last the doctor stood up and said: "It doesn't matter! This person is just suffering from magnetic hypnosis and hypnosis!" "Really?" said the governor. "How strange! Can you wake him up?" "It couldn't be easier!" replied the doctor. The doctor touched Carpena's forehead, then gently rolled up his eyelids, and said: "Wake up! I want you to wake up!" Carpena moved his body and slowly opened his sleepy eyes.The doctor's hands moved from side to side in front of his face, stirring the air.The numbness in Carpena's body gradually disappeared, and he immediately stood up and returned to his companions, completely unaware of what had just happened. The governor, the doctor and Pierre Bathory re-boarded the carriage and drove towards the city. "All in all," asked the Governor, "the fellow must have had a little drink?" "No," replied the doctor, "it's just a common symptom of somnambulism." "But how did it come about?" "Well, I can't answer that, Monsieur Governor. Maybe the man has had it before? But he's all right now, and won't have it again!" The carriage soon reached the castle walls and entered the city.Then, it crossed the city diagonally and stopped at a small square.Below the square is the pier. So the doctor and the governor said good-bye to each other very cordially: "Look, this is the 'Ferhato'," said the doctor, pointing to the rolling boat outside the harbor. "Don't you forget, Monsieur Governor, that you have promised to lunch on my ship on Sunday morning!" "And don't you forget, Doctor Antekit, that you have dinner at my mansion on Sunday night!" "I won't forget it!" replied the doctor. The two said goodbye.It was not until the boat left the shore that the governor reluctantly left the pier. On the way back to the launch, Pierre asked the doctor if all was well and what he wanted.The doctor said to him: "Yes! On Sunday night, with the permission of the Governor of Ceuta, Carpena will come aboard the Ferrharto!" At eight o'clock in the evening, the motorboat left the anchorage and sailed north, and soon Mount Harshaw was lost in the night mist.