Facing the Flag

In the quiet marshlands of Pamlico Sound, an exclusive health resort called Healthful House caters to the nation’s wealthiest convalescents. When the enigmatic Count d’Artigas arrives aboard the schooner Ebba, he brings with him a curious request: a private audience with a French patient whose reputation precedes him. The Count’s presence, along with the seasoned Captain Spade, sets the stage for a subtle clash of personalities amid the resort’s manicured gardens and breezy estuaries.

As the visitors settle in, they discover that Thomas Roch, a celebrated Frenchman under observation for a lingering mental ailment, retains a sharp, analytical mind despite his condition. The initial days reveal a delicate balance between hospitality and intrigue, hinting at motives that may extend far beyond simple curiosity. Listeners are drawn into a world where science, secrecy, and the lure of the unknown begin to intertwine, promising a tale that unfolds with the measured suspense of a classic adventure.