ince Ferdinand of Lilienhoehe."

Whether Brockford intended his information to come as a surprise to Max
I cannot say, but there is no doubt that the news of my engagement took
the latter wholly aback. He clutched at the verandah rail, and for a
moment seemed stunned by the intelligence. The only explanation I can
furnish for his not having heard it before is, that while it was
impossible for him to see any newspapers during his illness, he had not
bothered to look up the back files afterwards, to see what had been
going on in Europe during the time he was cut off from the world.

"That settles it," said Brockford to himself, as he watched him. "He is
the Crown Prince, as I thought, and he left England in order that his
brother might be in a position to marry the woman he loved. I thought
such chivalry had vanished from the world."

A few moments later, when Max had recovered somewhat from the shock he
had received, he turned to Brockford and held out his hand, which the
other took.

"Forgive me," he said. "I was not quite myself a few moments ago. I am
all right now, however. As you say, it is best that we should come to an
understanding with each other. What is it you wish me to say or do?"

"Nothing," answered Brockford. "I have been reproaching myself for
having said so much already. I am a meddlesome old fool, but I had not
the least intention of hurting or offending you. I hope you will believe
that. My only desire is to let you see plainly that you possess a friend
in me, upon whom you can rely, happen what may."

"I am quite aware of that," returned Max. "You don't surely think I
doubted it for a moment. You have proved yourself one of the best
friends a man could possibly have, and I should be the meanest hound on
earth if I did not remember that, and be grateful to you for it all the
days of my life."

"Tut, tut! you must not talk like that," said Brockford. "I did no more
for you than I should have done for anyone else. I helped you because I
liked your face. But we are wandering away from the point. What I want
to say to you is that, come what may, the Crown Prince's secret, if he
has one, poor fellow, is quite safe with me. Not a hint concerning it
shall pass my lips."

With that the kind-hearted old fellow shook Max heartily by the hand
once more, and then, bidding him a hurried good-night, hastened into the
house, and was seen no more.

Next morning when he and Mr. Brockford met at breakfast, th