l be glad to fall in with
your plans."

"My dear fellow," the other cried enthusiastically, "I am quite sure we
can agree on that and every other point. What is it you want to know?"

"Well, in the first instance, I want you to tell me when you intend
starting on this expedition?" asked Max. "It is most imperative."

"The deuce it is!" returned Moreas, "what is the reason of it
all--forgery, murder, or only petty larceny? I thought you had settled
down to a respectable business career, and that you were determined to
emulate the clinging propensities of the limpet?"

"My business career, as you call it, has suddenly come to a standstill,"
said Max gloomily, without thinking or caring very much what
construction the other might place upon his statement. "It is sufficient
that I must not be seen in Rio for some time to come, if ever."

"That is where the wind sits, is it?" retorted Moreas. "Well, it's no
business of mine, of course; but, without wishing to be rude, I must say
that I didn't think you had it in you. Hadn't you better make a clean
breast of it to me, and see what I can do to help you? I'm rather
resourceful in such matters."

"Good heavens! man," Max cried, "you don't surely suppose I'm wanting to
keep out of the way because I've done anything wrong, do you? If you
should----"

"My dear fellow," said Moreas with a deprecatory wave of his hand, "I
don't think anything of the kind. I never do. It only makes trouble. You
have overrun the constable, I suppose, and want to lie by until the
pursuit has ended. Most of us do that at some time or other in our
lives."

"I've done nothing of the kind," said Max with warmth. "I don't owe a
halfpenny in the world. What's more, I have a considerable sum of money
lying to my credit at my bank. No, the sole reason I have for wanting to
get away quickly is because to-day I saw somebody connected with my old
life. He's looking for me in Rio, and I want to make sure that he shall
not find me."

"That is very easily managed."

"How am I to do it, then?"

"Stay here," said Moreas. "They will never think of looking for you in
this quarter of the town. Until we leave, you will be as safe here as if
you were in the centre of Africa. You don't surely suppose I haven't
good and sufficient reasons for living in this hole? Of course I have,
and this is one of them. If you think you can make yourself comfortable
here, you are welcome to stay. What have you to say to my pro