warning, it will be a stiff one.
Otherwise, I go. Take your choice."

"What did I tell you?" said Moreas angrily to the others. "I wish to
goodness you were all at the bottom of the sea."

"That is very likely," returned Max. "But as we're not, you've got to
give yourself the pleasure of our society. Has anyone else any objection
to raise?"

He looked round at the assembled company. His coolness had evidently
impressed them.

"If you are determined to go, and Moreas is willing to give half of his
share to you, I don't know that anything more need be said," observed
the Englishman. "Personally, I think it's a pity to bring a fifth person
in; but, as he says, it is his affair, not ours. I'll give you one piece
of advice, however, if you are coming; don't try to play any tricks with
us."

"Or with me," put in Moreas sulkily. "If you do, you'll find yourself in
the wrong box. By the time I've paid all of you your shares there will
be nothing left for myself. I only hope nothing will go wrong."

"It had better not," answered Max. "At least, so far as you are
concerned. You know me, I think, and I know you."

Moreas instinctively thought of the game of cards they had played
together on the _Diamintina_, and of the pistol practice that had
followed it. Was Max's speech only a part of the game of bluff they were
both playing, or was it really intended as a warning to himself? A look
of real apprehension flashed across his face. The Englishman observed
it, and, if he had entertained suspicions before as to their complicity
in the affair, this effectually dispersed them. They thereupon proceeded
to make the final arrangements for the journey. A rendezvous was agreed
upon for the following morning, and, this done, Max rose to take his
leave.

"Adeos, Senors," he said, bowing to them with graceful insolence. "I
have the honour to bid you farewell until to-morrow."

Then he left the room and went downstairs. But he did not leave the
neighbourhood. According to the plan they had arranged, he took up his
position in a dark corner of the street until he had seen the others
depart. Then he returned to the house and rejoined Moreas.

"You played your part extremely well," said the latter patronisingly.
"It's a long time since I witnessed a prettier bit of acting than when
you told me I had better see that nothing went wrong while we were
away."

"Don't be too sure it was all acting," replied Max quietly. "You have
brought