otograph of himself, taken with a group of his brother officers. You
and he were standing side by side, I remember. If you don't mind my
saying so, you are the man who has been missing for so long, and about
whom there has been so much talk--the Crown Prince of Pannonia."

"Hush, hush!" cried Max, as if he were afraid some one might overhear
the other's words. "For heaven's sake don't talk so loud. You see, I
don't deny the truth of your words. I suppose it would be no use. What a
strange world it is, to be sure! My only reason for coming on this
journey was because I was afraid of being recognised in Rio. Now it
appears that it is destined for one of the men I am travelling with to
find me out. What a fool I was ever to talk to you about Yorkshire!"

"It was I who started it," said the other apologetically, as if he were
anxious to bear his proper share of the blame. "I'm sorry I asked you
such questions, since it has caused you pain. I'm not much of a fellow,
and I suppose there are a good many people who wouldn't trust me as far
as they can see me; all the same, if you like, I will give you my word
that your secret shall never pass my lips. I'll do that for the sake of
poor old Dick, whose friend and comrade you once were."

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Max. "Since my reasons
were of sufficient importance to induce me to leave home, and give up
everything that a man ought to hold dear, it may be supposed I am not
anxious that other people should recognise me and drive me further
afield again. If you will keep my secret, you will lay me under an
everlasting obligation."

"Your secret is safe with me," answered Bertram solemnly. "I will pledge
you my word on it, if you like."

"I'll believe you without that," said Max. "Let us shake hands upon it."

They accordingly did so. Though they could not, of course, realise it
then, that hand-shake was significant in a variety of ways. Among other
things, it laid the foundation of a friendship that was as sincere as it
was mutual.

A few minutes later they retired into the house, and, when they had
found a corner in which the night might be spent in comparative peace,
if not in any degree of comfort, they wrapped themselves in their
blankets and were soon asleep. Max and Bertram were early astir next
morning. Not so the revellers of the previous evening. Like warriors on
a battlefield, they lay just where they had fallen. Moreas was in the
verandah, Ro