sirous of making
your fortunes, go and search for yourselves; but the stones which cost
Moreas his life, and very nearly cost me mine, shall remain where they
are hidden."

With that decision the two men were compelled to be content, but black
looks and sinister mutterings became the order of the day, and more than
once it was necessary for Bertram to give them very plainly to
understand what course he should adopt in the event of certain
contingencies arising.

"And what are we going to do now?" Bertram inquired of Max, when the
latter had recovered sufficiently to make it possible for them to think
of retracing their steps to civilisation.

"That's more than I can say," Max replied. "Let us get back into the
world first."

Next day they accordingly started on their homeward journey, but for the
first week they were compelled to travel slowly, on account of Max's
still enfeebled condition. Little by little, however, his strength
returned to him, until, by the time they had reached the forest, which
alone separated them from the village at the end of the railway, the
same at which they had purchased the mules, he was almost himself again.
On arrival they installed themselves at the _hospederia_, the same at
which Bertram had announced his recognition of Max as the Crown Prince
of Pannonia, and at which Moreas and the Spaniards had indulged in their
orgie so many months before. What a variety of things had happened since
they had said good-bye to it! Then, they had been setting out on the
expedition, full of hope and confidence; now, they had returned, minus
one of their party, and without the great wealth which they expected to
bring with them. They had, however, the small bag which Max had brought
with him, and this being so, on the morning following their arrival,
Bertram set off for Rio, returning next day with an elderly individual
who weighed, tested, and valued the stones. A price having been agreed
upon between them, the money was paid over and each man received his
share, after which the old gentleman returned to the capital, and all
that was left was for Max and Bertram to decide what their future
movements should be. The two Spaniards had determined to take a holiday,
then they intended purchasing fresh mules with which to make another
attempt to reach the place where the diamonds were hidden. Again and
again they had endeavoured to induce Max to reveal the hiding-place, but
without success. Finding entre