further. As soon as we get to Rio I shall have a document
drawn up in which I shall renounce, once and for all, any claim I may
have upon the throne. Let my brother take it; he is a far better man in
every way, and though you may think me a fool for saying so, I have felt
for many years positively certain in my own mind that he is decreed by
fate to occupy it."

With that, Max told Bertram the old legend of Michael's cross, and of
the gipsy's prophecy concerning it.

"Do you really mean to say that you believe it?" asked Bertram when he
had finished.

"I certainly do," Max answered, "and you can see for yourself how much
of it has come true. Paul has Michael's cross upon his brow, and he will
sit upon the throne as soon as the Republic shall come to an end. I am
as confident of that as I am of anything. And now let us discuss the
pros and cons of this South Seas business. I am all eagerness to embark
upon it."

They did as he suggested, and for over an hour were busily engaged
working out the details of the scheme. Eventually it was arranged that
they should start for Rio next morning, and find some one there to draw
up the deed of which Max had just spoken, and who could be trusted to
keep his secret, and when it had been despatched to the proper quarter,
make for the capital of the Argentine, and thence across the Andes into
Chili, embarking as soon as a vessel could be found for the islands.
That night Max dreamed of tropical islands lifting their palm-clad heads
out of azure seas, of fast-sailing schooners, and a life that was all
sunshine and excitement. When he woke he was even more keen on the
notion than he had been on the previous day. They caught an early train
for Rio, and towards the middle of the afternoon found themselves once
more in the capital of the Republic. Now what Max had to do was to get
his money out of the bank and to transact his legal business without
Brockford or De Montezma becoming aware of it.

"I will give you my cheque," he said to Bertram, when they had taken up
their abode at a small hotel at the opposite end of the town to that at
which his friends had their offices. "You can cash it while I remain in
the background."

Bertram agreed, and set off upon his errand. On entering the bank he
placed the cheque upon the counter. The cashier picked it up and
examined the signature with a look of surprise upon his face. The
manager happened to be passing at the moment, and when the draf