the pain I have caused you these few weeks past. Remember always
that, even though I gave way, I did not fall altogether. Try also
to understand that my victory over myself was, in a great measure,
a proof of my love for you. God bless you always. Think sometimes
of

Your ever affectionate brother,

MAX.

In a postscript there were a few directions as to what should be done
with his valet, Theodore, and the manner in which his horses and other
belongings should be disposed of.

For some moments after I had read it, I stood holding the letter in my
hand, staring at it in blank amazement. I read it again and again,
trying, in vain, to arrive at a proper understanding of it. Of one thing
there could be no doubt. He had proposed to the Princess, and she had
told him that she did not love him. He had accordingly determined to
relinquish his position in society and to go abroad, rather than allow
her to be forced into a marriage with a man she did not love. Was ever a
man more noble? At the same time it occurred to me that he had often
stated that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to endeavour to
win a position for himself in a new country, where nobody knew him, and
his rank could be of no assistance to his efforts. This was what he was
going to do now. But it was impossible we could permit it. At any hazard
I felt that I must find him, and argue it out with him, before he could
leave England. For my father's and mother's, for his own, for mine, and
for Pannonia's sakes, he must be prevented from committing this rash
act. At that moment Felix entered the room once more.

"I have made inquiries," he began, "but Theodore declares he knows
nothing of his master's movements. He was told to wait here until he
received his instructions from your Highness."

"Tell him that I will see him later," I answered. "In the meantime give
me my hat and call a hansom. I am going out."

A cab having been obtained, I bade the man drive me to the nearest
telegraph office. Once there I wired to my father to know if he had seen
anything of Max, and implored him, should he put in an appearance, to
keep him until I arrived. Then I drove to Scotland Yard, where I sent in
my card to the Chief Officer of the Detective Department. To him, in
confidence, I imparted my fears, and told him that, if possible, I
wanted my brother's whereabouts ascertained before it would be possible
for him to leave England,