r replied. "The man states that he has not only
seen your brother, but has spoken to him. He will not, however, reveal
the name of the place, or say anything more concerning it, to anyone
save yourself. If you would care to see him, I will conduct you to the
ward. I must ask, however, that you will make the interview as short as
possible, for the man is in a highly dangerous condition.

"He is a sailor, and was badly injured two days ago by a fall from the
rigging of a ship. If your Highness is ready, shall we proceed
upstairs?"

"By all means," I answered.

Then without delay he led me upstairs to one of the principal wards.

"Gulliver is in here," he said in a whisper. Beckoning one of the nurses
to him, he said something to her in a low voice, after which, inviting
me to follow him, he led the way towards a bed at the further end of the
room. A screen had been placed before it, and, when we approached, a
nurse was feeding the sick man from an invalid cup. He proved to be a
rough-looking fellow, between thirty and forty years of age.

The doctor felt his pulse, and then, placing a chair beside the bed,
invited me to seat myself.

"Gulliver," he said, bending over him and speaking in a low voice, "this
is Prince Paul of Pannonia, whose brother's whereabouts you profess to
be able to reveal."

"So I can, sir," said the sick man feebly, turning his head and staring
at me. "I know where 'e is, or ought to be, at this 'ere moment. But
afore I gives it away, I want to know what I'm a-goin' to git for my
information. That's only business, I reckon."

He paused for a moment to recover his breath.

"It isn't for meself I cares," he continued, "but the doctor 'ere tells
me I'm a-goin' to slip me cable before long, and that bein' so, who's
a-goin' to pervide for the missus and the kids?"

He gazed fixedly at me, as if he were waiting for an answer to his
question.

"If your information is really valuable," I replied, "I shall be very
happy to pay you a substantial price for it. But you must be able to
convince me first that it is genuine. Have you any definite sum in your
mind?"

"Well, sir," the man returned, "if I puts you on his track, I reckon
it's worth a 'undred quid to yer, isn't it?"

"I will pay you a hundred pounds with pleasure," I answered.

"But you must let me see the brass first," he returned. "I can't afford
to take no risks."

"Come, come, my man," said the doctor, shocked at his discourtesy,