e with it, soon became painfully apparent. Wherever I went those
three men followed me, until at last their leader, an Englishman, came
boldly up and placed a proposal before me. If I were prepared to allow
them to participate to a certain extent, they were willing to find a
proportion of the necessary money; they would also accompany me, and do
their best to find the place in question. If I would not consent, then
they would not allow me to go without them. I argued, threatened, and
even attempted to buy them off, but it was of no use. They stuck to
their point like bulldogs. Either they must be permitted to go with me,
or I should not go at all. At last, seeing that I could do nothing else,
I was perforce compelled to agree to their terms."

"And what do you intend doing now?" Max inquired.

"To-night we are going to meet here, and make the final arrangements;
after that we shall start away on our journey."

"And what part am I to play in the performance?"

"That's exactly what we have to arrange," Moreas replied. "As I have
already told you, these fellows are none too well disposed towards
myself. If it should come to fighting, as it may very well do, they
could act as they please with me. I should be powerless to resist them.
My idea, therefore, is to get hold of some good man, and import him into
the business, not as a friend of my own, but in the capacity of another
enemy. To all appearances he would be hand-in-glove with them, but in
reality he would be my ally, ready to step up and turn the tables,
should they make themselves objectionable. Do you understand?"

Max replied that he understood perfectly well, but he was not quite
certain that he altogether liked the idea. He was certainly not going to
act in the capacity of a spy, either for Moreas or for anyone else. He
said as much to the other, who laughed the matter off.

"My dear fellow, I don't want you to be a spy at all," he said. "What on
earth put that notion into your head? I should be the last to suggest
such a thing. No, all I want you to do is to prevent them from playing
me false. If you come with me as my friend, they'll turn you out again.
Don't you see? They're much too sharp to let me employ a bodyguard to
act against themselves. All you will have to do will be to stand between
us in the capacity of an umpire, and see that there is fair play on both
sides. Now, what have you to say?"

"Under those circumstances I have no objection to actin