g as you
propose."

"Very good; that settles it. Now we'd better arrange one or two other
little matters while we're about it, and then postpone the remainder
until they arrive."

It was not until nearly nine o'clock that evening that the three men,
whom Moreas had informed Max were so determined to share the chances of
the expedition with him, put in an appearance. It was part of the plan,
that Max and he had arranged together, that the former should not be in
the room when they arrived. He was to drop in half an hour or so later,
as if by chance, and then to appear annoyed at finding them there. When
he did so, Moreas greeted him with well-simulated surprise. The others
stared at the intruder, as if they scarcely knew what to make of him,
and then at Moreas, as if they were suspicious of his action in the
matter. On his part Max studied them with equal interest. The taller of
the trio was an Englishman, possibly thirty-five years of age, who
boasted a frank and extremely pleasing countenance. His name was
Bertram, and, as Max discovered later, he had occupied a good position
in the world, from which he had fallen, more by his own folly than on
account of any material wrong-doing. The other two were unmistakably
Spaniards. The name of one was Diego Pereira, that of the other Antonio
Rodriguez. Neither of them were particularly pleasant-looking fellows,
and Max wondered as he looked at them what it was that had made the
Englishman associate with them.

At the moment Max entered, the two Spaniards were talking vociferously.
From what he could catch of their conversation it appeared that they
were extremely dissatisfied with something Moreas had done, and desired
to make trouble out of it if only such a thing were possible. Their
grievance eventually proved to be his own importation into the affair,
of which Moreas had been telling them.

"But what can I do?" the latter asked snappishly. "He swears that he
will come with us, and how am I to prevent him?"

"As it appears that I am the subject of your conversation," said Max
coolly, seating himself on the table, "perhaps I may be permitted to say
a word. Let me inform you, therefore, once and for all, that it is not a
bit of use Moreas or anybody else trying to keep me out of the business.
I know all the ins and outs of it, and, I tell you plainly, our friend
here doesn't leave Rio without me. You can buy me off if you're willing
to pay my price, but, I give you fair