"If Your Highness would glance at these documents-- This is a copy
of the register of the church in which your mother and father were
married."

John glanced at the document. It was perfectly lucid.

"Then--then it's true!" he said.

"Perfectly true, Your Highness. And I am here to inform--"

"But where the deuce is Mervo? I never heard of the place."

"It is an island principality in the Mediterranean, Your High--"

"For goodness' sake, old man, don't keep calling me 'Your Highness.' It
may be fun to you, but it makes me feel a perfect ass. Let me get into
the thing gradually."

Mr. Crump felt in his pocket.

"Mr. Scobell," he said, producing a roll of bills, "entrusted me with
money to defray any expenses--"

More than any words, this spectacle removed any lingering doubt which
John might have had as to the possibility of this being some intricate
practical joke.

"Are these for me?" he said.