"Many and fantastic are the suggestions that have been put forward as to the whereabouts of the Nine Men of Cadiz. One of our contemporaries draws a fanciful picture of life on some gorgeous Southern Pacific isle, out of the track of steamers, and pictures the Nine Men living in a condition of Oriental splendour, an existence of _dolce far niente_. Such a supposition is, of course, on the face of it absurd. Such an island exists only in the fancy of the romantic writer. The uninhabited portions of the globe are few, and are, in the main, of the character of the Sahara desert. Wherever life can be sustained, wherever comfort and freedom from disease wait the newcomer, be sure the newcomer has already arrived." This much is quoted from the _Journal_ because it approaches near enough to truth and actuality to merit quotation. That Baggin had based all his plans on the supposition that such an island existed, and could be discovered, we now know. He was the possessor of an imagination, but his geographical knowledge was faulty. The "idea," that scrap of paper which Count Poltavo had risked his neck to obtain, was simple enough now--up to a point. THE "IDEA" THE SOLUTION "Suppose we separated, "Some spot," meant where to meet? Must be some place on land. some spot; yet that would be dangerous." "Otherwise, must be The latitude and longitude easily remembered. of sea rendezvous Especially as it is difficult must be easy to remember. for non-technical (?) to fix in mind, and one cipher makes all the difference." "Suggest we rendezvous at Lolo." This last was the only part of the little clue that offered any difficulty to T. B. The _Gazetteer_ supplied no explanation. Nor could the Admiralty help. The naval authorities did their best to unravel the mystery of "Lolo." A conference of the Ambassadors met in London, and it was jointly agreed that the nations should act in concert to bring the _Maria Braganza_ and her crew to justice as speedily as possible. The Brazilian Government agreed to indemnify the Powers in their action, and, in the event of the destruction of the ship being necessitated by resistance on the part of its rebel captain, to accept an agreed sum as compensation. There are surprising periods of inaction in the record of all great accomplishments, which those who live, rather than those who read the stories of achievements, realise.