There was only one construction that could conscientiously be placed
upon Max's behaviour. This was, that he had got wind of my arrival in
Brazil. But how he had managed to do so--for, of course, I did not know
then that he had recognised me as the occupant of the cab that had so
nearly knocked him down--I could not imagine. No, I only knew that he
was aware of my intentions, and was resolved that we should not come
face to face.
"I feared as much," said Brockford gloomily. "But he cannot have
succeeded in getting very far away in such a short space of time. The
question is, where we are to look for him. Your Royal Highness would, of
course, wish to accompany me on my search?"
I thanked him, and declared that I should be only too grateful, if he
would allow me to do so. It was impossible that I could remain inactive
at such a time. Under such circumstances I should have given way
entirely.
We accordingly bade Montezma good-bye, and set off to the quay, where
his launch was waiting for him, in order that we might interrogate
Manuel, the engineer in charge. The latter, however, declared most
emphatically that he had seen nothing of Senor Mortimer since he had
brought him across from the Island that morning. Nor did he believe that
he had returned thither by any other means. Having satisfied ourselves
on this point we returned to Brockford's office, where, as we expected,
we found a letter couched in similar terms to that received by Senor
Montezma. It had, however, one significant addition. In the postscript
were these words, "Should you see my brother, as you are almost certain
to do, tell him that, dearly as I love him, I shall not let him find me
if he tries for a hundred years. Tell him to return to England, to marry
the woman of his heart, and henceforth to treat me as if I were dead."
"Would it be of any use our putting our case in the hands of the
police?" I inquired. "It would not be necessary for us to tell them who
my brother is."
Brockford shook his head.
"I am afraid they would not be of the least assistance to us," he
answered. "No, if we are to find him at all, we must do it on our own
initiative. One thing is quite certain: he would not be likely to remain
in the city any longer than he could help. There would always be the
risk of your discovering his whereabouts. Now, the question we have to
decide for ourselves is, where would he and where could he, go at such
short notice? To decide that, we must find out whether he possessed
sufficient money to take him very far. The manager of his bank and I are
on excellent terms, and I feel sure, if we call upon him, he will give
us all the information in his power."
"Let us call on him by all means," I answered; "and with as little delay
as possible."
We accordingly set off once more, and, in due course, reached the bank.
Passing to the private door, Brockford inquired whether the manager was
at home, and, if so, whether he would see us. The servant replied that
he had just returned, and we were forthwith conducted to his presence.
Having apologised for the intrusion, Brockford explained the reason of
our visit. Max and the manager had always been great friends, and, in
consequence, the latter was only too glad to do all that lay in his
power to help us in our search. Begging us to be seated for a few
moments, he retired into the business portion of the house, to presently
return with the information that Max had not visited the bank that day.
"I happen to be aware that he had only a small sum in his pocket this
morning," said Brockford. "I asked him for some change, and he could not
give it to me. If he has not called here, or drawn a cheque on you and
cashed it elsewhere, which he wouldn't be very likely to do, that
settles the question of the money. Our next course is to find out what
vessels have left the port, or are leaving, this afternoon."
After thanking the manager for his courtesy, we left the bank and once
more returned to the harbour. After diligent inquiry there, we
discovered that only two vessels had left the port that afternoon. One
was bound to Bahia and the north; the other for Buenos Ayres and the
south. The first was only a small trading boat; the other a tramp
steamer of three thousand five hundred tons. The first, after inquiry,
we dismissed from consideration. To the agents of the second we repaired
in hot haste. It was just possible we had the key to the mystery in our
hands.
"No," said the clerk, who waited upon us, in response to our inquiries,
"I am quite sure no fresh hand was taken on board in Rio, and I am
equally certain that she carried no passengers."
So minute and searching were our inquiries that it was well-nigh
midnight before we had finished them. As on the previous occasions, Max
had disappeared without, apparently, leaving a clue of any sort behind,
to tell us of his whereabouts.
Next morning we were early at work again. By mid-day we had visited all
the principal hotels, and many of less repute, had made inquiries at the
various labour offices, at the railway stations, had interrogated the
police and harbour officials, but still without success.
All that afternoon we continued our inquiries, on the day following
also, and so on, day after day, for upwards of a month. In Mr.
Brockford's company I scoured the country in railway trains, on
horseback, and on foot. But always with the same result.
Feeling certain at last that he must have left Brazil, I bade Brockford
and Montezma, both of whom were most assiduous in the help they rendered
me, good-bye, and proceeded to Buenos Ayres. I could hear nothing of
him, however, in the Argentine Republic. Thence, almost heartbroken, I
caught the mail steamer and returned to England, once more to confess
myself a failure.