d have decided in favour of England, and
have rejected Germany and Pannonia, both of whom were of nearer kin to
him than the Island of the West, I can only hazard a guess. The fact
remains, however, that he did so. When he had selected one that looked
promising he entered, and inquired if he might see the merchant.
Unfortunately, the clerk informed him, he was not in town that day. He
left, and tried another further down the street. This one had already
more clerks than was sufficient for his purpose, and could not dream of
engaging another. The next was courteous, but equally firm in his
refusal. A hundred yards or so further on he discovered a German firm,
and, thinking a change of nationality might influence his luck, went in
and asked his usual question. Yes; it was quite true that they stood in
need of a clerk, but what experience and what references had he to
offer? He informed his interrogator that he had none. He had only to add
that he had spent the last five years of his life in the English army to
have his services declined with thanks, and to find himself in the
street once more. His next attempt was with a Portuguese Jew, who
offered him employment at a wage that would have meant little else than
genteel beggary for him. This post he declined of his own free will.
"Things are beginning to look cheerful, I must say," he remarked to
himself when he was in the street once more. "If I'm not more successful
than this I shall have to fall back on Moreas after all." At last, and
just when he was beginning to think that he would give up trying for
that day, he found himself face to face with an office, on the window of
which, written in gold letters, was "Brockford, Brent, & Kerton, English
Merchants and Importers." He determined to go inside once more and try
his luck. He accordingly entered the office, and, as usual, inquired for
the head of the firm. A clerk, who was entering some figures in a large
ledger, looked up and informed him that Mr. Brockford was engaged for a
moment, and, having done so, inquired his business.

"To see Mr. Brockford," Max replied curtly. "If you don't think he will
be long, I'll wait a few moments."

Five minutes or so later a man emerged from the inner office, and Max
was conducted to Mr. Brockford's presence. The latter was a tall, thin
man, with a somewhat hatchet-shaped face, clean-shaven cheeks, grey
hair, and shaggy eyebrows. According to Brazilian custom, he was in his
shirt-s