l drink at the sideboard.

"Yes, Carisbrooke," the other replied, turning round. "When I was a boy
I lived in the Isle of Wight, not a mile from the ruins. Do you know the
place?"

"We drove over there one day when I was last at Osborne," said Max,
without thinking. "It was one of the jolliest excursions I can
remember."

Brockford looked at him sharply. The description of man who talked of
staying at Osborne with all the assurance of an old friend did not often
come within the sphere of his existence. For the second time he wondered
what Max's history could be.

That evening's entertainment was destined to linger in Max's memory for
many a long day to come. In his diary I find a note setting forth the
fact that he looks upon his acquaintance with Mr. Brockford in the light
of one of, if not the best, pieces of good fortune he met with during
his life in Brazil. He might well say that. Next morning he returned
with his host to the city to enter upon his new employment. The day's
work at an end, he was able to call upon his benefactor, in order to
inform him that it had not proved so difficult as he imagined it would,
and that he felt quite capable of carrying out the work expected of him.
By the end of the week he had settled down to his business life, and was
feeling moderately comfortable and happy in his new surroundings. A
surprise, however, was in store for him.

One afternoon, a month or so after he had entered Montezma's office, a
note was brought to him by a diminutive nigger. It emanated from Mr.
Brockford, who was anxious that Max should pay him a call on his
homeward journey that afternoon, if he could do so without inconvenience
to himself. Max sent a reply by the messenger, to the effect that it
would give him great pleasure to do as his friend asked; and in due
course he arrived at Messrs. Brockford, Brent, & Kerton's place of
business. The day's work was over and the clerks were preparing for
departure. The senior partner, however, was still in his sanctum.

"I'm glad you've come, Mortimer," he said, as they shook hands, "for I
want to have a little talk with you? Sit down, will you? You'll find a
cigar in that box."

Max seated himself, lit a cigar, and wondered what was coming next.

"By the way, you're still staying at Candido's, are you not?" the other
inquired, in what was intended to be a matter-of-fact tone.

Max replied that he was still occupying his old room, and went on to add
that h