e, I
drove on to Montezma's office, quite unconscious that I had warned him,
and for all the good I could do now I might just as well be back in
England. At last I reached the office. In response to my inquiries I was
informed that Senor Mortimer was out at the moment, but that doubtless
it would not be very long before he would return. While I was making my
inquiries Montezma himself emerged from his private office.

"Do I understand that you are inquiring for Senor Mortimer?" he asked,
rubbing his hands together as he spoke, and bowing like an automaton.
"In that case, if you will honour me by stepping into my office, and
taking a seat till he returns, you will place me under an obligation.
Senor Mortimer's friends are mine."

With that he bowed once more, and spread his hands apart, presenting
such a comical appearance that I could scarcely repress a smile. I
accepted his invitation in the spirit in which it was offered, and when
I had seated myself, lit the cigar he pressed upon me. Senor Montezma, I
discovered, was a small, podgy man, with a round bullet head, and a most
happy and humorous cast of countenance. He had evidently settled it in
his own mind that I was a new arrival in Rio, and I could also see that,
for the same reason, his curiosity was excited as to what my
relationship with Mr. Mortimer could be.

"I'm afraid I'm inconveniencing you, Senor," I said, observing that he
did not proceed with his work. "Perhaps my brother may be absent for
some time. In that case it will be better for me to call later on."

"Your brother?" he cried, springing to his feet and running towards me.
"Senor, why did you not say before that you were Senor Mortimer's
brother? You overwhelm me! I wish you ten thousand welcomes to our city.
No, no, you must not move; I could not let you stir. All I have is at
your disposal."

He shook me effusively by the hand, while his face beamed all over.

"Your brother will be pleased beyond measure to see you," he went on,
still in the same impulsive fashion. "That he knows nothing of your
arrival, I pledge you my honour. It will come upon him as a surprise. He
will be overcome with delight. He will be the happiest man in Brazil!"

I was not quite so sure of this. Nevertheless, I wished Max would
return, in order that we might get the meeting over. However, time
slipped by, and he did not put in an appearance. When our patience was
well-nigh exhausted, a clerk was despatched to the of