fice at which it
was known that he had intended calling. Ten minutes later the lad
returned with the information that Max had visited the office and had
left it nearly an hour before. Once more we sat down, and possessed our
souls in such patience as we could command. Still the time went by and
there was no sign of Max.

"It is really very strange," said Montezma at last. "I cannot understand
it at all. As a rule he is punctuality itself. It is just possible he
might have gone round to see his friend Brockford, with whom he lives.
If, Senor, you will honour me by accompanying me, I will conduct you
there."

Needless to say I accepted his offer only too willingly, and we
accordingly set off together. At any other time I should have enjoyed
the bustle and variety of the streets, but this afternoon I was too
nervous, too full of anxiety concerning Max, to have much attention to
spare for anything else. When we reached Mr. Brockford's office, we went
in, to find the gentleman himself at home.

"No," he said, in answer to our inquiries, "I have not seen him since
this morning. Unless he has business to transact with me, he seldom
calls here until it is time for us to return to Paqueta. I trust nothing
serious is the matter?"

As he asked the question he looked at me with searching eyes.

"This gentleman is Senor Mortimer's brother," Montezma observed with
great importance. "He has arrived from England this afternoon."

"His brother?" cried Brockford, with what was plainly an expression of
alarm upon his face. "You don't mean to say that you are Prince Paul?"

"I _am_ Prince Paul," I answered. "How do you come to be aware that my
brother is the Crown Prince?"

"It is sufficient that I _am_ aware of it," he replied gravely, "I have
known it for some time."

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried Montezma in alarm, "what does this mean?
What is this I hear about Crown Princes?"

"It means, Senor Montezma," I answered earnestly, "that your clerk is no
less a person than the missing Crown Prince of Pannonia, whose absence
has caused such unending sorrow to his family. It is to persuade him to
return to his friends that I am now in Rio."

The news seemed to stagger the old man. He could not take it in.

"A Crown Prince! a Crown Prince," he repeated, as if he were trying to
convince himself of the truth of my announcement.

"If you will forgive me for saying so, I am afraid your brother will not
be best pleased to see you,"