return to it, I dare
not think. A circumstance, so unexpected that I can scarcely
realise it yet, renders it imperative that I should seek a
hiding-place elsewhere and without a moment's delay. I can only ask
you to believe, if you do not know it already, that the secret
which forces me to take this step is not one of which I need be in
any way ashamed. Were it so I should never have been your friend.
That I should have treated you like this, after all you have done
for me, cuts me to the heart. Forgive me, if you can, and believe
that while I live, I shall remain,

"Yours in all gratitude and respect,

"MAXIMILIAN MORTIMER."

When he had finished reading a long silence fell upon us all.

CHAPTER XIII.

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 m