e
if he tries for a hundred years. Tell him to return to England, to marry
the woman of his heart, and henceforth to treat me as if I were dead."

"Would it be of any use our putting our case in the hands of the
police?" I inquired. "It would not be necessary for us to tell them who
my brother is."

Brockford shook his head.

"I am afraid they would not be of the least assistance to us," he
answered. "No, if we are to find him at all, we must do it on our own
initiative. One thing is quite certain: he would not be likely to remain
in the city any longer than he could help. There would always be the
risk of your discovering his whereabouts. Now, the question we have to
decide for ourselves is, where would he and where could he, go at such
short notice? To decide that, we must find out whether he possessed
sufficient money to take him very far. The manager of his bank and I are
on excellent terms, and I feel sure, if we call upon him, he will give
us all the information in his power."

"Let us call on him by all means," I answered; "and with as little delay
as possible."

We accordingly set off once more, and, in due course, reached the bank.
Passing to the private door, Brockford inquired whether the manager was
at home, and, if so, whether he would see us. The servant replied that
he had just returned, and we were forthwith conducted to his presence.

Having apologised for the intrusion, Brockford explained the reason of
our visit. Max and the manager had always been great friends, and, in
consequence, the latter was only too glad to do all that lay in his
power to help us in our search. Begging us to be seated for a few
moments, he retired into the business portion of the house, to presently
return with the information that Max had not visited the bank that day.

"I happen to be aware that he had only a small sum in his pocket this
morning," said Brockford. "I asked him for some change, and he could not
give it to me. If he has not called here, or drawn a cheque on you and
cashed it elsewhere, which he wouldn't be very likely to do, that
settles the question of the money. Our next course is to find out what
vessels have left the port, or are leaving, this afternoon."

After thanking the manager for his courtesy, we left the bank and once
more returned to the harbour. After diligent inquiry there, we
discovered that only two vessels had left the port that afternoon. One
was bound to Bahia and the north; the oth