第2章
"Well，letusgoinandseeifSidneyarriveswiththecase。"
Theypassedoutofthegardenandsaunteredroundtothefrontofthehouse。There，standingintheroadway，theybeheldaponderouslorrywitharough-lookingdriverstandingatthehorses’heads。Thefrontdoorofthehousewasopen，sothemummycasehad。apparentlyarrivedbeforeitstime，andhadbeentakentoBraddock’smuseumwhiletheywerechattinginthekitchengarden。
"DidMr。Boltoncomewiththecase？"askedLucy，leaningovertherailingsandaddressingthedriver。
"Noonecame，miss，exceptmyselfandmytwomates，whohavetakenthecaseindoor。"Thedriverjerkedacoarsethumboverhisshoulder。
"WasMr。Boltonatthehotel，wherethecaseremainedforthenight？"
"No，miss-thatis，IdunnowhoMr。Boltonis。ThelandlordoftheSailor’sResttoldmeandmymatestotakethecasetothisherehouse，andwedoneit。That’sallIknow，miss。"
"Strange，"murmuredLucy，walkingtothefrontdoor。"Whatdoyouthink，Archie？Isn’titstrange？"
Hopenodded。"ButIdaresayBoltonwillexplainhisabsence，"
saidhe，followingher。"HewillarriveintimetoopenthemummycasealongwiththeProfessor。"
"Ihopeso，"saidMissKendal，wholookedmuchperplexed。"I
can’tunderstandSidneyabandoningthecase，whenitmightsoeasilyhavebeenstolen。Comeinandseemyfather，Archie，"andshepassedintothehouse，followedbytheyoungman，whosecuriositywasnowaroused。Astheyenteredthedoor，thetwomenwhohadtakeninthecaseblunderedoutandshortlydroveawayonthelorrytowardsJessumrailwaystation。
InthemuseumtheyfoundBraddockpurplewithrageandswearingvigorously。Hewasstaringatalargepackingcase，whichhadbeensetuponendagainstthewall，whilebesidehimcrouchedCockatoo，holdingchiselsandhammersandwedgesnecessarytoopenthetreasuretrove。
"Sothepreciousmummyhasarrived，father，"saidLucy，whosawthattheProfessorwasfurious。"Areyounotpleased？"
"Pleased！pleased！"shoutedtheangrymanofscience。"HowcanIbepleasedwhenIseehowbadlythecasehasbeentreated？Seehowithasbeenbruisedandbatteredandshaken！I’llhaveanactionagainstCaptainHerveyofTheDiverifmymummyhasbeeninjured。Sidneyshouldhavetakenbettercareofsopreciousanobject。"
"Whatdoeshesay？"askedArchie，glancingroundthemuseumtoseeifthedelinquenthadarrived。
"Say！"shoutedBraddockagain，andsnatchingachiselfromCockatoo。"Oh，whatcanhesaywhenheisnothere？"
"Nothere？"saidLucy，moreandmoresurprisedattheunaccountableabsenceofBraddock’sassistant。"Whereishe，then？"
"Idon’tknow。IwishIdid；I’dhavehimarrestedforneglectingtowatchoverthiscase。Asitis，whenhecomesbackI’lldismisshimfrommyemployment。Hecangobacktohisinfernallaundryworkalongwithhisoldwitchofamother。"
"Butwhyhasn’tBoltoncomeback，sir？"askedHopesharply。
Braddockstruckafuriousblowattheheadofthechiselwhichhehadinsertedintothecase。
"Iwanttoknowthat。HebroughtthecasetotheSailor’sRest，andshouldhavecomeonwithitthismorning。Insteadofdoingso，hetellsthelandlord-amostunreliableman-tosenditon。Andmypreciousmummy-themummythathascostninehundredpounds，"criedBraddock，workingfuriously，andbatteringthechiselasthoughitwereBolton’sheadislefttobestolenbyanyscientificthiefthatcomesalong。"WhiletheProfessor，assistedbyCockatoo，loosenedthelidofthepackingcase，amildvoicewasheardatthedoor。Lucyturned，asdidArchie，toseeWidowAnnecurtseyingonthethresholdofthedoor。
Braddockhimselftooknonoticeofherentrance，beingoccupiedwithhistask，andevenwhiledoingitsworescientificallyunderhisbreath。HewasfuriousagainstBoltonforneglectofduty，andHoperathersympathizedwithhim。Itwasaseriousmattertohaveleftavaluableobjectlikethegreenmummytotheroughcareoflaborers。
"Ibegyourpardon，mylady，"whimperedWidowAnne，wholookedmoreleanandrustyanddismalthanever；"buthasmySidcome？
Isawthecartandthecoffin。Where’smyboy？"
"Coffin！coffin！"bellowedBraddockangrilybetweenthunderblows。"Whatdoyoumeanbycallingthiscaseacoffin？"
"Well，itdoholdoneofthemcamphoratedcorps，sir，"saidMrs。
Boltonwithanothercurtsey。"MyboySidtoldmeasmuch，aforehewenttothemfurrenparts。"
"Haveyouseenhimsincehereturned？"questionedLucy，whileBraddockandCockatoostrainedatthelid，nownearlyoff。
"Why，Iain’tseteyesonhim，"moanedthewidowdismally，"andsummattellsmeasIneverwill。"
"Don’ttalkrubbish，woman，"saidArchietartly，forhedidnotwishLucytobeupsetagainbythisancientghoul。
"Womanindeed，sir。I’dhaveyouknow，-oh！"thewidowjumpedandquaveredasthelidofthepackingcasefellonthefloorwithabang。"Ohlor，sir，thestartyoudidgiveme！"
ButBraddockhadnoeyesforher，andnoearsforanyone。Hepulledlustilyatthestrawpacking，andsoonthefloorwaslitteredwithrubbish。Butnogreencaseappeared，andnomummy。
SuddenlyWidowAnneshriekedagain"There’smySid-dead-oh，myson，dead！dead！"
Shespoketruly。ThebodyofSidneyBoltonwasbeforethem。
CHAPTERV
MYSTERY
AfterthatonecryofagonyfromWidowAnne，therewassilenceforquiteoneminute。Theterriblecontentsofthepackingcasestartledandterrifiedallpresent。Faintandwhite，Lucyclungtothearmofherlovertokeepherselffromsinkingtotheground，asMrs。Boltonhaddone。Archiestaredatthegrotesquerigidityofthebody，asthoughhehadbeenchangedintostone，whileProfessorBraddockstaredlikewise，scarcelyabletocredittheevidenceofhiseyes。OnlytheKanakawasunmovedandsquattedonhishams，indifferentlysurveyingthelivingandthedead。Asasavagehecouldnotbeexpectedtohavethenervesofcivilizedman。
Braddock，whohaddroppedchiselandhammerinthefirstmovementofsurprise，wasthequickesttorecoverhispowersofspeech。
Thesolequestionheasked，revealedthemarvelousegotismofascientist，nominatedbyoneidea。"WhereisthemummyofIncaCaxas？"hemurmuredwithabewilderedair。
WidowAnne，grovelingonthefloor，pulledhergraylocksintowildconfusion，andutteredacryofmingledrageandgrief。"Heasksthat？heasksthat？"shecried，stammeringandchoking，"whenhehasmurderedmypoorboySid。"
"What’s，that？"demandedBraddocksharply，andrecoveringfromaveritablestupor，whichthedisappearanceofthemummyandthesightofhisdeadassistanthadthrownhiminto。"Killyourson:
howcouldIkillyourson？WhatadvantagewouldithavebeentomehadIkilledyourson？"
"Godknows！Godknows！"sobbedtheoldwoman，"butyou-"
"Mrs。Bolton，youareraving，"saidHopehastily，andstrovetoraiseherfromthefloor。"LetMissKendaltakeyouaway。Andyougo，Lucy:thissightistooterribleforyoureyes。"
Lucy，inarticulatewithnervousfear，noddedandtotteredtowardsthedoorofthemuseum；butWidowAnnerefusedtobeliftedtoherfeet。
"Myboyisdead，"shewailed；"myboySidisacorpasIsawhiminmydream。Inthecoffin，too，cuttopieces-"
"Rubbish！rubbish！"interruptedBraddock，peeringintothedepthsofthepackingcase。"Icanseenowound。"
Mrs。Boltonleapedtoherfeetwithanagilitysurprisinginsoagedawoman。"Letmefindthewound，"shescreamed，throwingherselfforward。
Hopecaughtherbackandforcedhertowards，thedoor。"No！"Thebodymustnotbedisturbeduntilthepoliceseeit，"hesaidfirmly。
"Thepolice-ah，yes，thepolice，"remarkedBraddockquickly，"wemustsendforthepolicetoPiersideandtellthemmymummyhasbeenstolen。"
"Thatmyboyhasbeenmurdered，"screechedWidowAnne，wavingherskinnyarms，andstrivingtobreak’fromArchie。"YouwickedolddeviltokillmydarlingSid。Ifhehadn’tgonetothemfurrenpartshewouldn’tbeacorpnow。ButI’llhavethelawr:you’llbehanged，you-you-"
BraddocklosthispatienceunderthistorrentofunjustaccusationsandrushedtowardsMrs。Bolton，draggingCockatoobythearm。Inlesstimethanittakestotell，hehadsweptbothArchieandthewidowoutintothehall，whereLucywastrembling，andCockatoo，byhismaster’sorder，waslockingthedoor。
"Notathingshallbetoucheduntilthepolicecome。Hope，youare，awitnessthatIhavenotmeddledwiththedead:youwerepresentwhenIopenedthepackingcase:youhaveseenthatauselessbodyhasbeensubstitutedforavaluablemummy。Andyetthisoldwitchdares-dares-"Braddockstampedandgrewincoherentfromsheerrage。
Archiesoothedhim，leavinggoofWidowAnne’sarmtodoso。
"Hush！hush！"saidtheyoungmanquietly，"thepoorwomandoesnotknowwhatsheissaying。I’llgoforthepoliceand-"
"No，"interruptedtheProfessorsharply；"CockatoocangofortheinspectorofPierside。Ishallcallinthevillageconstable。
Meanwhileyoukeepthekeyofthemuseum，"hedroppeditintoHope’sbreast-pocket，"sothatyouandthepolicemaybesurethebodyhasnotbeentouched。WidowAnne，gohome，"heturnedangrilyontheoldcreature，whowasnowtremblingafterherburstofrage，"anddon’tdaretocomehereagainuntilyouaskpardonforwhatyouhavesaid。"
"Iwanttobenearmypoorboy’scorp，"wailedWidowAnne，"andI’mverysorry，Perfesser。Ididn’tmeanto-"
"Butyouhave，youwitch。Goaway！"andhestamped。
ButbythistimeLucyhadrecoveredherself-possession，whichhadbeensorelyshakenbythesightofthedead。"Leavehertome，"sheobserved，takingMrs。Bolton’sarm，andleadinghertowardsthestairs。"Ishalltakehertomyroomandgivehersomebrandy。Father，youmustmakesomeallowanceforhernaturalgrief，and-"
Braddockstampedagain。"Takeheraway！takeheraway！"hecriedtestily，"andkeepheroutofmysight。Isitnotenoughtohavelostaninvaluableassistant，andacostlymummyofinfinitehistoricalandarchaeologicalvalue，withoutmybeingaccusedof-of-oh！"TheProfessorchokedwithrageandshookhishandintheair。
Seeingthathewasunabletospeak，Lucyseizedtheopportunityofthelullinthestorm，andhurriedtheoldwoman，sobbingandmoaning，upthestairs。BythistimetheshrieksofMrs。Bolton，andthewordywrathofBraddock，haddrawnthecookandherhusband，alongwiththehousemaid，fromthebasementtothegroundfloor。Thesightoftheirsurprisedfacesonlyaddedtotheirmaster’sanger，andheadvancedfuriously。
"Godownstairsagain:godown，Itellyou！"
"Butifthere’sanythingwrong，sir，"venturedthegardenertimidly。
"Everythingiswrong。Mymummyhasbeenlost:Mr。Boltonhasbeenmurdered。Thepolicearecoming，and-and-"Hechokedagain。
Buttheservantswaitedtohearnomore。Themerementionofthewords"murder"and"police"sentthem，pale-facedandstartled，downtothebasement，wheretheyhuddledlikeaflockofsheep。
BraddocklookedaroundforHope，butfoundthathehadopenedthefrontdoor，andhadvanished。ButhewastoodistractedtothinkwhyArchiehadgone，andtherewasmuchtodoinputtingthingsstraight。BeckoningtoCockatoo，hestalkedintoasideroom，andscribbledapencilnotetotheinspectorofpoliceatPierside，tellinghimofwhathadhappened，andaskinghimtocomeatoncetothePyramidswithhisunderlings。ThiscommunicationhedispatchedbyCockatoo，whoflewtogethisbicycle。InashorttimehewasridingattopspeedtoBrefort，whichwasonthissideoftheriver；facingPierside。Therehecouldferryacrosstothetownanddeliverhisterriblemessage。
Havingdoneallthathecoulduntilthepolicecame，BraddockwalkedoutofthefrontdoorandintotheroadwaytoseeifArchiewasinsight。Hecouldnotseetheyoungman，but，asluckwouldhaveit，andbyoneofthosecoincidenceswhicharemuchmorecommonthanissuspected，hesawtheGartleydoctorwalkingbrisklypast。
"Hi！"shoutedtheProfessor，whowaspurpleinthefaceandperspiringprofusely。"Hi，there，Dr。Robinson！Iwantyou。
Come！come！hurry，man，hurry！"heendedinatestyrage，andthedoctor，knowingBraddock’seccentricities，advancedwithasmile。
Hewasaslim，dark，youngmedicalpractitionerwithanamiablecountenance，whicharguedofnomightyintelligence。
"Well，Professor，"heremarkedquietly，"doyouwantmetoattendyouforapoplexy？Takeyourtime，mydearsir-takeyourtime。"
Hepattedthescientistontheshouldertosoothehisclamorousrage。"Youarealreadypurpleintheface。Don’tletyourbloodrushtoyourhead。"
"Robinson，you’rea-a-afool！"shoutedBraddock，glaringatthesuavelooksofthedoctor。"Iaminperfecthealth，damnyou，sir。"
"ThenMissKendal-？"
"Sheisquitewellalso。ButBolton-？"
"Oh！"Robinsonlookedinterested。"Hashereturnedwithyourmummy？"
"Mummy，"bellowedBraddock，stampinglikeaninsaneCupid-"themummyhasn’tarrived。"
"Really，Professor，yousurpriseme，"saidthedoctormildly。
"I’llsurpriseyoumore，"growledBraddock，draggingRobinsonintothegardenandupthesteps。
"Gently！gently！mydearsir，"saidthedoctor，whoreallybegantothinkthatmuchlearninghadmadetheProfessormad。"Didn’tBolton-？"
"Boltonisdead，youfool。"
"Dead！"Thedoctornearlytumbledbackwarddownthesteps。
"Murdered。AtleastIthinkheismurdered。Atalleventshearrivedhereto-dayinthepackingcase，whichshouldhavecontainedmygreenmummy。Comeinandexaminethebodyatonce。
No，"Braddockpushedbackthedoctorjustasfiercelyashehaddraggedhimforward，"waituntiltheconstablecomes。Iwanthimtoseethebodyfirst，andtoobservethatnothinghasbeentouched。IhavesentforthePiersideinspectortocome。Therewillbeallsortsoftrouble，"criedBraddockdespairingly，"andmywork-mostimportantwork-willbedelayed，justbecausethissillyyoungassSidneyBoltonchosetobemurdered，"andtheProfessorstormedupanddownthehall，shakingimpotentarmsintheair。
"Goodheavens！"stammeredRobinson，whowasyounginyearsandsomewhatnewtohisprofession，"you-youmustbemistaken。"
"Mistaken！mistaken！"shoutedBraddockwithanotherglare。"Comeandseethatpoorfellow’sbodythen。Heisdead，murdered。"
"Bywhom？"
"Hangyou，sir，howshouldIknow？"
"Inwhatwayhashebeenmurdered？Stabbed，shot，or-"
"Idon’tknow-Idon’tknow！SuchanuisancetoloseamanlikeBolton-aninvaluableassistant。WhatIshalldowithouthimI
reallydon’tknow。Andhismotherhasbeenhere，makingnoendofafuss。"
"Canyoublameher？"saidthedoctor，recoveringhisbreath。
"Sheishismother，afterall，andpoorBoltonwasheronlyson。"
"Iamnotdenyingtherelationship，confoundyou！"snappedtheProfessor，rufflinghishairuntilitstooduplikethecrestofaparrot。"Butsheneedn’t-ah！"Heglancedthroughtheopendoor，andthenrushedtothethreshold。"HereisHopeandPainter。Comein-comein。Ihavethedoctorhere。Hope，youhavethekey。Youobserve，constable，thatMr。Hopehasthekey。
Openthedoor:openthedoor，andletusseethemeaningofthisdreadfulcrime。"
"Crime，sir？"queriedtheconstable，whohadheardallthatwasknownfromHope，butnowwishedtohearwhatBraddockhadtosay。
"Yes，crime:crime，youidiot！Ihavelostmymummy。"
"ButIthought，sir，thatamurder-"
"Oh，ofcourse-ofcourse，"gabbledtheProfessor，asifthedeathwasquiteaminorconsideration。"Bolton’sdead-
murdered，Isuppose，ashecouldscarcelyhavenailedhimselfdowninapackingcase。Butit’smypreciousmummyIamthinkingof，Painter。Amummy-ifyouknowwhatamummyis-thatcostmeninehundredpounds。Goin，man。Goinanddon’tstandtheregaping。Don’tyouseethatMr。Hopehasopenedthedoor。IhavesentCockatootoPiersidetonotifythepolice。Theywillsoonbehere。Meanwhile，doctor，youcanexaminethebody，andPainterherecangivehisopinionastowhostolemymummy。"
"Theassassinstolethemummy，"saidArchie，asthefourmenenteredthemuseum，"andsubstitutedthebodyofthemurderedman。"
"ThatisallABC，"snappedBraddock，issuingintothevastroom，"butwewanttoknowthenameoftheassassin，ifwearetorevengeBoltonandgetbackmymummy。Oh，whataloss！-whataloss！Ihavelostninehundredpounds，orsayonethousand，consideringthecostofbringingIncaCaxastoEngland。"
ArchieforeboretoremindtheProfessorastowhohadreallylostthemoney，asthescientistwasnotinafitstatetobetalkedtoreasonably，andseemedmuchmoreconcernedbecausehisPeruvianrelicofhumanityhadbeenlostthanfortheterribledeathofSidneyBolton。ButbythistimePainter-afair-hairedyoungconstableofsmallintelligence-wasexaminingthepackingcaseandsurveyingthedead。Dr。Robinsonalsolookedwithaprofessionaleye，andBraddock，wipinghispurplefaceandgaspingwithexhaustion，satdownonastonesarcophagus。
Archie，foldinghisarms，leanedagainstthewallandwaitedquietlytohearwhattheexpertsincrimeandmedicinewouldsay。
Thepackingcasewasdeepandwideandlong，madeoftoughteakandbandedatintervalswithironbands。Withinthiswasacaseoftin，which，whenitheldthemummy，hadbeensolderedup；
impervioustoairandwater。Buttheunknownpersonwhohadextractedthemummy，toreplaceitbyamurderedman’sbody，hadcutopenthetincasingwithsomesharpinstrument。Therewasstrawroundthetincasingandstrawwithin，amongstwhichthebodyoftheunfortunateyoungmanwasplaced。Rigormortishadsetin，andthecorpse，withstraightlegsandhandsplacedstifflybyitsside，layagainstthebackofthetincasingsurroundedmoreorlessbythestrawpacking，oratleastbysomuchastheProfessorhadnottornaway。Thefacelookeddark，andtheeyeswerewideopenandstaring。Robinsonsteppedforwardandranhishandroundtheneck。Utteringanejaculation，heremovedthewoollenscarfwhichthedeadmanhadprobablyworntokeephimselffromcatchingcold，andthosewholookedonsawthatared-coloredwindowcordwastightlyboundaboutthethroatofthedead。
"Thepoordevilhasbeenstrangled，"saidthedoctorquietly。
"See:theassassinhasleftthebow-stringon，andhadthecouragetoplaceoveritthisscarf，whichbelongedtoBolton。"
"Howdoyouknowthat，sir？"askedPainterheavily。
"BecauseWidowAnneknittedthatscarfforBoltonbeforehewenttoMalta。Heshowedittome，laughingly，remarkingthathismotherevidentlythoughtthathewasgoingtoLapland。"
"Whendidheshowittoyou，sir？"
"BeforehewenttoMalta，ofcourse，"saidRobinsoninmildsurprise。"Youdon’tsupposeheshowedittomewhenhereturned。WhendidhereturntoEngland？"heaskedtheProfessor，withanafterthought。
"Yesterdayafternoon，aboutfouro’clock，"repliedBraddock。
"Then，fromtheconditionofthebody"-thedoctorfeltthedeadflesh-"hemusthavebeenmurderedlastnight。H’m！Withyourpermission，Painter，I’llexaminethecorpse。"
Theconstableshookhishead。"Betterwait，sir，untiltheinspectorcomes，"hesaidinhisunintelligentway。"PoorSid！
Why，Iknewhim。Hewasatschoolwithme，andnowhe’sdead。
Whokilledhim？"
Noneofhislistenerscouldanswerthisquestion。
CHAPTERVI
THEINQUEST
LikeageographicalLordByron，theisolatedvillageofGartleyawokeonemorningtofinditselffamous。Previouslyunknown，savetotheinhabitantsofBrefort，Jessum，andthesurroundingcountry，andtothesoldiersstationedintheFort，itbecameaninedays’centreofinterest。InspectorDateofPiersidearrivedwithhisconstablestoinquireintothereportedcrime，andthelocaljournalists，scentingsensation，cameflyingtoGartleyonbicyclesandintraps。NextmorningLondonwasdulyadvisedthatavaluablemummywasmissing，andthattheassistantofProfessorBraddock，whohadbeensenttofetchitfromMalta，wasmurderedbystrangulation。Inacoupleofdaysthethreekingdomswereringingwiththenewsofthemystery。
Andamysteryitproved，tobe，for，inspiteofInspectorDate’seffortsandtheenterpriseofScotlandYarddetectivessummonedbytheProfessor，nocluecouldbefoundtotheidentityoftheassassin。Briefly，thestorytoldbythenewspapersranasfollows:
ThetrampsteamerDiver-CaptainGeorgeHerveyincommand-hadberthedalongsidethePiersidejettyatfouro’clockonaWednesdayafternooninmid-September，andsometwohourslaterSidneyBoltonremovedthecase，containingthegreenmummy，ashore。
AsitwasimpossibletocarrythecasetothePyramidsonthatnight，BoltonhadplaceditinhisbedroomattheSailor’sRest，ameanlittlepublic-houseofnoverysavoryreputationnearthewater’sedge。Hewaslastseenalivebythelandlordandthebarmaid，when，afteradrinkofharmlessginger-beer，heretiredtobedateight，leavinginstructionstothelandlord-overheardbythebarmaid-thatthecasewastobesentonnextdaytoProfessorBraddockofGartley。Boltonhintedthathemightleavethehotelearlyandwouldprobablyprecedethecasetoitsdestination，soastoadviseProfessorBraddock-necessarilyanxious-ofitssafearrival。Beforeretiringhepaidhisbill，anddepositedinthelandlord’shandasmallsumofmoney，sothatthecasemightbesentacrossstreamtoBrefort，thencetobetakeninalorrytothePyramids。Therewasnosign，saidthebarmaidandthelandlord，thatBoltoncontemplatedsuicide，orthathefearedsuddendeath。Hiswholedemeanorwascheerful，andheexpressedhimselfexceedinglygladtobeinEnglandoncemore。
Atelevenontheensuingmorning，apersistentknockingandasubsequentopeningofthedoorofBolton’sbedroomprovedthathewasnotintheroom，althoughthetumbledconditionofthebed-clothesprovedthathehadtakensomerest。NooneinthehotelthoughtanythingofBolton’sabsence，sincehehadhintedatanearlydeparture，althoughthechamber-maidconsidereditstrangethatnoonehadseenhimleavethehotel。ThelandlordobeyedBolton’sinstructionsandsentthecase，inchargeofatrustworthyman，toBrefortacrosstheriver。Therealorrywasprocured，andthecasewastakentoGartley，whereitarrivedatthreeintheafternoon，。ItwasthenthatProfessorBraddock，inopeningthecase，discoveredthebodyofhisill-fatedassistant，rigidindeath，andwitharedwindowcordtightlyboundroundthethroatofthecorpse。Atonce，saidthenewspapers，theProfessorsentforthepolice，andlaterinsistedthatthesmartestScotlandYarddetectivesshouldcomedowntoelucidatethemystery。Atpresentbothpoliceanddetectiveswereengagedinsearchingforaneedleinahaystack，andsofarhadmetwithnosuccess。
SuchwasthetalesetforthinthelocalandLondonandprovincialjournals。Widelyasitwasdiscussed，andmanyaswerethetheoriesoffered，noonecouldfathomthemystery。Butallagreedthatthefailureofthepolicetofindacluewasinexplicable。ItwasdifficultenoughtounderstandhowtheassassincouldhavemurderedBoltonandopenedthepackingcase，andremovedthemummytoreplaceitbythebodyofhisvictiminahousefilledwithatleasthalfadozenpeople；butitwasyetmoredifficulttoguesshowthecriminalhadescapedwithsonoticeableanobjectasthemummy，bandagedwithemerald-huedwoollenstuffwovenfromthehairofPeruvianllamas。Iftheculpritwasonewhothievedandmurderedforgain，hecouldscarcelysellthemummywithoutbeingarrested，sinceallEnglandwasringingwiththenewsofitsdisappearance；ifascientist，impelledtorobberybyanarchaeologicalmania，hecouldnotpossiblykeeppossessionofthemummywithoutsomeonelearningthathepossessedit。Meanwhilethethiefandhisplunderhadvanishedascompletelyasiftheearthhadswallowedboth。Greatwasthewonderattheclevernessofthecriminal，andmanywerethesolutionsofferedtoaccountforthedisappearance。Oneenterprisingweeklypaper，improvingontheLimerickcraze，offeredafurnishedhouseandthreepoundsaweekforlifetothefortunatepersonwhocouldsolvethemystery。Asyetnoonehadwontheprize，butitwasearlydaysyet，andatleastfivethousandamateurdetectivestriedtoworkouttheproblem。
NaturallyHopewassorryfortheuntimelydeathofBolton，whomhehadknownasanamiableandcleveryoungman。ButhewasalsoannoyedthathisloanofthemoneytoBraddockshouldhavebeen，sotospeak，nullifiedbythelossofthemummy。TheProfessorwasperfectlyfuriousathisdoublelossofassistantandembalmedcorpse，andwasonlypreventedfromofferingarewardforthediscoveryofthethiefandassassinbythepainfulfactthathehadnomoney。HehintedtoArchiethatarewardshouldbeoffered，butthatyoungman，backedbyLucy，declinedtothrowawaygoodmoneyafterbad。Braddocktookthisrefusalsoill，thatHopefeltperfectlyconvincedhewouldtryandwriggleoutofhispromisetopermitthemarriageandpersuadeLucytoengageherselftoSirFrankRandom，shouldthebaronetbewillingtoofferareward。AndHopewasalsocertainthatBraddock，asingularlyobstinateman，wouldneverrestuntilheoncemorehadthemummyinhispossession。Thatthemurdererof！SidneyBoltonshouldbehangedwasquiteaminorconsiderationwiththeProfessor。
MeanwhileWidowAnnehadinsistedonthedeadbodybeingtakentohercottage，andBraddock，withtheconsentofInspectorDate，willinglyagreed，ashedidnotwishanewlydeadcorpsetoremainunderhisroof。Therefore，theremainsoftheunfortunateyoungmanweretakentohishumblehome，andherethebodywasinspectedbythejurywhentheinquesttookplaceinthecoffee-roomoftheWarriorInn，immediatelyoppositeMrs。
Bolton’sabode。Therewasalargecrowdroundtheinn，aspeoplehadcomefromfarandwidetoheartheverdictofthejury，andGartley，forthefirstandonlytimeinitsexistence，presentedtheaspectofanAugustBankHoliday。
TheCoroner-anelderlydoctorwithashorttemper；causedbytheunrealizedambitionofacountrypractitioner-openedtheproceedingsbyasnappyspeech，inwhichhesetforththedetailsofthecrimeinthesameboldfashioninwhichtheyhadbeenpublishedbythenewspapers。AplanoftheSailor’sRestwasthenplacedbeforethejury，andtheCoronerdrewtheattentionofthetwelvegoodandlawfulmentothefactthatthebedroomoccupiedbydeceasedwasonthegroundfloor，withawindowlookingoutontotheriver，merelyastone-throwaway。
"Soyouwillsee，gentlemen，"saidtheCoroner，"thatthedifficultyoftheassassininleavingthehotelwithhisplunderwasnotsogreatashasbeenimagined。Hehadmerelytoopenthewindowinthequiethoursofthenight，whennoonewasabout，andpassthemummythroughtohisaccomplice，whoprobablywaitedwithout。Itisalsoprobablethataboatwaswaitingbythebankoftheriver，andthemummyhavingbeenplacedinthis，theassassinandhisfriendcouldrowawayintotheunknownwithouttheslightestchanceofdiscovery。"
InspectorDate-atall，thin，uprightmanwithanironjawandasevereexpression-drewtheCoroner’sattentiontothefactthattherewasnoevidencetoshowthattheassassinhadanaccomplice。
"Whatyouhavestated，sir，mayhaveoccurred，"raspedDateinamilitaryvoice，"butwecannotprovethetruthofyourassumption，sincetheevidenceatourdisposalismerelycircumstantial。"
"Ineversuggestedthatitwasanythingelse，"snappedtheCoroner。"Youwastetimeintraversingmystatements。Saywhatyouhavetosay，Mr。Inspector，andproduceyourwitnesses-ifyouhaveany。"
Therearenowitnesseswhocansweartotheidentityofthemurderer，"saidInspectorDatecoldly，anddeterminednottoberuffledbytheapparentantagonismoftheCoroner。"Thecriminalhasvanished，andnoonecanguesshisnameoroccupation，oreventhereasonwhichledhimtoslaythedeceased。"
Coroner:"Thereasonisplain。Hewantedthemummy。"
Inspector:"Whyshouldhewantthemummy？"
Coroner:"Thatiswhatwewishtofindout。"
Inspector:"Exactly，sir。Wewishtolearnthereasonwhythemurdererstrangledthedeceased。"
Coroner:"Weknowthatreason。Whatwewishtoknowiswhythemurdererstolethemummy。AndIwouldpointouttoyou，Mr。
Inspector，that，asyet，wedonotevenknowthesexoftheassassin。Itmightbeawomanwhomurderedthedeceased。"
ProfessorBraddock，whowasseatednearthedoorofthecoffee-room，beingevenmoreirasciblethanusual，rosetocontradict。
"Thereisn’tascrapofevidencetoshowthatthemurdererwasawoman。"
Coroner:"Youareoutoforder，sir。AndIwouldpointoutthat，asyet，InspectorDatehasproducednowitnesses。"
Dateglared。HeandtheCoronerwereoldenemies，andalwayssparredwhentheymet。Itseemedlikely，thatthepepperylittleProfessorwouldjoininthequarrelandthattherewouldbeaduelofthree；butDate，notwishingforanadversereportinthenewspapersastohisconductofthecase，contentedhimselfwiththeglareaforesaid，and，afterashortspeech，calledBraddock。
TheProfessor，lookingmorelikeacrosscherubthanever，gavehisevidencetartly。ItseemedridiculoustohisprejudicedmindthatallthisfussshouldbemadeoverBolton’sbody，whenthemummy；wasstillmissing。However，asthediscoveryofthecriminalwouldassuredlyleadtotheregainingofthatpreciousPeruvianrelic，hecurbedhiswrathandansweredtheCoroner’squestionsinafairlyamiablefashion。
And，afterall，Braddockhadverylittletotell。Hehad，sohestated，seenanadvertisementinanewspaperthatamummy，swathedingreenbandages，wastobesoldinMalta；andhadsenthisassistanttobuyitandbringithome。Thiswasdone，andwhathappenedafterthemummyleftthetrampsteamerwasknowntoeveryone，throughthemediumofthepress。
"Withwhich，"grumbledtheProfessor，"Idonotagree。"
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"askedtheCoronersharply。
"Imean，sir，"snappedBraddock，equallysharply，"thatthepublicitygivenbythenewspaperstothesedetailswillprobablyplacetheassassinonhisguard。"
"Whynotonherguard？"persistedtheCoronerwilfully。
"Rubbish！rubbish！rubbish！Mymummywasn’tstolenbyawoman。
Whatthedevilwouldawomanwantwithmymummy？"
"Bemorerespectful，Professor。"
"Thentalksense，doctor，"andthetwoglaredatoneanother。
Afteramomentortwothesituationwasadjustedinsilence，andtheCoroneraskedafewquestions，pertinenttothematterinhand。
"Hadthedeceasedanyenemies？"
"No，sir，hehadn’t，notbeingfamousenough，orrichenough，orcleverenoughtoexcitethehatredofmankind。Hewassimplyanintelligentyoungman，whoworkedexcellentlywhensupervisedbyme。Hismotherisawasherwomaninthisvillage，andtheladbroughtwashingtomyhouse。Notingthathewasintelligentandwasanxioustoriseabovehisstation，Iengagedhimasmyassistantandtrainedhimtodomywork。"
"Archaeologicalwork？"
"Yes。Idon’twash，whateverBolton’smothermay，do。Don’tasksillyquestions。"
"Bemorerespectful，"saidtheCoroneragain，andgrewred。
"Haveyouanyideaastothenameofanyonewhodesiredtoobtainpossessionofthismummy？"
"IdaresaydozensofscientistsinmylineofbusinesswouldhavelikedtogetthecorpseofIncaCaxas。Suchas-"andhereeledoutalistofcelebratedmen。
"Nonsense，"growledtheCoroner。"Famousmenlikethoseyoumentionwouldnotmurderevenforthesakeofobtainingthismummy。"
"Ineversaidthattheywould，"retortedBraddock，"butyouwantedtohearwhowouldliketohavethemummy；andIhavetoldyou。"
TheCoronerwaivedthequestion。
"Wasthereanyjewelryonthemummylikelytoattractathief？"
heasked。
"HowthedevilshouldIknow？"fumedtheProfessor。"Ineverunpackedthemummy；Ineverevensawit。AnyjewelryburiedwithIncaCaxaswouldbeboundupinthebandages。SofarasIknowthosebandageswereneverunwound。"
"Youcanthrownolightonthesubject？"
"No，Ican’t。Boltonwenttogetthemummyandbroughtithome。
Iunderstoodthathewouldpersonallybringhispreciouschargetomyhouse；buthedidn’t。Why，Idon’tknow。"
WhentheProfessorsteppeddown，stillfumingatwhatheconsideredweretheunnecessaryquestionsoftheCoroner，theyoungdoctorwhohadexaminedthecorpsewascalled。Robinsondeposedthatdeceasedhadbeenstrangledbymeansofaredwindowcord，andthat，fromtheconditionofthebody，hewouldjudgedeathhadtakenplacesometwelvehoursmoreorlessbeforetheopeningofthepackingcasebyBraddock。Thatwasatthreeo’clockonThursdayafternoon，soinwitness’sopinionthecrimewascommittedbetweentwoandthreeonthepreviousmorning。
"ButIcan’tbeabsolutelycertainastotheprecisehour，"addedwitness；"atanyratepoorBoltonwasstrangledaftermidnightandbeforethreeo’clock。"
"Thatisawidemargin，"grumbledtheCoroner，jealousofhisbrother-practitioner。"Werethereany，otherwoundsonthebody？"
"No。Youcanseeforyourself，ifyouhaveinspectedthecorpse。"
TheCoroner，thusreproved，glared，andWidowAnneappearedafterRobinsonretired。Shestated，withmanysobs，thathersonhadnoenemiesandwasagood，kindyoungman。Shealsorelatedherdream，butthiswasfloutedbytheCoroner，whodidnotbelieveintheoccult。However，thenarrationofherpremonitionwaslistenedtowithdeepinterestbythoseinthecourt。WidowAnneconcludedherevidencebyaskinghowshewastolivenowthatherboySidwasdead。TheCoronerprofessedhimselfunabletoanswerthisquestion，anddismissedher。
SamuelQuass，thelandlordoftheSailor’sRest，wasnextcalled。
Heprovedtobeabig，burly，red-haired，red-whiskeredman，wholookedlikeasailor。Andindeedafewquestionselicitedtheinformationthathewasaretiredsea-captain。Hegavehisevidencegrufflybuthonestly，andalthoughhekeptsoshadyapublic-house，seemedstraightforwardenough。Hetoldmuchthesametaleashadappearedinthenewspapers。Inthehotelonthatnighttherewasonlyhimself，hiswifeandtwochildren，andthestaffofservants。BoltonretiredtobedsayingthathemightstartearlyforGartley，andpaidonepoundtogetthecasetakenacrosstoriverandplacedonalorry。AsBoltonhadvanishednextmorning，Quassobeyedinstructions，withtheresultwhicheveryoneknew。Healsostatedthathedidnotknowthecasecontainedamummy。
"Whatdidyouthinkitcontained？"askedtheCoronerquickly。
"Clothesandcuriosfromforeignparts，"saidthewitnesscoolly。
"DidMr。Boltontellyouso？"
"Hetoldmenothingaboutthecase，"growledthewitness，"buthechattedalotaboutMalta，whichIknowwell，havingputintothatportfrequentwhenasailor。"
"DidhehintatanyrowstakingplaceatMalta？"
"No，hedidn’t。"
"Didhesaythathehadenemies？"
"No，hedidn’t。"
"Didhestrikeyouasamanwhowasinfearofheath？"
"No，hedidn’t，"saidthewitnessforthethirdtime。"Heseemedhappyenough。IneverthoughtforonemomentthathewasdeaduntilIheardhowhisbodyhadbeenfoundinthepackingcase。"
TheCoroneraskedallmannerofquestions，andsodidInspectorDate；butallattemptstoincriminateQuasswerevain。Hewasbluffandstraightforward，andtold-sofarascouldbejudged-
everythingheknew。Therewasnothingforitbuttodismisshim，andElizaFlightwascalledasthelastwitness。
Shealsoprovedtobethemostimportant，assheknewseveralthingswhichshehadnottoldtohermaster，ortothereporters，oreventothepolice。Onbeingaskedwhyshehadkeptsilence，shesaidthatherdesirewastoobtainanyrewardthatmightbeoffered；butasshehadheardthattherewouldbenoreward，shewaswillingtotellwhatsheknew。Itwasanimportantpieceofevidence。
ThegirlstatedthatBoltonhadretiredtobedateightonthegroundfloor，andthebedroomhadawindow-asmarkedintheplan-whichlookedontotheriverastone-throwdistant。Atnineoratriflelaterwitnesswentouttohaveafewwordswithherlover。InthedarknessshesawthatthewindowwasopenandthatBoltonwastalkingtoanoldwomanmuffledinashawl。Shecouldnotseethewoman’sface，norjudgeofherstature，asshewasstoopingdowntolistentoBolton。Witnessdidnottakemuchnotice，asshewasinahurrytoseeherlover。Whenshereturnedpastthewindowatteno’clockitwasclosedandthelightwasextinguished，soshethoughtthatMr。Boltonwasasleep。
"But，totellthetruth，"saidElizaFlight，"Ineverthoughtanythingofthematteratall。ItwasonlyafterthemurderthatIsawhowimportantitwasIshouldremembereverything。"
"Andyouhave？"
"Yes，sir，"saidthegirl，honestlyenough。"Ihavetoldyoueverythingthathappenedonthatnight。NextMorning-"Shehesitated。
"Well，whataboutnextmorning？"
"Mr。Boltonhadlockedhisdoor。Iknowthat，becauseafewminutesaftereightonthenightbefore，notknowinghehadretired。Itriedtoentertheroomandmakereadythebedforthenight。Hesangoutthroughthedoor-whichwaslocked，forItriedit-thathewasinbed。Thatwasaliealso，asafternineIsawhimtalkingtothewomanatthewindow。"
"Youpreviouslysaidanoldwoman，"saidtheCoroner，referringtohisnotes。"Howdoyouknowshewasold？"
"Ican’tsayifshewasoldoryoung，"saidthewitnesscandidly；
"it’sonlyamannerofspeaking。Shehadadarkshawloverherheadandadarkdress。Icouldn’tsayifshewasoldoryoung，fairordark，stoutorlean，tallorshort。Thenightwasdark。"
TheCoronerreferredtotheplan。
"Thereisagas-lampnearthewindowofthebedroom。Didyounotseeherinthatlight？"
"Oh，yes，sir；butjustforamoment。Itookverylittlenotice。
HadIknownthatthegentlemanwastobemurdered，Ishouldhavetakenagreatdealofnotice。"
"Well，aboutthislockeddoor？"
"Itwaslockedover-night，sir，butwhenIwentnextmorning，itwasnotlocked。Iknockedandknocked，butcouldgetnoanswer。
Asitwaseleven，Ithoughtthegentlemanwassleepingverylong，soItriedtoopenthedoor。Itwasnotlocked，asIsay-but，"
addedwitnesswithemphasis，"thewindowwassnibbedandtheblindwasdown。"
"Thatisnaturalenough，"saidtheCoroner。"Mr:Bolton，afterhisinterviewwiththewoman，wouldofcoursesnibthewindow，andpulldowntheblind。Whenhewentawaynextmorninghewouldunlockthedoor。"
"Beggingyourpardon，sir，but，asweknow，hedidn’tgoawaynextmorning，beinginthepackingcase，naileddown。"
TheCoronercouldhavekickedhimselffortheverynaturalmistakehehadmade，forhesawaderisivegrinonthefacesaroundhim，andparticularlyonthatofInspectorDate。
"Thentheassassinmusthavegoneoutbythedoor，"hesaidweakly。
"ThenIdon’tknowhowhegotout，"criedElizaFlight，"forI
wasupatsixandthefrontandbackdoorsofthehotelwerelocked。AndaftersixIwasaboutinpassagesandroomsdoingmywork，andmasterandmissusandotherswereallovertheplace。
Howcouldthemurdererwalkout，sir，withoutsomeofusseeinghim？"
"Perhapsyoudid，andtooknonotice？"
"Oh，sir，ifastrangerwasaroundweshouldallhavetakennotice。"
Thisconcludedtheevidence，whichwasmeagreenough。WidowAnnewasindeedrecalledtoseeifMissFlightcouldidentifyherasthewomanwho，hadbeentalkingtoBolton，butwitnessfailedtorecognizeher，andthewidowherselfproved，bymeansofthreefriends，thatshehadbeenimbibingginathomeonthenightandatthehourinquestion。Also，therewasnoevidencetoconnectthisunknownwomanwiththemurder，andnosound-accordingtotheunanimoustestimonyoftheinmatesoftheSailor’sRest-hadbeenheardinthebedroomofBolton。Yet，astheCoronerobserved，theremusthavebeensomeknockingandhammeringandrippinggoingon。Butofthisnothingcouldbeproved，andalthoughseveralwitnesseswereexaminedagain，notonecouldthrowlightonthemystery。Underthesecircumstancesthejurycouldonlybringinaverdictofwilfulmurderagainstsomepersonorpersonsunknown，whichwasdone。AnditmaybementionedthatthecordwithwhichBoltonhadbeenstrangledwasidentifiedbythelandlordandthechamber-maidasbelongingtotheblindofthebedroomwindow。
"Well，"saidHope，whentheinquestwasover，"sonothingcanbeprovedagainstanyone。Whatistobedonenext？"
"I’lltellyouafterIhaveseenRandom，"saidtheProfessorcurtly。
CHAPTERVII
THECAPTAINOFTHEDIVER
Thedayaftertheinquest，SidneyBolton’sbodywasburiedinGartleychurchyard。Owingtothenatureofthedeath，andthepublicitygiventothemurderbythepress，agreatconcourseofpeopleassembledtowitnesstheinterment，andtherewasanimpressivesilencewhenthecorpsewascommittedtothegrave。
Afterwards，aswasnatural，muchdiscussionfollowedontheverdictattheinquest。Itwasthecommonopinionthatthejurycouldhavebroughtinnootherverdict，consideringthenatureoftheevidencesupplied；butmanypeopledeclaredthatCaptainHerveyofTheDivershouldhavebeencalled。Ifthedeceasedhadenemies，saidthesewiseacres，itwasprobablethathewouldhavetalkedAboutthemtotheskipper。Buttheyforgotthatthewitnessescalledattheinquest，includingthemotherofthedeadman，hadinsistedthatBoltonhadnoenemies，soitisdifficulttoseewhattheyexpectedCaptainHerveytosay。
Afterthefuneral，thejournalsmadebutfewremarksaboutthemystery。Everynowandthenitwashintedthatacluehadbeenfound，andthatthepolicewouldsoonerorlatertrackdownthecriminal。Butallthisloosechattercametonothing，andasthedayswentby，thepublic-inLondon，atallevents-lostinterestinthecase。TheenterprisingweeklypaperthathadofferedthefurnishedhouseandthelifeincometothepersonwhofoundtheassassinreceivedanintimationfromtheGovernmentthatsuchalotterycouldnotbeallowed。Thepaper，therefore，returnedtoLimericks，andtheamateurdetectives，likesomanyOthellos，foundtheiroccupationgone。ThenapoliticalcrisistookplaceinthefarEast，andtheficklepublicrelegatedthemurderofBoltontothelistofundiscoveredcrimes。EventheScotlandYarddetectives，failingtofindaclue，lostinterestinthematter，anditseemedasthoughthemysteryofBolton’sdeathwouldnotbesolveduntiltheDayofJudgment。
Inthevillage，however，peoplestillcontinuedtobekeenlyinterested，sinceBoltonwasoneofthemselves，and，moreover，WidowAnnekeptupaperpetualoutcryabouthermurderedboy。
ShehadlostthesmallweeklysumwhichSidneyhadallowedheroutofhiswages，sotheneighbors，thegentryofthesurroundingcountry，andtheofficersattheFortsentheramplewashingtodo。WidowAnneinafewweekshadquitealargebusiness，consideringthesizeofthevillage，andphilosophicallyobservedtoaneighborthat"Itwasanillwindwhichblewnooneanygood，"addingalsothatSidneywasmoregoodtoherdeadthanalive。ButeveninGartleythevillagersgrewwearyofdiscussingamysterywhichcouldneverbesolved，andsothecasebecamerarelytalkedabout。Inthesedaysofbustleandworryandcompetition，itiswonderfulhowpeopleforgetevenimportantevents。Ifabluesunarosetolightentheworldinsteadofayellowone，afterninedaysofwonder，manwouldsettledownquitecomfortablytoaceruleanexistence。Suchisthewonderfuladaptabilityofhumanity。
ProfessorBraddockwaslessforgetful，ashealwaysboreinmindthelossofhismummy，andconstantlythoughtofschemeswherebyhecouldtraptheassassinofhislatesecretary。Notthathecaredforthedeadinanyway，savefromastrictlybusinesspointofview，butthecaptureofthecriminalmeanttherestitutionofthemummy，and-asBraddocktoldeveryonewithwhomhecameincontact-hewasdeterminedtoregainpossessionofhistreasure。HewenthimselftotheSailor’sRest，anddrovethelandlordandhisservantswildbyaskingtartquestionsandstormingwhenasatisfactoryanswercouldnotbesupplied。Quasswasgladwhenhesawtheplumpbackofthecrosslittleman，whosopertinaciouslyfollowedwhateveryoneelsehadabandoned。
"Lifewastooshort，"grumbledQuass，"tobebotheredinthatway。"
ThewooingofArchieandLucywentonsmoothly，andtheProfessorshowednosignofwishingtobreaktheengagement。ButHope，asheconfidedtoLucy，wassomewhatworried，ashispauperuncle，onaninsufficientborrowedcapital，hadbeguntospeculateinSouthAfricanmines，anditwasprobablethathewouldloseallhismoney。InthatcaseHopefanciedhewouldbeoncemorecalledupontomakegoodtheavuncularloss，andsothemarriagewouldhavetobepostponed。Butitsohappenedthatthepauperunclemadesomeluckyspeculativeshotsandacquiredmoney，whichhepromptlyreinvestedinnewminesofthewildcatdescription。
Still，forthemomentallwaswell，andthelovershadafewhalcyondaysofpeaceandhappiness。
ThencameaboltfromtheblueinthepersonofCaptainHervey，whocalledafortnightafterthefuneraltoseetheProfessor。
Theskipperwasatall，slimman，leanasafastingfriar，andhardasnails，withcloselyclippedredhair，mustacheofthesameaggressivehue，andanAmericangoatee。HespokewithaYankeeaccent，andinatruculentmanner，sufficientlyannoyingtothefieryProfessor。WhenhemetBraddockinthemuseum，thetwobecameenemiesatthefirstglance，andbecausebothwerebad-temperedandobstinate，tookaninstantdisliketooneanother。Likedidnotdrawtolikeinthisinstance。
"Whatdoyouwanttoseemeabout？"askedBraddockcrossly。HehadbeensummonedbyCockatoofromtheperusalofanewpapyrustoseehisvisitor，andconsequentlywasnotinthebestoftempers。
"I’vejes’blewinfuratrifleofchin-music，"repliedHerveywithanemphaticU。S。A。accent。
"I’mbusy:getout，"wastheuncomplimentaryreply。
Herveytookachairand，stretchinghislengthylegs，producedablackcheroot，aslongandleanashimself。
"IfyouwereintheStates，Professor，I’ddrawabeadonyouforthatstyleoflingo。I’mnottakingany。See！"andhelightedup。
"You’rethecaptainof’TheDiver’？"
"That’sso；Iwas，thatis。Now，I’veshiftedtoadandywind-jammerofsortsthatcanrunringsroundtheoldbarky。I
surmiseI’mofffortheSouthSeas，pearl-fishing，inthreemonths。I’lltakethatKanakaalongwithme，ify’like，Professor，"andhecastasideglanceatCockatoo，whowassquattingonhishamsasusual，polishingablueenameledjarfromaThebantomb。
"Irequiretheservicesoftheman，"saidBraddockstiffly。"Astoyou，sir:you’vebeenpaidforyourbusinessinconnectionwithBolton’spassageandtheshipmentofmymummy，sothereisnomoretobesaid。"
"Heapsmore！heaps，youbet，"remarkedthemanoftheseaplacidly，andcontrollingatemperwhichinlesscivilizedpartswouldhaveledhimtowipethefloorwiththeplumpscientist。
"Myownerswerepaidfurthatracket:notme。No，sir。SoI’vepaddledintothisporttoseeifIcanrakeinafewdollarsonmyown。"
"I’venodollarstogiveyou-incharity，thatis。"
"Huh！An’whoaskedcharity，youbald-headedjelly-bag？"
Braddockgrewscarletwithfury。"Ifyouspeaktomelikethat，youruffian，I’llthrowyouout。"
"What？-you？"
"Yes，me，"andtheProfessorstoodontip-toe，likethebantamhewas。
"Youmakemesmile，andlikewisetired，"murmuredHervey，admiringthelittleman’spluck。"Seehere，Professor，touchingthatmummy？"
"Mymummy:mygreenmummy。Whataboutit？"Braddockrosetotheflythrownbythisskilfulangler。
"That’sso。WhatwillyoushelloutifIpassalongthatcorpse？"
"Ah！"TheProfessoragainstoodontip-toe，gaspingandpurpleintheface。Healmostsqueakedintheextremityofhisanger。
"Iknewit。"
"Knewwhat？"demandedtheskipper，genuinelysurprised。
"Iknewthatyouhadstolenmymummy。Yes，youneedn’tdenyit。
Bolton，likethesillyfoolhewas，toldyouhowvaluablethemummywas，andyoustrangledthepoordeviltogetmyproperty。"
"Goslow，"saidthecaptain，innowiseperturbedbythisaccusation。"Iwouldhaveyourememberthatattheinquestitwasstatedthatthewindowwaslockedandthedoorwasopen。HowthencouldIwaltzintothatblamedhotelandarrangeforafuneral？’Sides，Iguessshootingismor’nmylinethangarrotting。IleavethattotheEastCoastYellow-Stomachs。"
Braddocksatdownandwipedhisface。Hesawplainlyenoughthathehadnotalegtostandon，asHerveywasplainlyinnocent。
"’Sides，"wentontheskipper，chewinghischeroot，"IguessifI’dwantedthatoldcorpseofyours，I’dhaveyankedBoltonoverside，andsetdowntheaccidenttobadweather。Betterfurmetolootthecaseaboardthantomakeafoolofmyselfashore。
No，sir，H。H。don’trun’isownperticlerprivatecircusinthatblamedway。"
"H。H。WhothedevilisH。H。？"
"Me，youbet。HiramHervey，citizenoftheU。S。A。Nantucketneighborhoodforhomelife。Andsee，don’tyougetm’hairriz，orI’llscalp。"
"Youcan’tscalpme，"chuckledBraddock，passinghishandoveraverybaldhead。"Seehere，whatdoyouwant？"
"NameapriceandI’llfloatroundtogetbackyourverdantcorpse。"
"IthoughtyouweregoingtotheSouthSeas？"
"Inthreemonths，pearl-fishing。Lotsoftime，Ireckon，torunthisoldcircusIwantyoutofinance。"
"Haveyouanysuspicions？"
"No，’septIdon’tbelieveinthatwindowbusiness。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"Braddocksatupright。
"Well，"drawledtheYankee，"y’see，Iinterviewedthegalastoldthatperticlerlieincourt。"
"ElizaFlight。Wasitalieshetold？"
"Well，notexactly。Thewindowwassnibbed，butthatwasdoneafterthechapwhosentyourpaltoKingdomComehadgotout。"
Doyoumeantosaythatthewindowwaslockedfromtheoutside？"
askedBraddock，andthen，whenHerveynodded，heexclaimed"Impossible！"
"Narryanimpossibility，youbet。Thechapwhoengineeredthecircuswasall-firedsmart。Thesnibwasanoldone，andheyankedapieceofstringroundit，andpassedthestringthroughthecrackbetweentheupperandlowersashofthewindow。Whenoutsidehepulled，andthesnibslidintoplace。Butheleftthestringonthegroundoutside。Ipickeditupnex’dayandguessedtherackethe’dbeenon。Itriedthesamebusinessandbroughtoffthedeal。"
"Itsoundswonderfulandyetimpossible，"criedBraddock，rubbinghisbaldheadandwalkingexcitedlytoandfro。"Seehere，I’llcomealongwithyouandseehowit’sdone。"
"Youbetyou，won’t，unlessyoushellout。Seehere"-Herveyleanedforward-"fromthatwindowbusinessit’splainthatnooneinsidetheshantycorpsedyourpal。Thechapasdiditenteredandleftbythewindow，andmadetrackswiththatoldcorpyouwant。Nowyoupassalongfivehundredpounds-that’sEnglishcurrency，Ireckon-andI’llsmellroundfortherobber。"
"AndwheredoyouthinkIcanobtainfivehundredpounds？"askedtheProfessorverydryly。
"Well，Iguessifthatblamedcorpseisworthit，you’llbewillingtotrade。Y’don’tliveinthisshantyfornothing。"
"Mygoodfriend，Ihaveenoughtoliveon，andobtainthishouseatasmallrentonaccountofitsisolation。ButIcannomorefindthesumoffivehundredpoundsthanfly。"
Herveyroseandstraightenedhislegs。
"ThenIguessI’dbestbegettingbacktoPierside。"
"Onemoment，sir。Didanythinghappenonthevoyage？-didBoltonsayanythinglikelytoleadyoutosupposethathewasindangerofbeingrobbedandmurdered？"
"No，"saidtheskippermusingly，andpullinghisgoatee。"Hetoldmethathehadsecuredtheoldcorpse，andwasbringingithometoyou。Ididn’ttalkmuchtoBolton；hewasn’tmystyle。"
"Haveyouanyideawhokilledhim？"
"No，Iain’t。"
"Thenhowdoyouproposetofindthecriminalwhohasthemummy？"
"Yougivemefivehundredpoundsandsee，"saidHerveycoolly。
"Ihaven’tgotthemoney。"
"ThenIreckonyoudon’tgetthecorpse。Solong，"andtheskipperstrolledtowardsthedoor。Braddockfollowedhim。
"Youhaveaclue？"
"No，I’vegotnothing；noteventhatfivehundredpoundsyoumakesuchafussover。It’sawasteddaywithH。H。，Isurmise。
Wait！"Hescribbledonacardandflungitacrosstheroom。
"That’smyPiersideaddressifyoushouldchangeyourblamedmind。"
TheProfessorpickedupthecard。"TheSailor’sRest！What，areyoustoppingthere？"Then，whenHerveynodded，hecriedviolently，"Why，Ibelieveyouhaveaclue，andstopatthehoteltofollowitup。"
"MaybeIdoandmaybeIdon’t，"retortedthecaptain，openingthedoorwithajerk；"anyhow，Idon’thuntforthatcorpsewithoutthedollars。"
WhenHiramHerveydeparted，theProfessorragedupanddowntheroomsoviolentlythatCockatoowascowedbyhisanger。
ApparentlythisAmericanskipperknewofsomethingwhichmightleadtothediscoveryoftheassassinandincidentallytotherestorationofthegreenmummytoitsrightfulowner。Buthewouldnotmakeamoveunlesshewaspaidfivehundredpounds，andBraddockdidnotknowwheretoprocurethatamount。HavinglongsincemadehimselfacquaintedwithHope’sfinancialcondition，heknewwellthattherewasnochanceofgettingasecondcheckinthatquarter。OfcoursetherewasRandom，whomhehadheardcasuallyhadreturnedfromhisyachtingcruise，andwasnowbackagainattheFort。ButRandomwasinlovewithLucy，andwouldprobablyonlygiveorlendthemoneyonconditionthattheProfessorhelpedhimwithhiswooing。Inthatcase，sinceLucywasengagedtoHope，therewouldbesomedifficultyinalteringpresentconditions。Buthavingarrivedatthispointofhissomewhatangrymeditations，BraddocksentCockatoowithamessagetohisstep-daughter，sayingthathewishedtoseeher。
"I’llseeifshereallylovesHope，"thoughttheProfessor，rubbinghisplumphands。"Ifshedoesn’t，theremaybeachanceofherthrowinghimovertobecomeLadyRandom。ThenIcangetthemoney。Andindeed，"soliloquizedtheProfessorvirtuously，"Imustpointouttoherthatitiswrongofhertomakeapoormarriage，whenshecangainawealthyhusband。Iwillonlybedoingmydutybymydeardeadwife，bypreventingherweddingpoverty。Butgirlsaresoobstinate，andLucyisathoroughgirl。"
HisamiableanxietyonbehalfofMissKendalwasonlycutshortbytheentranceoftheyoungladyherself。ProfessorBraddockthenshowedhishandtooplainlybyevincingastrongwishtoconciliateherineveryway。Heprocuredheraseat:heaskedafterherhealth:hetoldherthatshewasgrowingprettiereveryday，andinallwaysbehavedsounlikehisusualself，thatLucybecamealarmedandthoughtthathehadbeen"Whyhaveyousentforme？"sheasked，anxioustocometothepoint。
"Aha！"Braddockputhisvenerableheadononesidelikearoguishbirdandsmiledinaninfantinemanner。"Ihavegoodnewsforyou。"
"Aboutthemummy？"shedemandedinnocently。
"No，aboutfleshandblood，whichyouprefer。SirFrankRandomhasarrivedbackattheFort。There！"
"Iknowthat，"wasMissKendal’sunexpectedreply。"HisyachtcametoPiersideonthesameafternoonasTheDiverarrived。"
"Oh，indeed！"saidtheProfessor，struckbythecoincidence，andwithastare。"Howdoyouknow？"
"ArchiemetSirFranktheotherday，andlearnedasmuch。"
"What？"Braddockstruckatragicattitude。"Doyoumeantosaythatthosetwoyoungmenspeaktooneanother？"
"Yes。Whynot？Theyarefriends。"
"Oh！"Braddockbecameroguishagain。"Ifanciedtheywereloversofacertainyoungladywhoisinthisroom。"
BythistimeLucywasbeginningtoguesswhatherstepfatherwasaimingat，andgrewcorrespondinglyangry"Archieismysolelovernow，"sheremarkedstiffly。"SirFrankknowsthatweareengagedandisquitereadytobethefriendofusboth。"
"Andhecallsthatlove。Idiot！"criedtheProfessor，muchdisgusted。"ButIwouldpointouttoyou，Lucy-andIdosobecauseofmydeepaffectionforyou，dearchild-thatSirFrankiswealthy。"
"SoisArchie-inmylove。"
"Nonsense！nonsense！Thatismerefoolishromance，Hehasnomoney。"
"Youshouldnotsaythat。Archiehadmoneytotheextentofonethousandpounds，whichhegaveyou。"
"Onethousandpounds:amerenothing。Consider，Lucy，thatifyoumarryRandomyouwillhaveatitle。"
MissKendal，whosepatiencewasgettingexhausted，stampedaveryneatboot。
"Idon’tknowwhyyoutalkinthisway，father。"
"Iwishtoseeyouhappy。"
"Thenyourwishisgranted:youdoseemehappy。ButIwon’tbehappylongifyoukeepbotheringmetomarryamanIdon’tcaretwostrawsabout。IamgoingtobeMrs。Hope，sothere。"
"Mydearchild，"saidtheProfessor，whoalwaysbecamepaternalwhenmostobstinate，"IhavereasontobelievethatthegreenmummycanbediscoveredandpoorSidney’sdeathavengedifarewardoffivehundredpoundsisoffered。IfHopecangivemethatmoney-"
"Hewillnot:Ishallnotallowhimto。Hehaslosttoomuchalready。"
"InthatcaseImustapplytoSirFrankRandom。"
"Well，apply，"shesnapped，beingdecidedlyangry；"it’snoneofmybusiness。Idon’twanttohearanythingaboutit。"
"Itisyourbusiness，miss，"criedBraddock，growingangryinhisturnandbecomingverypink；"youknowthatonlybygettingyoutomarryRandomcanIprocurethemoney。"
"Oh！"saidLucycoldly。"Sothisiswhyyousentforme。Now，father，Ihavehadenoughofthis。YougaveyourconsenttoArchiebeingengagedtomeinexchangeforonethousandpounds。
AsIlovehimIshallabidebythewordyougave。IfIhadnotlovedhimIshouldhaverefusedtomarryhim。Youunderstand？"
"IunderstandthatIhaveaveryobstinategirltodealwith。
YoushallmarryasIchoose。"
"Ishalldonothingofthesort。Youhavenorighttodictatemychoiceofahusband。"
"Noright，whenIamyourfather？"
"Youarenotmyfather:merelymystep-father-merelyarelationbymarriage。Iamofage。IcandoasIlike，andintendto。"
"But，Lucy，"imploredBraddock，changinghistune，"think。"
"Ihavethought。ImarryArchie。"
"ButheispoorandRandomisrich。"
"Idon’tcare。IloveArchieandIdon’tloveFrank。"
"Wouldyouhavemelosethemummyforever？"
"Yes，Iwould，ifmymiseryistobethepriceofitsrestoration。WhyshouldIsellmyselftoamanIcarenothingabout，justbecauseyouwantamusty，fustyoldcorpse？NowIamgoing。"Lucywalkedtothedoor。"Ishan’tlistentoanotherword。Andifyoubothermeagain，IshallmarryArchieatonceandleavethehouse。"
"Icanmakeyouleaveitinanycase，youungratefulgirl，"
bellowedBraddock，whowaspurplewithrage，neverhavingaverygoodtemperatthebestoftimes。"LookwhatIhavedoneforyou！"
MissKendalcouldhavepointedoutthatherStepfatherhaddonenothingsaveattendtohimself。Butshedisdainedsuchanargument，andwithoutanotherwordopenedthedoorandwalkedout。AlmostimmediatelyafterwardsCockatooentered，muchtothereliefoftheProfessor，whorelievedhisfeelingsbykickingtheunfortunateKanaka。Thenhesatdownagaintoconsiderwaysandmeansofobtainingthenecessarymummyandstillmorenecessarymoney。
CHAPTERVIII
THEBARONET
SirFrankRandomwasanamiableyounggentlemanwith-asthesayinggoes-allhisgoodsintheshopwindow。Fair-hairedandtall，withawell-knit，athleticfigure，apolishedmanner，andaman-of-the-worldair，hestrictlyresembledtheromanticofficerofBowBells，FamilyHerald，YoungLadies’Journalfiction。Buttheromancewasallinhiswell-groomedlooks，ashewasascommonplaceaSaxonascouldbemetwithinaday’smarch。Fondofsport，attentivetohisdutiesasartillerycaptain，anddevotedtowhatisromanticallyknownasthefairsex，hesaunteredeasilythroughlife，verywellcontentedwithhimselfandwithhisagreeablesurroundings。Hereadfictionwhenhedidread，andthoseweeklypapersdevotedtosport；troubledhisheadverylittleaboutpolitics，savewhentheyhadtodowithapossibleGermaninvasion，andwasalwaysreadytodoanyoneagoodturn。Hisbrother-officersdeclaredthathewasnothalfabadsort，whichwashighpraisefromtheusuallyreticentserviceman。Hiscapacitymaybeaccuratelygaugedbythefactthathedidnotpossessasingleenemy，andthateveryonespokewellofhim。Amortalwhopossessesnoqualitylikelytobeenviedbythosearoundhimiscertaintobelongtotherankandfileofhumanity。Buttheseunconsideredunitsofmankindcanalwaysconsolethemselveswiththeundoubtedfactthatmediocrityisinvariablyhappy。
SuchamanasRandomwouldneversettheThamesonfire，andcertainlyhehadnoambitiontoperformthatastoundingfeat。Hewasfondofhisprofessionandintendedtoremaininthearmyaslongashecould。Hedesiredtomarryandbegetafamily，andretire，whensetfreefromsoldiering，tohiscountryseat，andthereperformblamelesslythecongenialroleofavillagesquire，untilcalledupontojointherespectablecorpsesintheRandomvault。Notthathewasasaintorevercouldbeone。Neitherblacknorwhite，hewassimplygray，beinganordinarymixtureofgoodandbad。Astheologyhasprovidednohereafterforgraypeople，itishardtoimaginewherethebulkofhumanitywillgo。
ButdoubtsonthispointnevertroubledRandom。Hewenttochurch，kepthismouthshutandhisporesopenandvaguelybelievedthatitwouldbeallrightsomehow。Averycomfortableifsuperficialphilosophyindeed。
ItcaneasilybeguessedthatRandom’ssomewhatcolorlesspersonalitywouldneverattractLucyKendal，sincethehuesofherowncharacterweredeeper。ForthisreasonshewasdrawntoHope，whopossessedthataggressiveartistictemperament，wheregoodandbad，areinviolentcontrast。Randomtookopinionsfrombooks，orfromotherpeople，andhismind，likealooking-glass，reflectedwhatevercamealong；butHopepossessedopinionsofhisown，bothrightandwrong，andheldtotheseinthefaceofallverbalopposition。Hecouldargueanddidargue，whenRandomsimplyagreed。Lucyhadsimilaridiosyncrasies，inheritedfromacleverfather，soitwasjustaswellthatshepreferredArchietoFrank。Hadthelatteryounggentlemanmarriedher，hewouldhavedwindledtoLadyRandom’shusband，andwouldhavefoundtoolatethathehaddomesticatedakindofimitationGeorgeEliot。
WhenhecongratulatedArchieonhisengagementsomewhatruefully，helittlethoughtwhatanescapehehadhad。
ButProfessorBraddock，whodidnotbelongtothegraytribe，knewnothingofthis，ashisEgyptologicalstudiesdidnotpermithimtimetoargueonsuchcommonplacematters。HethereforefailedinadvancewhenhesetouttopersuadeRandomintorenewinghissuit。Asthefierylittlemanafterwardsexpressedhimself，"Imightaswellhavetalkedtoamollusc，"forRandompolitelydeclinedtobeusedasaninstrumenttoforwardtheProfessor’sambitionatthecostofMissKendal’sunhappiness。
TheinterviewtookplaceinSirFrank’squartersattheFortonthedayafterHerveyhadcalledtoproposeasearchforthecorpse。AnditwasduringthisinterviewthatBraddocklearnedsomethingwhichbothstartledandannoyedhim。
Random，atthreeo’clock，hadjustchangedintomufti，whentheProfessorwasannouncedbyhisservant。Braddock，determinedtogivehishostnochanceofdenyinghimself，followedcloseontheman’sheels，andwasintheroomalmostbeforeSirFrankhadreadthecard。Itwasabareroom，sparselyfurnished，accordingtotheWarOffice’sideaofcomfort，andalthoughthebaronethadaddedafewmorecivilizednecessities，itstilllookedsomewhatdismal。Braddock，wholikedcomfort，shookhandscarelesslywithhishostandcastadisapprovingeyeonhissurroundings。
"Dogkennel！dogkennel！"grumbledthepoliteProfessor。"Baredesolationlikeadamneddungeon。YoumightaswellliveintheSahara。"
"Itwouldcertainlybewarmer，"repliedRandom，whoknewthescientist’ssnappywaysverywell。"Takeachair，sir！"
"Hardasbricks，confoundit！"Handmeoveracushion。There，that’sbetter！No，Ineverdrinkbetweenmeals，thankyou。
Smoke？Hangit，Random，youshouldknowbythistimethatI
dislikemakingachimneyofmythroat！There！there！don’tfuss。
TakeaseatandlistentowhatIhavetosay。It’simportant。
Pokethefire，please:it’scold。"
Randomplacidlydidashewastold，andthenlightedacigar，ashesatdownquietly。
"Iamsorrytohearofyourtrouble，sir。’"
"Trouble！trouble！Whatparticulartrouble？"
"Thedeathofyourassistant。"
"Ohyes。Sillyyoungasstogetkilled。Lostmymummy，too:
there’stroubleifyoulike。"
"Thegreenmummy。"Randomlookedintothefire，"Yes。Ihaveheardofthegreenmummy。"
"Ishouldthinkyouhave，"snappedBraddock，warminghisplumphands。"Everypenny-a-linerhasbeentalkingaboutit。Whendidyoureturn？"
"Onthesamedaythatthatsteamerwiththemummyonboardarrived，"wasRandom’soddreply。
TheProfessorstaredsuspiciously。"Idon’tseewhyyoushoulddateyourmovementsbymymummy，"heretorted。
"Well，Ihadareasonindoingso。"
"Whatreason？"
"Themummy-"
"Whataboutit？-doyouknowwhereitis？"Braddockstartedtohisfeet，andlookedeagerlyatthecalmfaceofhishost。
"No，IwishIdid。Howmuchdidyoupayforit，Professor？"
"What’sthattoyou？"snappedtheother，resuminghisseat。
"Nothingatall。ButitisagreatdealtoDonPedrodeGayangos。"
"Andwhothedeuceishe？SomeSpanishEgyptologist？"
"Idon’tthinkheisanEgyptologist，sir。"
"Hemustbe，ifhewantsmymummy。"
"Youforget，Professor，thatthegreenmummycomesfromPeru。"
"Whodeniedthatitdid，sir？Youareillogical-infernallyso。"Thelittlemanroseandstraddledonthehearth-rug，withhisbacktothefireandhishandsunderhiscoat-tails。"Now，sir，"hesaid，glaringattheyoungmanlikeaschool-master-
"whatthedeuceareyoutalkingabout？Outwithit:noevasion，"
"Oh，hangit，Professor，don’tjumpdownmythroat，spursandall，"saidRandom，ratherannoyedbythisdictatorialtone。
"Ineverwearspurs:goon，sir，anddon’targue。"
SirFrankcouldnothelplaughing，althoughhtknewthatitwasuselesstoinduceBraddocktobecivil。NotthattheProfessor，meanttoberude，especiallyashedesiredtoconciliateRandom。
Butlongyearsoffightingwithotherscientistsandofhavinghisownscientificwayhadturnedhimintoakindofschool-master，andeveryoneknowsthattheyarethemostdomineeringofthehumanrace。
"It’salongstory，"saidthebaronet，withashrugandasmile。
"Story！story！Whatstory？"
"’ThatwhichIamabouttotellyou。"AndthenRandombeganhurriedly，soastopreventfurtherargumentsofanunprofitablekind。"IwasatGenoawithmyyacht，andtherestoppedonshoreattheCasaBianca。"
"Whatplaceisthat？"
"Anhotel。ItheremetwithacertainDonPedrodeGayangosandhisdaughter，DonnaInez，HewasagentlemanfromLima，andhadcometoEuropeinsearchofthegreenmummy。"
Braddockstared。
"AndwhatdidthisconfoundedSpaniardwantwithmygreenmummy？"
hedemandedindignantly。"Howdidheknowofitsexistence？-
whatreasonhadhetotryandobtainit？Answer，sir。"
"IshallletDonPedroanswerhimself，"saidRandomdryly。"Hearrivesinacoupleofdays，andintendstotakeroomsattheWarriorInnalongwithhisdaughter。Thenyoucanquestionhim，Professor。"
"Iquestionyou，"snappedBraddockangrily。
"AndIamansweringtothebestofmyability。DonPedrotoldmenothingbeyondthefactthathewantedthemummy，andhadcometoEuropetogetit。InsomewayhelearnedthatitwasinMaltaandwasforsale。"
"Quiteso:quiteso，"raspedtheProfessor。"Hesawtheadvertisementinthenewspapers，asIdid，andwantedtobuyitovermyhead。"
"Oh，hewantedtobuyitrightenough，andwiredtoMalta，"saidRandom，"butinreplyhereceivedaletterstatingthatithadbeensoldtoyouandwasbeingtakentoEnglandonTheDiver。I
followedTheDiverinmyyachtandarrivedatPiersideanhouraftershedid。"
"Ah！"Braddockglared。"Ibegintoseelight。ThisinfernalSpaniardwasonboard，andwantedmymummy。HeknewthatBoltonhadtakenittotheSailor’sRestandwenttheretokillthepoorladandgetmy-"
"Nothingofthesort，"interruptedSirFrankimpatiently。"DonPedroremainedbehindinGenoa，intendingtowriteandaskifyouwouldsellhimthemummy。Iwroteandtoldhimofthemurderofyourassistantandrelatedallthathadhappened。HewiredtomethathewascomingtoEnglandatonce，as-asItoldyou。HewillbeinGartleyinacoupleofdays。Thatisthewholestory。"
"Itisasufficientlystrangeone，"grumbledBraddock，frowning。
"Whatdoeshewantwithmymummy？"。
"Icannottellyou。Butifyouwillsell-"
"Sell！sell！sell！"vociferatedBraddockfuriously。