第3章
"DonPedrowillgiveyouagoodprice，"finishedRandomcalmly。
"Ihaven’tgotthemummy，"saidtheProfessor，sittingdownandwipinghispinkhead，"andifIhad，Icertainlywouldnotsell。
However，I’llhearwhatthisgentlemanhastosaywhenhearrives。Perhapshecanthrowsomelightonthemysteryofthiscrime。"
"Iamperfectlycertainthathecannot，sir。DonPedro-asI
said-wasleftbehindinGenoa。"
"Humph！"saidtheProfessor，unconvinced。"Hecouldeasilyemployathirdparty。"
Randomrose，lookingandfeelingannoyed。
"IassureyouthatDonPedroisagentlemananda，manofhonor。
Hewouldnotstoopto-"
"There！there！"Braddockwavedhishands。"Sitdown:sitdown。"
"Youshouldn’tsaysuchthings，Professor。"
"IsaywhatIdesiretosay，"retortedtheoldgentlemanmantartly；"butwecandismissthesubjectforthetimebeing。"
"Iamonlytoogladtodoso，"saidRandom，whowasruffledoutofhisusualcalmbytheveiledaccusationwhichBraddockhadbroughtagainsthisforeignfriend，"andtogettoamoreagreeablesubject，tellmehowMissKendaliskeeping。"
"Sheisill，veryill，"saidtheProfessorsolemnly。
"Ill？Why，Hope，whomImettheotherday，saidthatshewasfeelingverywellandveryhappy。"
"SoHopethinks，becausehehasforcedherintoanengagement。"
Randomstartedtohisfeet。
"Forcedher？Nonsense！"
"Itisn’tnonsense，anddon’tdaretospeaklikethattome，sir。
IrepeatthatLucy-poorchild-isbreakingherheartforyou。"
Theyoungmanstaredandthenbrokeintoaheartylaugh。
"Pardonme，sir，butthatisimpossible"
"Itisn’t，confoundyou！"saidBraddock，whodidnotlikebeinglaughedat。"Iknowwomen。"
"Youdon’tknowyourdaughter。"
"Step-daughter，youmean。"
"Ah，perhapsthemoredistantrelationshipaccountsforyourignoranceofhercharacter，"saidRandomdryly。"Youarequitewrong。IwasinlovewithMissKendal，andaskedhertobemywifebeforeIwentonleave。Sherefusedme，sayingthatshelovedHope，andbecauseofherrefusalItookmybrokenhearttoMonteCarlo，whereIlostmuchmoremoneythanIhadanyrighttolose。"
"Yourbrokenheartseemstohavemendedquickly，"saidBraddock，whowastryingtosuppresshiswrathatthisinstanceofLucy’sduplicity，forsoheconsideredit。
"Oh，pooh，it’sonlymywayofspeaking，"laughedtheyoungman。
"IfmyhearthadbeenreallybrokenIshouldnothavementionedthefact。"
"ThenyoudidnotloveLucy，andyoudaredtoplayfastandloosewithheraffections，"ragedBraddock，stamping。
"Youarequitewrong，"saidSirFranksharply；"IdidloveMissKendal，orIshouldcertainlynothaveaskedhertobemywife。
Butwhenshetoldmethatshelovedanotherman，Istoodasideasanyfellowwould。"
"Youshouldhaveinsistedon-"
"Onnothing，sir。Iamnotthemantoforceawomantogivemeaheartwhichbelongstoanotherperson。IamverygladthatMissKendalisengagedtoHope，asheisacapitalfellow，andwillmakeherabetterhusbandthanIevercouldhavemadeher。
Besides，"Randomshruggedhisshoulders，"onenaildrivesanotherout。"
"Humph！Thatmeansyouloveanother。"
"Iamnotboundtotellyoumyprivateaffairs，Professor。"
"Quiteso:quiteso；butInezisaprettyandromanticname。"
"Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，sir，"saidRandomstiffly。
Braddockchuckled，havingreadthetruthintheflushwhichhadcreptoverRandom’stannedface。
"Iaskyourpardon，"hesaidelaborately。"Iamanoldman，andIwasyourfather’sfriend。YoumustnotmindifIhavebeenatrifleinquisitive。"
"Saynomore，sir:thatisallright。"
"Idon’tagreewithyou，Random。Thingsarenotallrightandneverwillbeuntilmymummyisdiscovered。Nowyoucanhelpme。"
"Inwhatway？"askedtheotheruneasily。
"Withmoney。Understand，myboy，"addedtheProfessorinagenialwaywhichheknewwellhowtoassume，"IshouldhavepreferredLucybecomingyourwife。However，sincesheprefersHope，there’snomoretobesaidonthatscore。IthereforewillnotmaketheofferIcameheretomake。"
"Anoffer，sir？"
"Yes！IfanciedthatyoulovedLucyandwerebroken-heartedbythenewsofherengagementtoHope。Ithereforeintendedtoaskyoutogiveme，orratherlendme，fivehundredpoundsonconditionthatIhelpedyouto-"
"Stop，Professor，"saidRandom，coloring，"IshouldneverhaveboughtMissKendalasmywifeonthoseterms。"
"Ofcourse！ofcourse！and-asIsay-thereisnomoretobesaid。IshallthereforeagreetoLucy’sengagementtoHope"-
Braddockcarefullyomittedtosaythathehadalreadyagreedandhadbeenpaidonethousandpoundstoagree-"andwillcongratulateyouwhenyouleadDonnaIneztothealtar。"
"IneversaidanythingaboutDonnaInez，ProfessorBraddock。"
"Ofcoursenot:modernreticence。However，Icanseethroughabrickwallaswellasmostpeople。Iunderstand，soletusdropthesubject，myboy。Andthisfivehundredpounds-"
"Icannotlendittoyou，Professor。Thefactis，IlostheapsofcoinatMonteCarlo，andamnotinapositionto-？"
"Verygood，letusshelvethatalso，"saidBraddockwithapparentheartiness，althoughhewasreallyveryangryathisfailure。"I
amsorry，though，asIwishtogetbackthemummyandtorevengepoorSidneyBolton’sdeath。"
"Howcanthefivehundreddothat？"askedRandomwithinterest。
"Well，"drawledtheProfessorwithhiseyesontheyoungman’sattentiveface，"CaptainHerveyofTheDivercametomeyesterdayandproposedtosearchfortheassassinandhisplunderonconditionthatIpaidhimfivehundredpounds。Iam，asyouknow，verypoorforascientist，andsoIwishedtoborrowthefivehundredfromyouonconditionthatLucy-"
"Wewon’ttalkofthatagain，"saidRandomhurriedly；"butdoyoumeantosaythatthisCaptainHerveyknowsofanythinglikelytosolvethismystery？"
"Hesaysthathedoesnot，andmerelyproposestosearch。FromwhatIhaveseenofthemanIshouldthinkthathehadallthecapacitiesofagoodbloodhoundandwouldcertainlysucceed。Buthewillnotmoveastepwithoutmoney。"
"Fivehundredpounds，"murmuredRandomthoughtfully，whiletheProfessorwatchedhimclosely。"Icantellyouhowtoobtainit。"
"How？Inwhatway？"
"DonPedroseemstoberich，andhewantsthemummy，"saidthebaronet。"Sowhenhecomeshereaskhimto-"
"Certainlynot:certainlynot，"ragedBraddock，clappingonhishatinafury。"Howdareyoumakesuchapropositiontome，Random！IfthisDonPedroofferstherewardandHerveyfindsthemummy，hewillsimplyhanditovertoyourfriend。"
"Hecanscarcelydothat，sinceyouhaveboughtthemummy。ButDonPedroiswillingtopurchaseitfromyou。"
"Humph！"Braddockmovedtothedoor，thinking。"Ishallreservemydecisionuntilthismanarrives。Goodday，"andhedeparted。
Randomdidnotattempttodetainhim，ashewassomewhatwearyoftheProfessor’svagaries。HeknewverywellthatBraddockwouldcallonDonPedrowhenhecametotheWarriorInn，andjoinforceswithhiminsearchingforthelostgoods。AndthetrainofthoughtinitiatedbytheProfessor’svisitledRandomtoacertaindrawer，whencehetookthephotographofasplendid-lookingbeauty。Tothishepressed`hislips。"I
wonderifyourfatherwillgiveyoutomeinexchangeforthatmummy，"hethought，andkissedthepicturedfaceagain。
CHAPTERIX
MRS。JASHER’SLUCK’
SomeweekshadnowelapsedsincethedeathandburialofSidneyBolton，andtheexcitementhadsimmereddowntoagentlespeculationastowhohadkilledhim。Thisquestionwasdiscussedinahalf-heartedmannerroundthewinterfiresofGartley，butgraduallypeoplewereceasingtointerestthemselvesinacrime，themysteryofwhichwouldapparentlyneverbesolved。LifewentoninthevillageandatthePyramidsmuchinthesameway，savethattheProfessorattendedalongwithCockatootohismuseumanddidnotengageanotherassistant。
ArchieandLucywereperfectlyhappy，astheylookedforwardtobeingmarriedinthespring，andBraddockshowednodesiretointerferewiththeirengagement。Theyknew，ofcourse，thathehadcalleduponSirFrank，butwereignorantofwhathadtakenplace。RandomhimselfcalledatthePyramidstocongratulateMissKendalonherengagement，andseemedsoverypleasedthatshewasgoingtomarrythemanofherchoice，that，woman-like，shegrewratherannoyed。Asthebaronethadbeenherlover，shethoughtthatheshouldwearthewillowforhersake。ButRandomshowednodispositiontodoso，thereforeLucyshrewdlyguessedthathisbrokenhearthadbeenmendedbyanotherwoman。TheProfessorcouldhaveconfirmedthetruthofthisfromthehintswhichRandomhadgivenhim，buthesaidnothingabouthisinterviewwiththeyoungman，nordidhementionthataSpanishgentlemanfromPeruwasseekingforthefamousgreenmummy。
ConsiderablyvexedthatRandomshouldbesocheerful，Lucycastroundtolearnthetruth。Shecouldscarcelyaskthebaronethimself，andArchieprofessedhimselfunabletoexplain。MissKendaldidnotdreamofcross-examiningBraddock，asitneverenteredhermindthatthedry-as-dustscientistwouldknowanything。ItthenoccurredtothisinquisitiveyoungladythatMrs。JashermightbeawareofRandom’ssecret，whichmadehimsocheerful。SirFrankwasagreatfriendoftheplumpwidow，andfrequentlywenttotakeafternoonteaathersmallhouse，whichwassituatednogreatdistancefromtheFort。Infact，Mrs。
Jasherentertainedtheofficerslargely，asshewashospitablebynature，andlikedtohavepresentablemenaboutherforflirtingpurposes。Withgood-lookingyouthsheassumedthematernalair，andintheroleofacleverwomanoftheworldprofessedtobetheadviserofoneandall。Inthiswayshebecamequiteafavorite，andherlittleparlor-shelikedtheoldEnglishword-wasusually，wellfilledatthehourofafternoontea。
TwicealreadyLucyhadcalledonMrs。Jasherafterthecommotioncausedbythecrime，asshewishedtospeaktoheraboutthesame；butoneachoccasionthewidowprovedtobeabsentinLondon。However，thethirdvisitprovedtobemorelucky，forMrs。Jasherwasathome，andexpressedherselfhappytoseethegirl。
"Sogoodofyoutocomeandseemeinmylittlewoodenhut，"saidthewidow，kissingherguest。
AndMrs。Jasher’scottagereallywasalittlewoodenhut，beingwhatwasleftofanold-fashionedfarmhouse，builtbeforethestoneage。Itlayonthevergeofthemarshesinanisolatedpositionandwasplacedinthemiddleofasquaregarden，protectedfromthewinterfloodsbyalowstonewallsolidlybuilt，butofnogreatheight。TheroadtotheFortranpastthefrontpartofthegarden，butbehindthemarshesspreadtowardstheembankment，whichcutofftheviewoftheThames。Thesituationwasnotanidealone，norwasthecottage，butmoneywasscarcewithMrs。Jasher，andshehadobtainedthewholeplaceatasurprisinglysmallrental。Thehouseandgroundsweredryenoughinsummer，butdecidedlydampinwinter。Therefore，thewidowwenttoaflatinLondon，asarule，fortheseasonoffogs。Butthiswintershehadmadeuphermind-soshetoldLucy-toremaininherownlittlecastleandbravethewateryhumorsofthemarshes。
"Icanalwayskeepfiresburningineveryroom，"saidMrs。
Jasher，whenshehadremovedherguest’shatandhadsettledherforaconfidentialtalkonthesofa。"Andafterall，mydear，thereisnoplacelikehome。"
Theroomwassmall，andMrs。Jasherwassmall，soshesuitedhersurroundingsexcellently。Also，thewidowhadthegoodtastetofurnishitsparsely，insteadofcrowdingitwithfurniture；butwhatfurnituretherewascouldnotbeimprovedupon。TherewereChippendalechairs，aLouisQuinzetable，aSheridancabinet，andasatin-wooddesk，hand-painted，whichwassaidtohavebeenthepropertyoftheunhappyMarieAntoinette。Oil-paintingsadornedtherose-tintedwalls，chieflylandscapes，althoughoneortwowereportraits。Also，therewerewater-coloredpictures，framedandsignedcaricatures，manyplatesofoldchina，andrice-paperadornmentsfromCanton。Theroomwasessentiallyfeminine，beingfilledwithIndianstuffs，withsilveroddments，withflowers，andwithothertrifles。Thewalls，thecarpet，thehangings，andtheupholsteryofthearmchairswereallofarosyhue，sothatMrs。JasherlookedasyoungasDameHoldaintheVenusberg。A
veryprettyroomandaverycharminghostess，wastheverdictoftheyounggentlemenfromtheFort，whocameheretoflirtwhentheywerenotservingtheircountry。
Mrs。Jasherinatea-rosetea-gownforafternoontea-shealwayslikedtobeinkeeping-rangforthatbeveragedeartothefeminineheart，andlightedarose-shadedlamp。Whenaglowasofdawnspreadthroughthedaintyroom，shesettledLucyonthesofanearthefire，anddrewupanarm-chairontheothersideofthehearthrug。Outsideitwascoldandfoggy，buttherose-huedcurtainsshutoutallthatwasdisagreeableintheweather，andintheabsenceofmalesociety，thetwowomentalkedmoreorlessconfidentially。LucydidnotdislikeMrs。Jasher，eventhoughshefanciedthatthelivelywidowwasplanningtobecomethemistressofthePyramids。
"Well，mydeargirl，"saidMrs。Jasher，shadingherfacefromthefirewithalargefan，"andhowisyourdearfatherafterhislateterribleexperiences？"
"Heisperfectlywell，andrathercross，"repliedLucy，smiling。
"Cross？"
"Ofcourse。Hehaslostthatwretchedmummy。"
"AndpoorSidneyBolton。"
"Oh，Idon’tthinkhecaresforpoorSidney’sdeathbeyondthefactthathemisseshisservices。Butthemummycostninehundredpounds，andfatherismuchannoyed，especiallyasPeruvianmummiesaresomewhathardtoobtain。Yousee，Mrs。
Jasher，fatherwishestoseethedifferencebetweenthePeruvianandEgyptianmodesofembalming。"
"Ugh！Howgruesome！"Mrs。Jashershuddered。"Buthasanythingbeendiscoveredlikelytoshowwhokilledthispoorlad？"
"No，thewholethingisamystery。"
Mrs。Jasherlookedintothefireoverthetopofthefan。
"Ihavereadthepapers，"shesaidslowly，"andhavegatheredwhatIcouldfromwhatthereportersexplained。ButIintendtocallontheProfessorandhearallthatevidencewhichdidnotgetintothepapers。"
"Ithinkthateverythinghasbeenmadepublic。Thepolicehavenocluetothemurderer。Whydoyouwanttoknow？"
Mrs。Jashermadeamovementofsurprise。
"Why，IamtheProfessor’sfriend，ofcourse，mydear，andnaturallyIwanttohelphimtosolvethismystery。"
"Thereisnochance，sofarasIcansee，ofiteverbeingsolved，"saidLucy。"It’sverysweetofyou，ofcourse，butwereIyouIshouldnottalkaboutittomyfather。"
"Why？"askedMrs。Jasherquickly。
"Becausehethinksofnothingelse，andbothArchieandIaretryingtogethimoffthesubject。ThemummyislostandpoorSidneyisburied。Thereisnomoretobesaid。"
"Still，ifarewardwasoffered"
"Myfatheristoopoortoofferareward，andtheGovernmentwillnotdoso。Andaspeoplewillnotworkwithoutmoney，why-"
Lucycompletedhersentencewithashrug。
"ImightofferarewardifthedearProfessorwillletme，"saidthewidowunexpectedly。
"You！ButIthoughtthatyouwerepoor，asweare。"
"Iwas，andIamnotveryrichnow。Allthesame，Ihavecomeinforsomethousandsofpounds。"
"Icongratulateyou。Alegacy？"
"Yes。YourememberhowItoldyouaboutmybrotherwhowasaPekinmerchant。Heisdead。"
"Oh，Iamsosorry。"
"Mydear，whatistheuseofbeingsorry。Inevercryoverspiltmilk，orassumeavirtuewhichIhavenot。MybrotherandIwerealmoststrangers，aswelivedapartforsomanyyears。However，hecamehometodieatBrighton，andafewweeksago-justafterthismurdertookplace，infact-Iwassummonedtohisdeath-bed。Helingeredonuntillastweekanddiedinmyarms。
Heleftmenearlyallhismoney，soIwillbeabletohelptheProfessor。"
"Idon’tseewhyyoushould，"saidLucy，wonderingwhyMrs。
Jasherdidnotwearmourningforthedead。
"Ohyes，youdosee，"remarkedthewidow，raisinghereyesandrubbingherplumphandstogether。"Iwanttomarryyourfather。"
Lucydidnotexpressastonishment，asshehadunderstoodthisforalongtime。
"Iguessedasmuch。"
"Andwhatdoyousay？"
MissKendalshruggedhershoulders。
"Ifmystep-father，"sheemphasizedtheword-"ifmystepfatherconsents，whyshouldImind？IamgoingtomarryArchie，andnodoubttheProfessorwillbelonely。"
"Thenyoudonotdisapproveofmeasamother。"
"My，dearMrs。Jasher，"saidLucy，coldly，"thereisnorelationshipbetweenmeandmystep-fatherbeyondthefactthathemarriedmymother。Thereforeyoucanneverbemymother。
WereIstoppingonatthePyramids，thatquestionmightarise，butasIbecomeMrs。Hopeinsixmonths，wecanbefriends-
nothingmore。"
"Iamquitecontentwiththat，"saidMrs。Jasherinabusinesslikeway。"Afterall，Iamnosentimentalist。ButIamgladthatyoudonotmindmymarryingtheProfessor，asIdon’twantyoutopreventthematchmydear。"
Lucylaughed。
"IassureyouthatIhavenoinfluencewithmyfather，Mrs。
Jasher。Hewillmarryyouifhethinksfitandwithoutconsultingme。But，"addedthegirlwithemphasis，"IdonotseewhatyougaininbecomingMrs。Braddock。"
"ImaybecomeLadyBraddock，"saidthewidow，dryly。Then，inanswertotheopenastonishmentonLucy’sface，shehastenedtoremark:"Doyoumeantosaythatyoudon’tknowyourfatherisheirtoabaronetcy？"
"Oh，Iknowthat，"rejoinedMissKendal。"TheProfessor’sbrother，SirDonaldBraddock，isanoldmanandunmarried。Ifhedieswithoutheirs，asitseemslikely，theProfessorwillcertainlytakethetitle。"
"Well，then，thereyouare！"criedMrs。Jasher，inherliveliesttone。"IwanttogivemylegacyforthetitleandpresideoverascientificsaloninLondon。"
"Iunderstand。ButyouwillnevergetmyfathertoliveinLondon。"
"WaituntilImarryhim，"saidthelittlewomanshrewdly。"I’llmakeamanofhim。Iknow，ofcourse，thatmummiesandsepulchralornamentsandthosesortofhorridthingsaredull，buttheProfessorwillbecomeSirJulianBraddock，andthatisenoughforme。Idon’tlovehim，ofcourse，aslovebetweentwoelderlypeopleisabsurd，butIshallmakehimagoodwife，andwithmymoneyhecantakehisproperpositioninthescientificworld，whichhedoesn’toccupyatpresent。Iwouldratherhehadbeenartistic，asscienceissodull。However，IamgettingoninyearsandwishtohavesomeamusementbeforeIdie，soImusttakewhatIcanget。Whatdoyousay？"
"Iamquiteagreeable，as，whenIleave，someonemustlookaftermyfather，elsehewillbeshamefullyrobbedbyeveryoneinhouseholdmatters。Wearegoodfriends，sowhynotyouaswellasanother。"
"Youareadeargirl，"saidMrs。Jasherwithasighofrelief，andkissedLucyfondly。"Iamsureweshallgetonexcellently。"
"Atadistance。Theartisticworlddoesn’ttouchonthescientific，youknow。Andyouforget，Mrs。Jasher，thatmyfatherwishestogotoEgypttoexplorethismysterioustomb。"
Mrs。Jashernodded。
"Yes，Ipromised，whenIcameinformybrother’smoney，tohelptheProfessortofitouthisexpedition。Butitseemstomethatthemoneywillbebetterspentinofferingarewardsothatthemummycanbefound。"
"Well，"saidLucy，laughing，"youcangivetheProfessorhischoice。"
"Beforemarriage，notafter。Heneedstobemanaged，likeallmen。"
"Youwillnotfindhimeasytomanage，"saidLucydryly。"Heisaveryobstinateman，andquitefeminineinhispersistency。"
"H’m！Irecognizethatheisadifficultcharacter，andbetweenyouandmedear，Ishouldnotmarryhimbutforthetitle。Itsoundsratherlikeanadventuresstalkinginthisway，but，afterall，ifhemakesmeLadyBraddockIcangivehimenoughmoneytolethimrealizehisdesireofgettingthemummyback。It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother。AndI’llbegoodtohim:
youneednotfear。"
"Iamquitesurethat，goodorbad，theProfessorwillhavehisownway。ItisnothishappinessIamthinkingofsomuchasyours。"
"Really。Hereisthetea。Putthetablenearthefire，Jane，betweenMissKendalandmyself。Thankyou。Themuffinsonthefender。Thankyou。No，thereisnothingmore。Closethedoorwhenyougoout。"
Theteaequippagehavingbeenarranged，Mrs。JasherpouredoutacupofSouchong，andhandedittoherguest，resumingthesubjectofherproposedmarriagemeanwhile。
"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldbeanxiousaboutme，dear。Iamquiteabletolookaftermyself。AndtheProfessorseemstobekind-heartedenough。"
"Oh，heiskind-heartedwhenhegetshisownway。Givehimhishobbyandhewillneverbotheryou。Buthewon’tliveinLondon，andhewillnotconsenttothissalonyouwishtoinstitute。"
"Whynot？Itmeansfametohim。IshallgatherroundmeallthescientistsofLondonandmakemyhouseacentreofinterest。TheProfessorcanstopinhislaboratoryifhelikes。Ashiswife，I
candoallthatisnecessary。Well，mydear"-Mrs。Jashertookacupoftea-"weneednottalkthesubjectthreadbare。Youdonotdisapproveofmymarriagewithyourstep-father，soyoucanleavetheresttome。Ifyoucangivemeahintofhowtoproceedtobringaboutthismarriage，ofcourseIamnotabovetakingit。"
Lucyglancedatthetea-gown。
"AsyouwillhavetotelltheProfessorthatyourbrotherisdeadtoaccountforpossessingthemoney，"shesaidpointedly，"I
shouldadviseyoutogointomourning。ProfessorBraddockwillbeshockedotherwise。"
"Dearme，whatatenderhearthemusthave！"saidMrs。Jasherflippantly。"Mybrotherwasverylittletome，poorman，sohecannotbeanythingtotheProfessor。However，Ishalladoptyouradvice，and，afterall，blacksuitsmeverywell。There"-shesweptherhandsacrossthetea-table-"thatissettled。Nowaboutyourself？"
"ArchieandImarryinthespringtime。"
"Andyourotheradmirer，whohascomeback？"
"SirFrankRandom？"saidLucy，coloring。
"Ofcourse。Hecalledtoseemeadayorsoago，andseemslessbroken-heartedthanheshouldbe。"
Lucynoddedandcoloredstilldeeper。
"Isupposesomeotherwomanhasconsoledhim。"
"Ofcourse。Catchamodernmanwearingthewillowforanygirl，howeverdear。Areyouangry？"
"Ohno，no。"
"Ohyes，yes，Ithink，"saidthewidow，laughing，"elseyouarenowoman，mydear。IknowIshouldbeangrytoseeamangetoverhisrejectionsorapidly。"
"Whoisshe？"askedLucyabruptly。
"DonnaInezdeGayangos。"
"ASpaniard？"
"Ibelieveso-acolonialSpaniard，atleast-fromLima。Herfather，DonPedrodeGayangos，metSirFrankinGenoabychance。"
"Well？"demandedLucyimpatiently。
Mrs。Jashershruggedherplumpshoulders。
"Well，mydear，can’tyouputtwoandtwotogether。OfcourseSirFrankfellinlovewiththisdark-huedangel。"
"Dark-hued！andIamlight-haired。Whatacompliment！"
"PerhapsSirFrankwantedachange。Heplayedonwhiteandlost，andthereforestakeshismoneyonblacktowin。That’stheresultofhavingbeenatMonteCarlo。Besides，thisyoungladyisrich，Iunderstand，andSirFrank-sohetoldme-lostmuchmoremoneyatMonteCarlothanhecouldafford。Well，youdon’tlookpleased。"
Lucyrousedherselffromafitofabstraction。
"Ohyes，Iampleased，ofcourse。Isuppose，asanywomanwould，Ifeltratherhurtforthemomentinbeingforgottensosoon。
But，afterall，Ican’tblameSirFrankforconsolinghimself。
IfIammarriedfirst，heshalldanceatmywedding:ifheismarriedfirst，Ishalldanceathis。"
"Andyoushallbothdanceatmine，"saidMrs。Jasher。"Why，thereisquiteanepidemicofmatrimony。Well，DonnaInezarrivesherewithherfatherinaday，orso。TheystopattheWarriorInn，Ibelieve。"
"Thathorridplace？"
"Oh，itiscleanandrespectable。Besides，SirFrankcanhardlyaskthemtostopintheFort，andIhavenoroominthisbandboxofmine。However，thetwoofthem-DonnaInezandFrank，Imean-cancomehereandflirt；socanyouandArchieifyoulike。"
"Ifearfourpeopleinthisroomwouldnotdo，"laughedLucy，risingtotakeherleave。"Well，IhopeSirFrankwillmarrythisladyandthatyouwillbecomeMrs。Braddock。OnlyonethingIshouldliketoknow。"
"Andthatis？"
"Whywasthemummystolen。Itwasnotvaluablesavetoascientist。"
"Bythatargumentascientistmustbethemurdererandthief，"
saidMrs。Jasher。"However，weshallsee。Meanwhile，liveeverymomentoflove’sgoldenhours:theyneverreturn。"
"Thatisgoodadvice；Ishalltakeitandmyleave，"saidLucy，anddepartedinaveryhappyframeofmind。
CHAPTERX
THEDONANDHISDAUGHTER
ProfessorBraddockwasusuallythemostmethodicalofmen，andtimedhislifebytheclockandthealmanac。Heroseatseven，summerandwinter，topartakeofaheartybreakfast，whichservedhimuntildinnercameatfivethirty。Braddockdinedatthisunusualhour-savewhentherewascompany-asbedidnoteatanyluncheonandscornedtheveryideaofafternoontea。Twomealsaday，hemaintained，wasenoughforanymanwholedasedentarylife，astoomuchfoodwasapttoclogthewheelsoftheintellect。Heusuallyworkedinhismuseum-iftheindulgenceofhishobbycouldbecalledwork-fromnineuntilfour，afterwhichhourhetookashortwalkinthegardenorthroughthevillage。Onfinishinghisdinnerhewouldglanceoversomescientificpublication，orperhaps，bywayofrecreation，playagameortwoofpatience；butatsevenheinvariablyretiredintohisownroomstorenewwork。Retirementtobedtookplaceatmidnight，soitcanbeguessedthattheProfessorgotthroughanenormousquantityofworkduringtheyear。Amoremethodicalman，oramoreindustriousmandidnotexist。
Butonoccasionseventhisenthusiastweariedofhishobby，andoftheyear’sroutine。Alongingtoseebrotherscientistsofhisownwayofthinkingwouldseizehim，andhewouldabruptlydepartforLondon，tooccupyquietlodgings，andindulgeinintercoursewithhisfellow-men。Braddockrarelygaveearlyintimationofhisurbannostalgia。AtbreakfasthewouldsuddenlyannouncethatthefittookhimtogotoLondon，andhewoulddrivetoJessumalongwithCockatootocatchtheteno’clocktraintoLondon。SometimeshesenttheKanakaback；atothertimeshewouldtakehimtotown；butwhetherCockatooremainedordeparted，themuseumwasalwayslockeduplestitshouldbeprofanedbytheservantsofthehouse。Asamatteroffact，Braddockneednothavebeenafraid，forLucy-knowingherstep-father’swhimsandviolenttemper-tookcarethatthesanctityoftheplaceshouldremaininviolate。
SometimestheProfessorcamebackinacoupleofdays；attimeshisabsencewouldextendtoaweek；andontwoorthreeoccasionsheremainedabsentforafortnight。Butwheneverhereturned，hesaidverylittleabouthisdoingstoLucy，perhapsdeemingthatdryscientificdetailswouldnotappealtoalivelyyounglady。
Assoonashewasestablishedinhismuseumagain，lifeatthePyramidswouldresumeitsusualroutine，untilBraddockagainfeltthewantofachange。Thewonderwas，consideringthenatureofhiswork，andtheclosenessofhisapplication，thathedidnotmoreoftenindulgeintheseBohemianwanderings。
Lucy，therefore，wasnotastonishedwhen，onthemorningafterhervisittoMrs。Jasher，theProfessorannouncedinhisusualabruptwaythatheintendedtogotoLondon，butwouldleaveCockatooinchargeofhispreciouscollection。Shewassomewhatdisturbed，however，as，wishingtoforwardthewidow’smatrimonialaims，shehadinvitedhertodinnerfortheensuingnight。Thisshetoldherstep-father，and，rathertohersurprise，heexpressedhimselfsorrythathecouldnotremain。
"Mrs。Jasher，"saidBraddockhastily，drinkinghiscoffee，"isaverysensiblewoman，whoknowswhentobesilent。"
"Sheisalsoagoodhousekeeper，Ibelieve，"hintedMissKendaldemurely。
"Eh，what？Well？Whydoyousaythat？"snappedBraddocksharply。
Lucyfenced。
"Mrs。Jasheradmiresyou，father。"
Braddockgrunted，butdidnotseemdispleased，sinceevenascientistpossessingtheusualvanityofthemaleisnotinaccessibletoflattery。
"DidMrs。Jashertellyouthis？"heinquired，smilingcomplacently。
"Notinsomanywords。Still，Iamawoman，andcanguesshowmuchanotherwomanleavesunsaid。"Lucypaused，thenaddedsignificantly:"Idonotthinkthatsheissoveryold，andyoumustadmitthatsheiswonderfullywellpreserved。"
"Likeamummy，"remarkedtheProfessorabsently；thenpushedbackhischairtoaddbriskly:"Whatdoesallthismean，youminx？I
knowthatthewomanisallrightsofarasawomancanbe:butherconfoundedageandherlooksandherunexpressedadmiration。
Whatarethesetoanoldmanlikemyself？"
"Father，"saidLucyearnestly，"whenImarryArchieIshall，inallprobability，leaveGartleyforLondon。"
"Iknow-Iknow。Blessme，child，doyouthinkthatIhavenotthoughtofthat？Ifyouwereonlywise，whichyouarenot，youwouldmarryRandomandremainattheFort。"
"SirFrankhasotherfishtofry，father。AndevenifIdidremainattheFortashiswife，Istillcouldnotlookafteryou。"
"Humph！Iambeginningtoseewhatyouaredrivingat。ButI
can’tforgetyourmother，mydear。Shewasagoodwifetome。"
"Still，"saidLucycoaxingly，andbecomingmoreandmorethechampionofMrs。Jasher，"youcannotmanagethislargehousebyyourself。IdonotliketoleaveyouinthehandsofservantswhenImarry。Mrs。Jasherisverydomesticatedand-"
"Andwouldmakeagoodhousekeeper。No，no，Idon’twanttogiveyouanothermother，child。"
"Thereisnodangerofthat，evenifIdidnotmarry，"rejoinedLucystiffly。"Agirlcanhaveonlyonemother。"
"Andamanapparentlycanhavetwowives，"saidBraddockwithdryhumor。"Humph！"-hepinchedhisplumpchin-"it’snotabadidea。ButofcourseIcan’tfallinloveatmyage。"
"Idon’tthinkthatMrsJasherasksforimpossibilities。"
TheProfessorrosebriskly。
"I’llthinkoverit，"saidhe。"Meanwhile，IamgoingtoLondon。"
"Whenwillyoubeback，father？"
"Ican’tsay。Don’tasksillyquestions。Idislikebeingboundtotime。Imaybeaweek，andImaybeonlyafewdays。Thingscangoonhereasusual，butifHopecomestoseeyou，askMrs。
Jasherin，toplaychaperon。"
Lucyconsentedtothissuggestion，andBraddockwentawaytoprepareforhisdeparture。Togethimoffthepremiseswaslikelaunchingaship，astheentirehouseholdwasathisswiftheels，packingboxes，strappingrugs，cuttingsandwiches，helpinghimonwithhisovercoatandassistinghimintothetrap，whichhadbeenhastilysentfortotheWarriorInn。AllthetimeBraddocktalkedandscoldedandgavedirectionsandleftinstructions，untileveryonewasquitebewildered。LucyandtheservantsallsighedwithreliefwhentheysawthetrapdisappearroundtheendoftheroadinthedirectionofJessum。Inadditiontobeingafamousarchaeologist，theProfessorwasassuredlyagreatnuisancetothosewhohadtodowithhiswhimsandfancies。
ForthenexttwoorthreedaysLucyenjoyedherselfinaquietwaywithArchie。Inspiteofthelatenessoftheseason，theweatherwasstillfine，andtheartisttooktheopportunityofthepalesunshinetosketchagreatdealofthemarshscenery。
Lucyattendedhimasarulewhenhewentabroad，andsometimesMrs。Jasher，volubleandmerry，wouldcamealongwiththemtoplaythepartofchaperon。ButthegirlnoticedthatMrs。
Jasher’smerrimentwasforcedattimes，andinthesearchingmorninglightsheappearedtobequiteold。Wrinklesshowedthemselvesonherplumpfaceandwearylinesappearedroundhermouth。Also，shewasabsent-mindedwhiletheloverschattered，and，whenspokento，wouldreturntothepresentmomentwithastart。Asthewidowwasnowwelloffasregardsmoney，andasherschemetomarryBraddockwaswellonthewaytosuccess-forLucyhaddulyreportedtheProfessor’sattitude-itwasdifficulttounderstandwhyMrs:Jashershouldlooksoworried。
OnedayLucyspoketoheronthesubject。RandomhadstrolledacrossthemarshestolookatHopesketch，andthetwomenchattedtogether，whileMissKendalledthelittlewidowtooneside。
Thereisnothingthematter，Ihope，"saidLucygently。"
"No。Whydoyousaythat？"askedMrs。Jasher，flushing。
"Youhavebeenlookingworriedforthelastfewdays。"
"Ihaveafewtroubles，"sighedthewidow-"troublesconnectedwiththeestateofmylatebrother。Thelawyersareverydisagreeableandmakeallsortsofdifficultiestoswelltheircosts。Then，strangelyenough，Iambeginningtofeelmybrother’sdeathmorethanIthoughtIshouldhavedone。YouseethatIaminmourning，dear。AfterwhatyousaidtheotherdayI
feltthatitwaswrongformenottowearmourning。OfcoursemypoorbrotherandIwerealmoststrangers。Allthesame，ashehasleftmemoneyandwasmyonlyrelative，Ithinkitrighttoshowsomegrief。Iamalonelywoman，mydear。"
"Whenmyfathercomesbackyouwillnolongerbelonely，"saidLucy。
"Ihopenot。IfeelthatIwantamantolookafterme。ItoldyouthatIdesiredtomarrytheProfessorforhispossibletitleandinordertoformasalonandhavesomeamusementandpower。
ButalsoIwantacompanionformyoldage。Thereisnodenying，"addedMrs。Jasherwithanothersigh，"thatIamgrowingoldinspiteofallthecareItake。Iamgratefulforyourfriendship，dear。AtonetimeIthoughtthatyoudidnotlikeme。"
"Oh，Ithinkwegetonverywelltogether，"saidLucysomewhatevasively，forshedidnotwanttosaythatshewouldmakethewidowanintimatefriend，"and，asyouknow，Iamquitepleasedthatyoushouldmarrymystep-father。"
"Sopleasanttothinkthatyoulookatmyambitioninthatlight，"saidMrs。Jasher，pattingthegirl’sarm。"WhendoestheProfessorreturn？"
"Icannotsay。Herefusedtofixadate。Butheusuallyremainsawayforafortnight。Iexpecthimbackinthattime，buthemaycomemuchearlier。Hewillcomebackwhenthefancytakeshim。"
"Ishallalterallthat，whenwearemarried，"mutteredMrs。
Jasherwithafrown。"Hemustbetaughttobelessselfish。"
"Ifearyouwillneverimprovehiminthatrespect，"saidLucydryly，andrejoinedthegentlemenintimetohearRandommentionthenameofDonPedrodeGayangos。
"Whatisthat，SirFrank？"sheasked。
Randomturnedtowardherwithhispleasantsmile。
"MySpanishfriend，whomImetatGenoa，iscominghereto-morrow。"
"Withhisdaughter？"questionedMrs。Jasherroguishly。
"Ofcourse，"repliedtheyoungsoldier，coloring。"DonnaInezisquitedevotedtoherfatherandneverleaveshim。"
"Shewilloneday，Iexpect，"saidHopeinnocently，forhiseyeswereonhissketchandnotonRandom’sface，"whenthehusbandofherchoicecomesalong。"
"Perhapshehascomealongalready，"titteredMrs。Jashersignificantly。
LucytookpityonRandom’sconfusion。
"Wherewilltheystay？"
"AttheWarriorInn。Ihaveengagedthebestroomsintheplace。
Ifancytheywillbecomfortablethere，asMrs。Humber，thelandlady，isagoodhousekeeperandanexcellentcook。AndI
don’tthinkDonPedroishardtoplease。"
"ASpaniard，"yousay，"remarkedArchieidly。"DoeshespeakEnglish？"
"Admirably-sodoesthedaughter。"
"ButwhydoesaSpaniardcometosoout-of-the-wayaplace？"
askedMrs。Jasher，afterapause。
"IthoughtItoldyoutheotherday，whenwespokeofthematter，"answeredSirFrankwithsurprise。"DonPedrohascomeheretointerviewProfessorBraddockaboutthatmissingmummy。"
Hopelookedupsharply。
"Whatdoesheknowaboutthemummy？"
"NothingsofarasIknow，savethathecametoEuropewiththeintentionofpurchasingit，andfoundhimselfforestalledbyProfessorBraddock。DonPedrotoldmenomorethanthat。"
"Humph！"murmuredHopetohimself。"DonPedrowillbedisappointedwhenhelearnsthatthemummyismissing。"
Randomdidnotcatchthewordsandwasabouttoaskhimwhathehadsaid，whentwotallfigures，conductedbyashorterone，wereseenmovingonthewhiteroadwhichledtotheFort。
"Strangers！"saidMrs。Jasher，puttingupherlorgnette，whichsheusedforeffect，althoughshehadremarkablykeensight。
"Howdoyouknow？"askedLucycarelessly。
"Mydear，lookhowoddlythemanisdressed。"
"Ican’ttellatthisdistance，"saidLucy，"andifyoucan，Mrs。
JasherIreallydonotseewhyyourequireglasses。"
Mrs。Jasherlaughedatthecomplimenttohersight，andcoloredthroughherrougeatthereprooftohervanity。Meanwhile，thesmallerfigure，whichwasthatofavillageladleadingatallgentlemanandaslenderlady，pointedtowardthegrouproundHope’seasel。Shortly，theboyranbackuptothevillageroad，andthegentlemancamealongthepathwaywiththelady。Random，whohadbeenlookingofthemintently，suddenlystarted，havingatlengthrecognizedthem。
"DonPedroandhisdaughter，"hesaidinanastonishedvoice，andsprangforwardtowelcometheunexpectedvisitors。
"Now，mydear，"whisperedthewidowinLucy’sear，"weshallseethekindofwomanSirFrankpreferstoyou。"
"Well，asSirFrankhasseenthekindofmanIprefertohim，"
retortedLucy，"thatmakesusquiteequal。"
"Iamgladthesenew-comerstalkEnglish，"saidHope，whohadrisentohisfeet。"IknownothingofSpanish。"
"TheyarenotSpanish，butPeruvian，"saidMrs。Jasher。
"Thelanguageisthesame，moreorless。Confoundit！hereisRandombringingthemhere。IwishhewouldtakethemtotheFort。There’snomoreworkforthenexthour，Isuppose，"andHope，ratherannoyed，begantopackhisartistictraps。
Onanearerview，DonPedroprovedtobeatall，lean，dryman，notunlikeDore’sconceptionofDonQuixote。HemusthavehadIndianbloodinhisveins，judgingfromhisverydarkeyes，hisstiff，lankhair，wornsomewhatlong，andhishighcheek-bones。
Also，althoughhewasarrayedinpuritanicblack，hisbarbaricloveofcolorbetrayeditselfinaredtieandinascarlethandkerchiefwhichwastwistedlooselyroundasoftslouchhat，ItwasthehatandthebrilliantredoftieandhandkerchiefwhichhadcaughtMrs。Jasher’seyeatsogreatadistance，andwhichhadledhertopronouncethemanastranger，forMrs。
JasherwellknewthatnoEnglishmanwouldaffectsuchvividtints。Allthesame，inspiteofthiseccentricity，DonPedrolookedathoroughCastiliangentleman，andbowedgravelywhenpresentedtotheladiesbyRandom。
"Mrs。Jasher，MissKendal，permitmetopresentDonPedrodeGayangos。"
"Iamcharmed，"saidthePeruvian，bowing，hatinhand，"andinturn，allowme，ladies，tointroducemydaughter，DonnaInezdeGayangos。"
ArchiewasalsopresentedtotheDonandtotheyounglady，afterwhichLucyandMrs。Jasher，whilenotappearingtolook，madeathoroughexaminationoftheladywithwhomRandomwasinlove。
NodoubtDonnaInezwasmakinganexaminationonherownaccount，andwiththeclevernessofthesexthethreewomen，whilechattingaffably，learnedallthattherewastobelearnedfromtheoutwardappearanceofeachotherinthreeminutes。MissKendalcouldnotdenybutwhatDonnaInezwasverybeautiful，andfranklyadmitted-inwardly，ofcourse-herowninferiority。
Shewasmerelypretty，whereasthePeruvianladywastrulyhandsomeandquitemajesticinappearance。
YetaboutDonnaIneztherewasthesameindefinitebarbariclookascharacterizedherfather。Herfacewaslovely，darkandproudinexpression，buttherewasanaloofnessaboutitwhichpuzzledtheEnglishgirl。DonnaInezmighthavebelongedtoaracepopulatinganotherplanetofthesolarsystem。Shehadlargeblack，meltingeyes，astraightGreeknoseandperfectmouth，awell-roundedchinandmagnificenthair，darkandglossyasthewingoftheraven，whichwasarrangedinthelatestParisianstyleofcoiffure。Also，hergown-asthetwowomenguessedinaninstant-wasfromParis。Shewasperfectlyglovedandbooted，andevenifshebetrayedsomehowabarbarictasteforcolorinthedullruddyhueofherdress，whichwassubduedwithblackbraid，yetshelookedquiteawell-bredwoman。Allthesame，herwholeappearancegaveanobservantonlookertheideathatshewouldbemoreathomeinascantyrobeandglitteringwithrudelywroughtornamentsofgold。PerhapsPeru，whereshecamefrom，suggestedthecomparison，butLucy’sthoughtsflewbacktoanaccountoftheVirginsoftheSun，whichtheProfessorhadoncedescribed。Itoccurredtoher，perhapswrongly，thatinDonnaInezshebeheldonewhoinformerdayswouldhavebeenthebrideofsomegorgeousInca。
"IfearyouwillfindEnglanddullafterthesunshineofLima，"
saidLucy，havingendedaswiftexamination。
DonnaInezshiveredatrifleandglancedaroundatthegraymistyairthroughwhichthepalesunshinestruggledwithdifficulty。
"Icertainlypreferthetropicstothis，"shesaidinmusicalEnglish，"butmyfatherhascomedownhereonbusiness，anduntilitisconcludedweshallremaininthisplace。"
"Thenwemustmakethingsasbrightaspossibleforyou，"saidMrs。Jashercheerfully，anddesperatelyanxioustolearnmoreofthenew-comers。"Youmustcometoseeme，DonnaInez-yonderismycottage。"
"Thankyou，madame:youareverygood。"
MeanwhileDonPedrowastalkingtothetwoyoungmen。
"Yes，IdidarrivehereearlierthanIexpected，"hewasremarking，"butIhavetoreturntoLimashortly，andIwishtogetmybusinesswithProfessorBraddockfinishedasspeedilyaspossible。"
"Iamsorry，"saidLucypolitely，"butmyfatherisabsent。"
"Andwhenwillhereturn，MissKendal？"
"Icanscarcelysay-inaweekorafortnight。"
DonPedromadeagestureofannoyance。
"Itisapity，asIamsoverypressedfortime。Still，ImustremainuntiltheProfessorreturns。Iamsoanxioustohearifthemummyhasbeenfound。"
"Itisnotfoundyet，"saidHopequickly，"andneverwillbe。"
DonPedrolookedathimquietly。
"Itmustbefound，"saidhe。"IhavecomeallthewayfromLimatoobtainit。WhenyouhearmystoryyouwillnotbesurprisedatmydesiretoregaintheMummy。"
"Regainit？"echoedHopeandRandominonebreath。
DonPedronodded。
"Themummywasstolenfrommyfather，"hesaid。
CHAPTERXI
THEMANUSCRIPT
Itwascertainlystrangehowconstantlythesubjectofthemissingmummycameuppermost。SinceithaddisappearedandsincethemanwhohadbroughtittoEnglandwasdead，itmighthavebeenthoughtthatnothingmorewouldbesaidaboutthematter。
ButProfessorBraddockharpedincessantlyonhisloss-whichwasperhapsnatural-andWidowAnnealsotalkedagreatdealastothepossibilityofthemummy，beingfound，asshehopedtolearnbythatmeansthenameoftheassassinwhohadstrangledherpoorboy。NowDonPedrodeGayangosappearedwiththestrangeinformationthattheweirdrelicofPeruviancivilizationhadbeenstolenfromhisfather。Apparentlyfatewasnotinclinedtoletthematterofthelostmummydrop，andwasworkingroundtoadenouement，whichwouldpossiblyincludethesolutionofthemysteryofSidneyBolton’sdeath。Yet，onthefaceofit，thereappearedtobenochanceofthetruthbecomingknown。
Ofcourse，whenDonPedroannouncedthattheMummyhadformerlybelongedtohisfather，everyonewasanxioustohearhowithadbeenstolen。TheGayangosfamilywereestablishedinLima，andtheembalmedbodyofIncaCaxashadbeenpurchasedfromagentlemanresidinginMalta。How，then，haditcrossedthewater，andhowhadDonPedrolearneditswhereabouts，onlytoarrivetoolatetosecurehismissingproperty？Mrs。Jasherwasespeciallyanxioustolearnthesethings，andexplainedherreasonstoLucy。
"Yousee，mydear，"shesaidtothegirlonthedayafterDonPedro’sarrivalinGartley，"ifwelearnthepastofthathorridmummy，wemaygainacluetothepersonwhodesiredpossessionofthenastything，andsomayhuntdownthisterriblecriminal。
Onceheisfound，themummymaybesecuredagain，andshouldIbeabletoreturnittoyourfather，outofgratitudehewouldcertainlymarryme。"
"Youseemtothinkthattheassassinisaman，"saidLucydryly；
"yetyouforgetthatthepersonwhotalkedtoSidneythroughthewindowoftheSailor’sRestwasawoman。"
"Anoldwoman，"emphasizedMrs。Jasherbriskly:"quiteso。"
Lucycontradicted。
"ElizaFlightdidnotsayifthewomanwasoldoryoung，butmerelystatedthatsheworeadarkdressandadarkshawloverherhead。Still，thismysteriouswomanwasconnectedinsomewaywiththemurder，elseshewouldnothavebeenspeakingtoSidney。"
"Idon’tfollowyou，mydear。YoutalkasthoughpoorMr。Boltonexpectedtobemurdered。Formypart，Iholdbytheverdictofwilfulmurderagainstsomepersonorpersonsunknown。Thetruthistobefound，ifanywhere，inthepastofthemummy。"
"Wecandiscovernothingaboutthat。"
"YouforgetwhatDonPedrosaid，mydear，"remarkedMrs。Jasherhastily，"thatthemummyhadbeenstolenfromhisfather。Letushearwhathehastosayandwemayfindaclue。IamanxiousthattheProfessorshouldregainthegreenmummyforreasonswhichyouknowof。Andnow，myhear，canyoucometodinnerto-night？"
"Well，Idon’tknow。"MissKendalhesitated。"Archiesaidthathewouldlookinthisevening。"
"IshallaskMr。Hopealso，mylove。DonPedroiscomingandhisdaughterlikewise。NeedlesstosaySirFrankwillfollowtheyounglady。Weshallbeapartyofsix，andafterdinnerwemustinduceDonPedrotorelatethestoryofhowthemummywasstolen。"
"Hemaynotbeinclined。"
"Oh，Ithinkso，"replied；Mrs。Jasherquickly。"Hewantstogetthemummybackagain，andifwediscussthesubjectwemayseesomechanceofsecuringit。"
"ButDonPedrowillnotwishittoberestoredtomyfather。"
Mrs。Jashershruggedherplumpshoulders。
"YourfatherandDonPedrocanarrangethatthemselves。AllI
desireis，thatthemummyshouldbefound。UndoubtedlyitbelongsbypurchasetotheProfessor，butasithasbeenstolen，thisPeruviangentlemanmayclaimit。Well？"
"IshallcomeandArchiealso，"assentedLucy，whowasbeginningtobeinterestedinthematter。"Theaffairissomewhatromantic。"
"Criminal，mydear，criminal，"saidMrs。Jasher，risingtotakeherleave。"ItisnotamatterIcaretomixmyselfupwith。
Still"-shelaughed-"youknow，whyIamdoingso。"
"IfIhadtotakeallthistroubletogainahusband，"observedLucysomewhatacidly，"Ishouldremainsingleallmylife。"
"IfyouwereaslonelyasIam，"retortedtheplumpwidow，"youwoulddoyourbesttosecureamantoylookafteryou。Ishouldpreferayoungandhandsomerhusband-suchasSirFrankRandom，forinstancebut，asbeggarscannotbechoosers，Imustcontentmyselfwitholdage，afamousscientist，andthechanceofapossibletitle。Nowmind，dear，to-nightatseven-notaminutelater，"andshebustledawaytoprepareforthereceptionofherguests。
ItseemedtoLucythatMrs。JasherwastakingagreatdealoftroubletobecomeMrs。Braddock，especiallyastheProfessor’sbrothermightliveformanyalongdayyet，inwhichcasethewidowwouldnotgainthetitleshecovetedforyears。However，thegirlrathersympathizedwithMrs。Jasher，whowasacompanionablesoul，andfondofsociety。Circumstancescondemnedhertoasomewhatlonelylifeinanisolatedcottageinaratherdullneighborhood，soitwaslittletobewonderedatthatsheshouldstrivetomoveheavenandearth-asshewasdoing-inthehopeofescapingfromhersolitude。Besides，althoughMissKendaldidnotwishtomakeaclosecompanionofthewidow，yetshedidnotdislikeher，and，moreover，thoughtthatshewouldmakeProfessorBraddockaverypresentablewife。Thinkingthus，LucywasquitewillingtoforwardMrs。Jasher’splansbyinducingDonPedrototellallheknewaboutthismissingmummy。
ThusitcameaboutthatsixpeopleassembledinthetinypinkparlorofMrs。Jasheratthehourofseveno’clock。Itrequireddexterousmanagementtoseatthewholecompanyinthediningroom，whichwasonlyatriflelargerthantheparlor。However，Mrs。Jashercontrivedtoplacethemroundherhospitableboardin，afairlycomfortablefashion，and，onceseated，thedinnerwassogoodthatnoonefeltthedrawbacksofscantyelbowroom。
Thewidow，ashostess，wasplacedattheheadofthetable；DonPedro，astheeldestofthemen，atthefoot；andSirFrank，withDonnaInez，facedArchieandLucyKendal。Jane，whowaswellinstructedinwaitingbyhermistress，attendedtoherdutiesadmirably，actingbothasfootmanandbutler。Lucy，indeed，hadofferedMrs。JashertheservicesofCockatootohandroundthewine，butthewidowwithaprettyshudderhaddeclined。
"Thatdreadfulcreaturewithhisyellowmopofhairgivesmetheshivers，"shedeclared。
Consideringtheisolationofthedistrict，andthenarrowlimitsofMrs。Jasher’sincome，themealwastruly，admirable，beingwellcookedandwellserved，whilethetablewasarrayedlikeanaltarforthereceptionofthevariousdishes。WhateverMrs。
Jashermightbeasanadventuress，shecertainlyprovedherselftobeacapitalhousekeeper，andLucyforesawthat，ifshedidbecomeMrs。Braddock，theProfessorwouldfaresumptuously，fortherestofhisscientificlife。Whenthemealwasendedthewidowproducedaboxofsuperfinecigarsandanotherofcigarettes，afterwhichsheleftthegentlementosiptheirwine，andtookhertwoyoungfriendstochatterchiffonsinthetinyparlor。AnditsaidmuchforMrs。Jasher’smethodicalwaysthat，consideringthelimitedspace，everythingwent-asthesayinggoes-likeclockwork。Likewise，thewidowhadprovedherselfawonderfulhostess，asshekepttheballofconversationrollingbrisklyandinducedaspiritoffraternity，uncommoninanordinarydinnerparty。
DuringthemealMrs。Jasherhadkeptoffthesubjectofthemummy，whichwastheexcusefortheentertainment；butwhenthegentlemenstrolledintotheparlor，feelingwellfedandhappy，shehintedatDonPedro’squest。AsthenightwascoldandthePeruviangentlemancamefromthetropics，hewasestablishedinawellpaddedarm-chairclosetothesea-coalfire，andwithherownfairhandsMrs。Jashergavehimacupoffragrantcoffee，whichwasrenderedstillmoreagreeabletothepalatebytheintroductionofavanillabean。Withthisandwithagoodcigar-fortheladiesgavethegentlemenpermissiontosmoke-DonPedrofeltveryhappyandeasy，andcomplimentedMrs。Jasherwarmlyonhercapabilityofmakingherfellow-creaturescomfortable。
"Itisaltogethercomfortable，madame，"saidDonPedro，risingtomakeacourtlybow。Infact，soagreeablewastheforeignerthatMrs。Jasherdreamedforoneswiftmomentofthrowingoverthedry-as-dustscientisttobecomeaSpanishladyofLima。
"Youflatterme，DonPedro，"shesaid，wavingawhollyunnecessaryfanoutofcomplimenttoherguest’sSpanishextraction。"Indeed，Iamverygladthatyouarepleasedwithmypoorlittlehouse。"
"Pardon，madame，butnohousecanbepoorwhenitisacaskettocontainsuchajewel。"
"There！"saidLucysomewhatsatiricallytotheyoungmen，whileMrs。Jasherblushedandbridled，"whatEnglishmancouldturnsuchacompliment？ItremindsoneofGeorgiantimes。"
"Wearemoresobernowthanmyfatherswerethen，"saidHope，smiling，"andIamsureifRandomthoughtforafewminuteshecouldproducesomethingpretty。Goon，Random。"
"Mybrainisnotequaltothestrainafterdinner，"saidSirFrank。
AsforDonnaInez，shedidnotspeak，butsatsmilingquietlyinhercorneroftheroom，lookingremarkablyhandsome。AsayounggirlLucywaspretty，andMrs。Jasherwasacomelywidow，butneitheronehadthemajesticlooksoftheSpanishlady。Shesmiled，averitablequeenamidstthegim-crackornamentsofMrs。
Jasher’sparlor，andSirFrank，whowasfathomsdeepinlove，couldnotkeephiseyesoffherface。
Forafewminutestheconversationwasfrivolous，quitetheShakespeareandmusicalglasseskindofspeech。ThenMrs。
Jasher，whohadnoideathathergooddinnershouldbewastedincharmingnothings，introducedthesubjectofthemummybyareferencetoProfessorBraddock。ItwascharacteristicofherclevernessthatshedidnotaddressDonPedro，butpointedherspeechatLucyKendal。
"Idohopeyourfatherwillreturnwiththatmummy，"sheobserved，afteradexterousallusiontothelatetragedy。
"Idon’tthinkhehasgonetolookforit，"repliedMissKendalindifferently。
"Butsurelyhedesiredtogetitback，afterpayingnearlyonethousandpoundsforit，"saidMrs。Jasher，withwell-feignedastonishment。
"Oh，ofcourse；buthewouldscarcelylookforitinLondon。"
"HasProfessorBraddockgonetosearchforthe，mummy？"askedDonPedro。
"No，"answeredLucy。"HeisvisitingtheBritishMuseumtomakesomeresearchesintheEgyptiandepartment。"
"Whendoyouexpecthimback，please？"
Lucyshruggedhershoulders。
"Ican’tsay，DonPedro。Myfathercomesandgoesasthewhimtakeshim。"
TheSpanishgentlemanlookedthoughtfullyintotheire。
"IshallbegladtoseetheProfessorwhenhereturns，"hesaidinhisexcellent，slow-soundingEnglish。"Myconcernaboutthismummyisdeep。"
"Dearme，"remarkedMrs。Jasher，shieldingherfaircheekwiththeunnecessaryfan，andventuringonajoke，"isthemummyarelative？"
"Yes，madame，"repliedDonPedro，gravelyandunexpectedly。
Atthiseveryone，verynaturally，lookedastonished-thatis，allsaveDonnaInez，whostillpreservedherfixedsmile。Mrs。
Jashertookamentalnoteofthesame，anddecidedthattheyoungladywasnotveryintelligent。MeanwhileDonPedrocontinuedhisspeechafteraglanceroundthecircle。
"IhavethebloodoftheroyalIncaraceinmyveins，"hesaidwithpride。
"Ha！"murmuredthewidowtoherself，"thenthataccountsforyourloveofcolor，whichissoun-English；"thensheraisedhervoice。"Tellusallaboutit，DonPedro，"sheentreated；"weareusuallysodullherethataromanticstoryexcitesusdreadfully。"
"Idonotknowthatitisveryromantic，"saidDonPedrowithapolitesmile，"andifyouwillnotfinditdull-"
"Oh，no！"saidArchie，whowasasanxiousasMrs。Jashertohearwhatwastobesaidaboutthemummy。"Come，sir，weareallattention。"
DonPedrobowedagain，andagainsweptthecirclewithhisdeep-seteyes。
"TheIncaCaxas，"heremarked，"wasoneofthedecadentrulersofancientPeru。AttheConquestbytheSpaniards，IncaAtahuallpawasmurderedbyPizarro，asyouprobablyknow。IncaToparcasucceededhimasapuppetking。Hediedalso，anditwassuspectedthathewasslainbyanativechiefcalledChallcuchima。ThenMancosucceeded，andislookeduponbyhistoriansasthelastIncaofPeru。Buthewasnot。"
"Thisisnews，indeed，"saidRandomlazily。"AndwhowasthelastInca？"
"Themanwhoisnowthegreenmummy。"
"IncaCaxas，"venturedLucytimidly。
DonPedrolookedathersharply。"Howdoyoucometoknowthename？"
"Youmentioneditjustnow，but，beforethat，Iheardmyfathermentionit，"saidLucy，whowassurprisedatthesharpnessofhistone。
"AndwheredidtheProfessorlearnthename？"askedDonPedroanxiously。
Lucyshookherhead。
"Icannotsay。Butgoonwiththestory，"shecontinued，withthenaivecuriosityofachild。
"Yes，do，"pleadedMrs。Jasher，whowaslisteningwith，allherears。
ThePeruvianmeditatedforafewminutes，thenslippedhishandintothepocketofhiscoatandbroughtoutadiscoloredparchment，scrawledandscribbledwithodd-lookinglettersinpurpleinksomewhatfaded。
"Didyoueverseethisbefore？"heaskedLucy，"oranymanuscriptlikeit？"
"No，"sheanswered，bendingforwardtoexaminetheparchmentcarefully。
DonPedroagainsweptaninquiringeyeroundthecircle，buteveryonedeniedhavingseenthemanuscript。
"Whatisit？"askedSirFrankcuriously。
DonPedrorestoredthemanuscripttohispocket。
"ItisanaccountoftheembalmingofIncaCaxas，writtenbyhisson，whowasmyancestor。"
"ThenyouaredescendedfromthisInca？"saidMrs，Jashereagerly。
"Iam。HadImyrightsIshouldrulePeru。Asitis，Iamapoorgentlemanwithverylittlemoney。"That，"addedDonPedrowithemphasis，"iswhyIwishtorecoverthemummyofmygreatancestor。"
"Isitthensovaluable？"askedArchiesuddenly。Hewasthinkingofsomereasonwhythemummyshouldhavebeenstolen。
"Well，initselfitisofnogreatvalue，savetoanarchaeologist，"wasDonPedro’sreply；"butIhadbettertellyouthestoryofhowitwasstolenfrommy，father。"
"Goon，goon，"criedMrs。Jasher。"Thisismostinteresting。"
DonPedroplungedintohisstorywithoutfurtherpreamble。
"IncaCaxasheldhisstateamidstthesolitudesoftheAndes，awayfromthecruelmenwhohadconqueredhiscountry。Hediedandwasburied。Thismanuscript，"-hetouchedhispocket-"waswrittenbyhisson，anddetailstheceremonies，theplaceofsepulchre，andalsogivesalistofthejewelswithwhichthemummywasburied。"
"Jewels，"murmuredHopeunderhisbreath。"Ithoughtasmuch。"
"ThesonofIncaCaxasmarriedaSpanishladyandmadepeacewiththeSpaniards。HecametoliveatCuzco，andbroughtwithhim，forsomepurposewhichthemanuscriptdoesnotdisclose，themummyofhisfather。Butthemanuscriptwaslostforyears，andalthoughmyfamily-theDeGayangoses-becamepoor，nomemberofitknewthat，concealedinthecorpseofIncaCaxas，weretwolargeemeraldsofimmensevalue。Themummyofourroyalancestorwastreatedasasacredthingandveneratedaccordingly。
AfterwardsmyfamilycametoliveatLima，andIstilldwellintheoldhouse。"
"Buthowwasthemummystolenfromyou？"askedRandomcuriously。
"Iamcomingtothat，"saidDonPedro，frowningattheinterruption。"IwasnotinLimaatthetime；butIhadmetthemanwhostolethepreciousmummy。"
"WasheaSpaniard？"
"No，"answeredDonPedroslowly，"hewasanEnglishsailorcalledVasa。"
"VasaisaSwedishname，"observedHopecritically。
"ThismansaidthathewasEnglish，andcertainlyspokelikeanEnglishman，sofarasI，aforeigner，cantell。Atthattime，whenIwasayoungman，civilwarragedinPeru。Myfather’shousewassacked，andthisVasa，whohadbeenreceivedhospitablybymyfatherwhenhewasshipwreckedatCallao，stolethemummy，ofIncaCaxas。Myfatherdiedofgriefandchargedmetogetthemummyback。WhenpeacewasrestoredtomyunhappycountryI
triedtorecovertheveneratedbodyofmyancestor。Butallsearchprovedvain，asVasahaddisappeared，anditwassupposedthat，forsomereason，hehadtakentheembalmedbodyoutofthecountry。ItwaswhenthemummywaslostthatIunexpectedlycameacrossthemanuscript，whichdetailedthefuneralceremoniesofIncaCaxas，andonlearningaboutthetwoemeraldsIwasnaturallymoreanxiousthanevertodiscoverthemummyandretrievemyfallenfortunesbymeansofthejewels。But，asI
said，allsearchprovedvain，andIafterwardmarried，thinkingtosettledownonwhatfortuneremainedtome。IdidlivequietlyinLimaforyearsuntilmywifedied。ThenwithmydaughterIcametoEuropeonavisit。"
"Tosearchforthemummy？"questionedArchieeagerly。
"No，sir。Ihadgivenupallhopeoffindingthat。Butchanceplacedaclueinmyhands。AtGenoaIcameacrossanewspaper，whichstatedthatamummyinagreencase-andaPeruvianmummyatthat-wasforsaleatMalta。Iimmediatelymadeinquiries，thinkingthatthiswasthelong-lostbodyofIncaCaxas。ButitsohappenedthatIwastoolate，asalreadythemummyhadbeensoldtoProfessorBraddock，andhadbeentakentoEnglandonboardTheDiverbyMr。Bolton。Chance，whichhadpointedoutthewhereaboutsofthemummy，alsobroughtmeatGenoaintorelationswithSirFrankRandom"-DonPedrobowedhisheadtothebaronet-"and，asitappearedthatheknewProfessorBraddock，I
thankfullyacceptedhisoffertointroduceme。HenceIamhere，butonlytohearthatthemummyisagainlost。Thatisall，"andthePeruviangentlemandramaticallywavedhisarm。
"Astrangestory，"saidArchie，whowasthefirsttospeak，"anditcertainlysolvesatleastonepartofthemystery。"
"Whatisthat？"demandedMrs。Jasherquickly。
"Itshowsthatthemummywasstolenonaccountoftheemeralds。"
"Pardonme，butthatisimpossible，sir，"saidDonPedro，drawinguphisleanfigure。"Noonebutmyselfknewthatthemummyheldtwoemeraldsinitsdeadhands，andIlearnedthatonlyafewyearsagofromthemanuscriptwhichIhadthehonorofshowingyou。"
"Thereisthatobjectionassuredly，"repliedHopewithcomposure。
"YetIcanhardlybelievethatanymanwouldriskhisnecktostealsoremarkableamummy，whichhewouldhaveadifficultyindisposingof。Butdidthisassassinknowoftheemeralds，hewouldventuremuchtogainthem，sincejewelscanbedisposedofwithcomparativeease，andcannoteasilybetraced。"
"Allthesame，"saidRandom，lookingup，"Idonotseehowtheassassincouldhavelearnedthatthejewelswerewrappedinthebandages。"
"Humph！"saidHope，glancingatDeGayangos，"perhapsthereismorethanonecopyofthismanuscriptyouspeakof。"
"Nottomyknowledge。"
"ThesailorVasamighthavecopiedit。"
"No。"DonPedroshookhishead。"ItiswritteninLatin，sinceaSpanishpriesttaughtthesonofIncaCaxas，whowroteit，thatlanguage。IdonotthinkthatVasaknewLatin。Also，ifVasahadcopiedthemanuscript，hewouldhavestrippedthemummytoprocurethejewels。Now，inthenewspaperadvertisementitstatedthatthebandagesofthemummywereintact，asalsowastheverdantcase。"No，"saidDonPedrodecisively，"IamquiteofopinionthatVasa，andindeedeveryoneelse，wasignorantofthismanuscript。"
"Itseemstome，"suggestedMrs。Jasher，"thatitwouldbebesttofindthissailor。"
"That，"remarkedDeGayangos，"isimpossible。Itistwentyyearssincehedisappearedwiththemummy。LetusdropthesubjectuntilProfessorBraddockreturnstodiscussitwithme。"Andthiswasaccordinglydone。