第4章

CHAPTERXII

ADISCOVERY

Threedayswentby，andProfessorBraddockstillremainedabsentinLondon，althoughanoccasionallettertoLucyrequestedsuchandsuchanarticlefromthemuseumtobeforwarded，sometimesbypostandonotheroccasionsbyCockatoo，whotraveleduptotownespecially。TheKanakaalwaysreturnedwiththenewsthathismasterwaslookingwell，butbroughtnowordoftheProfessor’sreturn。Lucywasnotsurprised，assheWasaccustomedtoBraddock’svagaries。

MeanwhileDonPedro，comfortablyestablishedattheWarriorInn，wanderedaboutGartleyinhisdignifiedway，takingverylittleinterestinthevillage，butagreatdealinthePyramids。AstheProfessorwasabsent，Lucycouldnotaskhimtodinner，butshedidinvitehimandDonnaIneztoafternoontea。DonPedrowasanxioustopeepintothemuseum，butCockatooabsolutelyrefusedtolethimenter，sayingthathismasterhadforbiddenanyonetoviewthecollectionduringhisabsence。AndinthisrefusalCockatoowassupportedbyMissKendal，whohadawholesomedreadofherstep-father’srage，shouldhereturnandfindthatastrangerhadbeenmakingfreeofhissacredapartments。ThePeruviangentlemanexpressedhimselfextremelydisappointed，somuchso，indeed，thatLucyfanciedhebelievedBraddockhadthegreenmummyhiddeninthemuseum，inspiteofthereportedlossfromtheSailor’sRest。

FailingtogetpermissiontorangethroughtheroomsofthePyramids，DonPedropaidoccasionalvisitstoPiersideandquestionedthepoliceregardingtheBoltonmurder。FromInspectorDatehelearnednothingofanyimportance，andindeedthatofficerexpressedhisbeliefthatnotuntiltheDayofjudgmentwouldthetruthbecomeknown。ItthenoccurredtoDeGayangostoexploretheneighborhoodoftheSailor’sRest，andtoexaminethatpublic-househimself。Hesawthefamouswindowthroughwhichthemysteriouswomanhadtalkedtothedeceased，andnotedthatitlookedacrossastony，narrowpathtothewater’sedge，wherefromaruggedjettyranoutintothestreamforsomelittledistance。Nothingwouldhavebeeneasier，reflectedDonPedro，thanfortheassassintoenterbythewindow，and，havingaccomplishedhisdeed，toleaveinthesameway，bearingthecasecontainingthemummy。Afewstepswouldcarrythemanandhisburdentoawaitingboat，andoncethecraftslippedintothemistsontheriver，alltracewouldbelost，ashadtrulyhappened。InthiswaythePeruviangentlemanbelievedthemurderandthethefthadbeenaccomplished，butevensupposingthingshadhappenedashesurmised，still，hewasasfaraseverfromunravelingthemystery。

WhileDonPedrosearchedforhisroyalancestor’scorpse，andincidentallyforthethiefandmurderer，hisdaughterwasbeingwooedbySirFrankRandom。Heavenonlyknowswhathesawinher-asLucyobservedtoyoungHope-forthegirlhadnotawordtosayforherself。Shewasundeniablyhandsome，anddressedwithgreattaste，saveforstrayhintsofbarbaricdelightincolor，doubtlessinheritedfromherIncaancestors。Allthesame，sheappearedtobedevoidofsmalltalkorgreattalk，oranytalkwhatsoever。Shesatandsmiledandlookedlikeahandsomepicture，butafterherappearancehadsatisfiedtheeye，sheleftmuchtobedesired。YetSirFrankapprovedofherstatelyquietness，andseemedanxioustomakeherhiswife。Lucy，inspiteofthefactthathehadsospeedilygotoverherrefusaltomarryhim，wasanxiousthatheshouldbehappywithDonnaInez，whomheappearedtolove，andaffordedhimeveryopportunityofmeetingthelady，sothathemightprosecutehiswooing。Allthesame，shewonderedthatheshoulddesiretomarryaniceberg，andDonnaInez，withhersilenttongueandcoldsmiles，waslittleelse。However，asFrankRandomwasthechiefpartyconcernedinthelove-making-forDonnaInezwasmerelypassive-therewasnomoretobesaid。

SometimesHopecametodineatthePyramids，andontheseoccasionsMrs。Jasherwaspresentinhercharacterofchaperon。

AsMissKendalwashelpingthewidowtomarryProfessorBraddock，sheinherturndidherbesttospeedArchie’swooing。Certainlytheyoungcouplewereengagedandtherewasnounderstandingtobebroughtabout。Nevertheless，Mrs。Jasherwasausefularticleoffurnituretobeintheroomwhentheyweretogether，forGartley，likeallEnglishvillages，wasfilledwithscandalmongers，whowouldhavetalked，hadHopeandLucynotemployedMrs，Jasherasgooseberry。SometimesDonnaInezcamewiththewidow，whileherfatherwashuntingforthemummyinPierside，andthenSirFrankRandomwouldbesuretoputinanappearancetowoohisDulcineainadmiringsilence。Mrs。Jasherdeclaredthatthetwomusthavemadelovebytelepathy，fortheyrarelyexchangedaword。Butthiswasallthebetter，asArchieandLucychatteredagreatdeal，andtwopairofmagpies-Mrs。

Jasherdeclared-wouldhavebeentoomuchforhernerves。Shemadeaverygoodchaperon，assheallowedtheyoungpeopletoactastheypleased，onlysanctioningthemeetingsbyherelderlypresence。

OneeveningMrs。Jasherwasduetodinner，andHopehadalreadyarrived。Nooneelsewasexpected，asDonPedrohadtakenhisdaughtertothetheatreatPiersideandSirFrankhadgonetoLondoninconnectionwithhismilitaryduties。Itwasabitterlycoldnight，andalreadyafallofsnowhadhintedthattherewastobearealEnglishChristmasofthegenuinekind。Lucyhadpreparedanexcellentdinnerforthree，andArchiehadbroughtasetofnewpatiencecardsforMrs。Jasher，whowasfondofthegame。Whilethewidowplayed，thelovershopedtomakeloveundisturbed，andlookedforwardtoahappyevening。Buttherewasonedrawback，foralthoughthedinnerhourwassupposedtobeeighto’clock，anditwasnowthirtyminutespast，Mrs。Jasherhadnotarrived。Lucywasdismayed。

"Whatcanbekeepingher？"sheaskedArchie，towhichthatyounggentlemanrepliedthathedidnotknow，and，whatwasmore，hedidnotcare。MissKendalveryproperlyrebukedthissentiment。

"Yououghttocare，Archie，foryouknowthatifMrs。Jasherdoesnotcometodinner，youwillhavetogoaway。"

"WhyshouldI？"heinquiredsulkily。

"Peoplewilltalk。"

"Letthem。Idon’tcare。

"NeitherdoI，youstupidboy。Butmyfatherwillcare，andifpeopletalkhewillbeveryangry。"

"MydearLucy，"andArchieputhisarmroundherwaisttosaythis，"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldbeafraidoftheProfessor。

Heisonlyyourstep-father，andyouaren’tsoveryfondofhimastomindwhathesays。Besides，wecanmarrysoon，andthenhecangohang。"

"ButIdon’twanthimtogohang，"shereplied，laughing。"Afterall，theProfessorhasalwaysbeenkindtome，andasastep-fatherhasbehavedverywell，whenhecouldeasilyhavemadehimselfdisagreeable。Anotherthingisthathecanbeverybadtemperedwhenhelikes，andifIletpeopletalkaboutus-whichtheywilldoiftheygetachance-hewillbehavesocoldlytome，thatIshallhaveadisagreeabletime。Aswecan’tmarryforeversolong，Idon’twanttobeuncomfortable。"

"Wecanmarrywheneveryoulike，"saidHopeunexpectedly。

"What，withyourincomesounsettled？"

"Itisnotunsettled。"

"Yes，itis。Youwillhelpthathorridspendthriftuncleofyours，anduntilheandhisfamilyaresolventIdon’tseehowwecanbesureofourmoney。"

"Wearesureofitnow，dearest。UncleSimonhasturneduptrumpsafterall，andsohavehisinvestments。"

"Whatdoyoumeanexactly？"

"ImeanthatyesterdayIreceivedaletterfromhimsayingthathewasnowrich，andwouldpaybackallIhadlenthim。IwentuptoLondonto-day，andhadaninterview。TheresultofthatisthatIamsomethousandstothegood，thatUncleSimoniswellofffortherestofhislifeandwillrequirenomoreassistance，andthatmythreehundredayearisquiteclearforeverandeverandever。"

"Thenwecanmarry，"criedMissKendalwithagaspofdelight。

"Wheneveryouchoose-nextweekifyoulike。"

"InJanuarythen-justafterChristmas。"We’llgoonatriptoItalyandreturntotakeaflatinLondon。Oh，Archie，IamsorryIthoughtsobadlyofyouruncle。Hehasbehavedverywell。Andwhatamercyitisthathewillrequirenomoreassistance！Youaresurehewillnot。"

"Ifhedoes，hewon’tgetit，"saidHopecandidly。"WhileIwasabachelorIcouldassisthim；butwhenIammarriedImustlookaftermyselfandmywife。"HegaveLucyahug。"It’sallrightnow，dear，andUncleSimonhasbehavedexcellently-farbetterthanIexpected。WeshallgotoItalyforthehoneymoonandneednothurrybackuntilwe-well，sayuntilwequarrel。"

"InthatcaseweshallliveinItalyfortherestofourlives，"

saidLucywithtwinklingeyes；"butwemustcomebackinayearandtakeastudioinChelsea。"

"WhynotinGartley？"Remember，theProfessorwillbelonely。"

"No，hewon’t。Mrs。Jasher，asItoldyou，intendstomarryhim。"

"Hemightnotwish，tomarryher"

"Thatdoesn’tmatter，"rejoinedLucy，withtheclevernessofawoman。"Shecanmanagetobringthemarriageabout。Besides，I

wanttobreakwiththeoldlifehere，andbeginquiteanewonewithyou。WhenIamyourwifeandMrs。Jasherismystep-father’s，everythingwillbecapitallyarranged。"

"Well，Ihopeso，"saidArchieheartily，"forIwantyoualltomyselfandhavenodesiretoshareyouwith，anyoneelse。ButI

say，"heglancedathiswatch；"itisgettingtowardsnineo’clock，andIamdesperatelyhungry。Can’twegotodinner？"

"NotuntilMrs。Jasherarrives，"saidLucyprimly。

"Oh，bother-！"

Hope，beingquiteexasperatedwithhunger，wouldhavelaunchedoutintoaspeechcondemningthewidow’sunpunctuality，wheninthehallbelowthedrawing-roomwasheardthesoundofthedooropeningandclosing。WithoutdoubtthiswasMrs。Jasherarrivingatlast，andLucyranoutoftheroomanddownthestairstowelcomeherinhereagernesstogetArchieseatedatthedinnertable。Theyoungmanlingeredbytheopendoorofthedrawing-room，readytowelcomethewidow，whenheheardLucyutteranexclamationofsurpriseandbecameawarethatshewasascendingthestairsalongwithProfessorBraddock。Atoncehereflectedtherewouldbetrouble，sincehewasinthehousewithLucy，andlackedthenecessarychaperonwhichBraddock’sprimitiveAnglo-Saxoninstinctsinsistedupon。

"Ididnotknowyouwerereturningto-night，"Lucywassayingwhenshere-enteredthedrawing-roomwithherstepfather。

"Iarrivedbythesixo’clocktrain，"explainedtheProfessor，unwindingalargeredscarffromhisneck，andstrugglingoutofhisovercoatwiththeassistanceofhisdaughter。"Ha，Hope，goodevening。"

"Wherehaveyoubeensince？"askedLucy，throwingtheProfessor’scoatandwrapsontoachair。

"WithMrs。Jasher，"saidBraddock，warminghisplumphandsatthefire。"Soyoumustblamemethatsheisnotheretopresideatdinnerasthechaperonofyouyoungpeople。"

Lucyandherloverglancedatone-anotherinsurprise。ThislightandairytonewasanewonefortheProfessortotake。

Insteadofbeingangry，heseemedtobeunusuallygay，andlookedattheminquiteajocularmannerforadry-as-dustscientist。

"Wewaiteddinnerforher，father，"venturedLucytimidly。

"ThenIamreadytoeatit，"announcedBraddock。"Iamextremelyhungry，mydear。Ican’tliveonlove，youknow。"

"Liveonlove？"Lucystared，andArchielaughedquietly。

"Ohyes，youmaysmileandlookastonished；’wentontheProfessorgood-humoredly，"butsciencedoesnotdestroytheprimevalinstinctsentirely。Lucy，mydear，"hetookherhandandpattedit，"whileinLondonandinlodgings，itwasborneinuponmeforciblyhowlonelyIwasandhowlonelyIwouldbewhenyoumarriedouryoungfriendyonder。Ihadintendedtocomedownto-morrow，butto-night，suchwasmyfeelingoflonelinessthatI

consideredfavorablyyourideathatIshouldfindasecondhelpmateinMrs。Jasher。Ihavealwayshadaprofoundadmirationforthatlady，andso-onthespurofthemoment，asImaysay-

Idecidedtocomedownthiseveningandpropose。"

"Oh，"Lucyclappedherhands，verywellsatisfiedwiththeunexpectednews，"andhaveyou？"

"Mrs。Jasher，"saidtheProfessorgravely，"didmethehonortopromisetobecomemywifethisevening。"

"Shewillbecomeyourwifethisevening？"saidArchie，smiling。

Braddock，withoneofthoseoddtwistsofhumorwhichwerecharacteristicofhim，becameirascible。

"Confoundit，sir，don’tIspeakEnglish，"hesnapped，withhiseyesglaringrebuke。"ShepromisedthiseveningtobecomeMrs。

Braddock。Weshallmarry-sowehavearranged-inthespringtime，whichisthenaturalpairingseasonforhumanbeingsaswellasforbirds。AndIamgladtosaythatMrs；Jashertakesadeepinterestinarchaeology。"

"And，whatismore，sheisasplendidhousekeeper，"saidLucy。

ThetemporaryangeroftheProfessorvanished。Hedrewhisstep-daughtertowardshimandkissedheronthecheek。

"IbelievethatIhavetothankyouforputtingtheideaintomyhead，"saidhe，"andalso-ifMrs。Jasheristobebelieved-

foraidinghertoseethemutualadvantageitwouldbetobothofustomarry。Ha，"hereleasedLucyandrubbedhishands，"letusgotodinner。"

"Iamveryglad，"saidMissKendalheartily。

"SoamI，soamI，"repliedBraddock，nodding。"Asyouverytrulyobserved，mychild，thehousewouldhavegonetorackandruinwithoutawomantolookaftermyinterests。Well，"hetookthearmsofthetwoyoungpeople，"Ireallythinkthatwemusthaveabottleofchampagneonthestrengthofit。"

Shortlythetriowereseatedatthetable，andBraddockexplainedthatMrs。Jasher，beingovercomebyhisproposal，hadnotbeenabletofacetheordealofcongratulations。

"Butshewillcometo-morrow，"saidhe，asCockatoofilledthreeglasses。

"Indeed，Ishallcongratulateherto-night，"saidLucyobstinately。"Assoonasdinnerisover，IshallgowithArchietoherhouse，andtellherhowpleasedIam。"

"Itisverycoldforyoutobeout，Lucydear，"urgedArchieanxiously。

"Oh，Icanwrapupwarmly，"sheanswered。

Strangetosay，theProfessormadenoobjectiontotheexcursion，althoughHopequiteexpectedsuchasticklerforetiquettetorefusepermissiontohisstepdaughter。ButBraddockseemedratherpleasedthanotherwise。Hisproposalofmarriageseemedtohaveputhimintoexcellenthumor，andheraisedhisglasswithachuckle。

"Idrinktoyourhappiness，mydearLucy，andtothatofMrs。

Jasher’s。"

"AndIdrinktoArchie’sandtoyours，father，"shereplied。"I

amgladthatyouwillnotbelonelywhenwearemarried。ArchieandIwishtobecomeoneinJanuary。"

"Yes，"saidHope，finishinghischampagne，"myincomeisnowallright，asmyunclehaspaidup。"

"Verygood，verygood。Imakenoobjection，"saidBraddockplacidly。"Iwillgiveyouahandsomeweddingpresent，Lucy，foryoumayhaveheardthatmyfuturewifehasmoneylefttoherbyherbrother，whowaslatelyamerchantinPekin。SheisheartandhandwithmeinourproposedexpeditiontoEgypt。"

"Willyougothereforthehoneymoon，sir？"askedHope。

"Notexactlyforthehoneymoon，sincewearetobemarriedinspring，andmyexpeditiontothetombofQueenTahosercannotstartuntilthelateautumn。ButMrs。Braddockwillcomewithme。Thatisonlyjust，sinceitwillbehermoneywhichwillfurnishthesinewsofwar。"

"Well，everythingisarrangedverywell，"saidLucy。"ImarryArchie；you，father，makeMrs。Jasheryourwife；andIsuspectSirFrankwillmarryDonnaInez。"

"Ha！"saidBraddockwithastart，"thedaughterofDeGayangos，whohascomehereforthemissingmummy。Mrs。Jashertoldmesomewhatofthat，mydear’。ButIshallseeDonPedromyselfto-morrow。Meanwhile，letuseatanddrink。Imustgodowntothemuseum，andyou-"

"WeshallgotocongratulateMrs。Jasher，"saidLucy。

Soitwasarranged，andshortlyProfessorBraddockretiredintohissanctumalongwiththedevotedCockatoo，whodisplayedlivelyjoyonbeholdinghismasteroncemore。Lucy，afterbeingcarefullywrappedupbyArchie，setoutwiththatyoungmantocongratulatethebride-elect。Itwasjusthalf-pastninewhentheystartedout。

Thenightwasfrostyandthestarstwinkledlikejewelsinacloudlessskyofdarkblue。Themoonshonewithhardbrillianceontheground，whichwaspowderedwithalightfallofsnow。Astheyoungpeoplewalkedbrisklythroughthevillage，theirfootstepsrangonthefrostyearthandtheyscrunchedthesnowintheirquicktread。TheWarriorInnwasstillopen，asitwasnotlate，andlightsshonefromthewindowsofthevariouscottages。

Whenthetwo，followingtheroadthroughthemarshes，emergedfromthevillage，theysawthegreatmassoftheFortbulkingblacklyagainsttheclearsky，theglitteringstreamoftheThames，andthemarshesoutlinedindelicatewhite。ThefairyworldofsnowandmoonlightappealedtoArchie’sartisticsense，andLucyapprovingofthesame，theydidnothurrytoarriveattheirdestination。

Butshortlytheysawthesquarelyfencedacreofgroundneartheembankment，whereinMrs。Jasher’shumbleabodewasplaced。Lightshonethroughthepinkcurtainsofthedrawing-room，showingthatthewidowhadnotyetretired。Inafewminutestheloverswereatthegateandpromptlyentered。Itwasthenthatoneofthoseoddthingshappenedwhichwouldarguethatsomepeoplearepossessedofasixthsense。

Archieclosedthegateafterhim，and，glancingrightandleft，walkedupthesnowypathwithLucy。Totherightwasaleaflessarbor，alsopowderedwithsnow，andagainstthewhitebulkedadarkformsomethinglikeacoffin。Hopeoutofcuriositywentuptoit。

"Whatthedeuceisthis？"heaskedhimself；thenraisedhisvoiceinloudsurprise。"Lucy！Lucy！comehere！"

"Whatisit？"sheasked，runningup。

"Look"-hepointedtotheoddlyshapedcase-"thegreenmummy！"

CHAPTERXIII

MOREMYSTERY

NeitherLucynorArchieHopehadeverseenthemummy，buttheyknewtheappearancewhichitwouldpresent，asProfessorBraddock，withtheenthusiasmofanarchaeologist，hadoftendescribedthesametothem。Itappeared，accordingtoBraddock，thatonpurchasingthepreciouscorpseinMalta，hisdeadassistanthadwrittenhomeafulldescriptionofthetreasuretrove。Consequently，beingadvisedbeforehand，Hopehadnodifficultyinrecognizingtheoddlyshapedcase，whichwasmadesomewhatintheEgyptianform。Ontheimpulseofthemomenthehadproclaimedthistobethelong-lostmummy，andwhenacloserexaminationbythelightofalucifermatchrevealedthegreenhueofthecoffinwood，heknewthathewasright。

ButwhatwasthemummyinitsancientcasedoinginMrs。Jasher’sarbor？Thatwasthemutequestionwhichthetwoyoungpeopleaskedthemselvesandeachother，astheystoodinthechillymoonlight，staringatthegrotesquething。ThemummyhaddisappearedfromtheSailor’sRestatPiersidesomeweeksago，andnowunexpectedlyappearedinalonelygarden，surroundedbymarshes。Howithadbeenbroughtthere，orwhyitshouldhavebeenbroughtthere，orwhohadbroughtittosuchanunlikelyplace，werequestionshardtoanswer。However，themostobviousthingtodowastoquestionMrs。Jasher，sincetheuncannyobjectwaslyingwithinastone-throwofherhome。Lucy，afterarapidwordortwo，wenttoringthebell，andsummonthelady，whileArchiestoodbythearbor，wonderinghowthemummycametobethere。InthesamewayGeorgeIIIhadwonderedhowtheapplesgotintothedumplings。

Farandwidespreadthemarshes，flatlytowardstheshoreoftheriverononeside，butontheotherslopinguptoGartleyvillage，whichtwinkledwithmanylightsontherisingground。

SomedistanceawaytheFortroseblackandmenacinginthemoonlight，andthemightystreamoftheThamesglitteredlikepolishedsteelasitflowedseaward。Astherewereonlyafewleaflesstreesdottedaboutthemarshyground，andasthatsameground，lightlysprinkledwithpowderysnow，revealedeverymovingobjectforquiteamileorso，Hopecouldnotconceivehowthemummycase，whichseemedheavy，couldhavebeenbroughtintothesilentgardenwithoutitsbearersbeingseen。Itwasnotlate，andsoldierswerestillreturningthroughGartleytotheFort。Then，again，somenoisemusthavebeencausedbysobulkyanobjectbeingthrustthroughthenarrowwicket，andMrs。

Jasher，inhabitingawoodenhouse，whichwasaverysea-shellforsound，mighthaveheardfootstepsandvoices。Ifthosewhohadbroughtthemummyhere-andtherewasmorethanonefromthesizeofthecase-couldbediscovered，thenthemysteryofSidneyBolton’sdeathwouldbesolvedveryspeedily。ItwasatthismomentofhisreflectionsthatLucyreturnedtothearbor，leadingMrs。Jasher，whowasattiredinatea-gownandwholookedbewildered。

"Whatareyoutalkingabout，mydear？"shesaid，asLucyledhertowardsthearbor。"IdeclareIwaseversomuchastonished，whenJanetoldmethatyouwishedtospeaktome。Iwasjustwritingalettertothelawyerwhohasmypoorbrother’spropertyinhand，announcingmyengagementtotheProfessor。Mr。Hope？

Youherealso。Well，I’msure。"

Lucygrewimpatientatallthisbabble。

"DidyounothearwhatIsaid，Mrs。Jasher？"shecriedirritably。

"Can’tyouuseyoureyes？Look！Thegreenmummyisinyourarbor。"

"The-green-mummy-in-my-arbor，"repeatedMrs。Jasher，likeachildlearningwordsofonesyllable，andstaringattheblackobjectbeforewhichthethreewerestanding。

"Asyousee，"saidArchieabruptly。"Howdiditcomehere？"

Hespokeharshly。Ofcourse，itwasabsurdtoaccuseMrs。Jasherofknowinganythingaboutthematter，sinceshehadbeenwritingletters。Still，thefactremainedthatamummy，whichhadbeenthievedfromamurderedman，wasinherarbor，andnaturallyshewascalledupontoexplain。

Somesuspicioninhistonestruckthelittlewoman，andsheturnedonhimwithindignation。

"Howdiditcomehere？"sherepeated。"Now，howcanItell，yousillyboy。IhavebeenwritingtomylawyeraboutmyengagementtoMr。Braddock。Idaresayhehastoldyou。"

"Yes，"chimedinMissKendal，"andwecameheretocongratulateyou，onlytofindthemummy。"

"Isthatthehorridthing？"Mrs。Jasherstaredwithallhereyes，andtimidlytouchedthehardgreen-stainedwood。

"It’sthecase-themummyisinside。"

"ButIthoughtthattheProfessoropenedthecasetofindthebodyofpoorSidneyBolton，"arguedMrs。Jasher。

"Thatwasapackingcaseinwhichthis"-Archiestrucktheold-worldcoffin-"wasstored。ButthisisthecorpseofIncaCaxas，aboutwhichDonPedrotoldustheothernight。Howdoesitcometobehiddeninyourgarden？"

"Hidden。"Mrs。Jasherrepeatedthewordwithalaugh。"Thereisnotmuchhidingaboutit。Why，everyonecanseeitfromthepath。"

"Andfromthedoorofyourhouse，"remarkedHopesignificantly。

"DidyounotseeitwhenyoutookleaveofBraddock？"

"No，"snappedthewidow。"IfIhadIshouldcertainlyhavecometolook。AlsoProfessorBraddock，whoissoanxioustorecoverit，wouldnothaveallowedittoremainhere。"

"ThenthecasewasnotherewhentheProfessorleftyoutonight？"

"No！Heleftmeateighto’clocktogohometodinner。"

"Whendidhearrivehere？"questionedHopequickly。

"Atseven。Iamsureofthetime，forIwasjustsittingdowntomysupper。Hewashereanhour。Buthesaidnothing，whenheentered，ofanymummybeinginthearbor；norwhenheleftmeatthedoorandIcametosaygood-byetohim-dideitherofusseethisobject。Tobesure，"addedMrs。Jashermeditatively，"wedidnotlookparticularlyinthedirectionofthisarbor。"

"Iscarcelyseehowanyoneenteringorleavingthegardencouldfailtoseeit，especiallyasthesnowreflectsthemoonlightsobrightly。"

Mrs。Jashershivered，andtakingtheskirtofherteagown，flungitoverhercarefullyattiredhead，"Itisverycold，"sheremarkedirritably。"Don’tyouthinkwehadbetterreturntothehouse，andtalkthere？"

"What！"saidArchiegrimly，"andleavethemummytobecarriedawayasmysteriouslyasithasbeenbrought。No，Mrs。Jasher。

Thatmummyrepresentsonethousandpoundsofmymoney。"

"IunderstoodthattheProfessorboughtithimself。"

"Sohedid，butIsuppliedthepurchasemoney。ThereforeIdonotintendthatthisshouldbelostsightofagain。Lucy，mydear，yourunhomeagainandtellyourfatherwhatwehavefound。

Hehadbetterbringmen，totakeittohismuseum。Whenitisthere，Mrs。Jashercanthenexplainhowitcametobeinhergarden。"

WithoutawordLucysetoff，walkingquickly，anxioustofulfillhermissionandgladdentheheartofherstepfatherwiththeamazingnews。

ArchieandMrs。Jasherwereleftalone，andtheformerlightedacigarette，whilehetappedthemummycase，andexamineditascloselyasthepalegleamofthemoonlightpermitted。Mrs。

Jashermadenomovetoenterthehouse，muchasshehadcomplainedofthecold。Butperhapsshefoundtheflimsyskirtofthetea-gownsufficientprotection。

"Itseemstome，Mr。Hope，"saidsheverytartly，"thatyoususpectmyhavingahandinthis，"andshetappedthemummycoffinalso。

"Pardonme，"observedHopeverypolitely，"butIsuspectnothing，becauseIhavenogroundsuponwhichtobasemysuspicions。Butcertainlyitisoddthatthismissingmummyshouldbefoundinyourgarden。Youwilladmitthatmuch。"

"Iadmitnothingofthesort，"sherejoinedcoolly。"OnlymyselfandJaneliveinthecottage，andyoudon’texpectthattwodelicatewomencouldmovethishugething。"Shetappedthecaseagain。"Moreover，hadIfoundthemummyIshouldhavetakenittothePyramidsatonce，soastogiveProfessorBraddocksomepleasure。"

"Itwillcertainlybeanacceptableweddingpresent，"saidArchiesarcastically。

"Pardonme，"saidMrs。Jasherinherturn，"butIhavenothingtodowithitasapresentorotherwise。HowthethingcameintomyarborIreallycannotsay。AsItoldyou，ProfessorBraddockmadenoremarkaboutitwhenhecame；andwhenheleft，althoughIwasatthedoor，Ididnotnoticeanythinginthisarbor。

IndeedIcannotsayifIeverlookedinthisdirection。"

Archiemusedandglancedathiswatch。

"TheProfessortoldLucythathecamebythesixtrain:yousaythathewashereatseven。"

"Yes，andheleftateight。Whatisthetimenow？"

"Teno’clock，orafewminutesafter。Therefore，sinceneitheryounorBraddocksawthemummy，Itakeitthatthecasewasbroughtherebysomeunknownpeoplebetweeneighto’clockandaquartertoten，aboutwhichtimeIarrivedherewithLucy。"

Mrs。Jashernodded。

"Youputthematterveryclearly，"sheobserveddryly。"Youhavemistakenyourvocation，Mr。Hope，andshouldhavebeenacriminallawyer。IshouldturndetectivewereIyou。"

"Why？"askedArchiewithastart。

"Youmightascertainmymovementsonthenightwhenthecrimewascommitted，"snappedthelittlewidow。"Awomanmuffledinashawl，inmuchthesamewayasmyheadisnowmuffledinmyskirt，talkedto，BoltonthroughthebedroomwindowoftheSailor’sRest，youknow。"

Hopeexpostulated。

"Mydearlady，howyourunon！IassureyouthatIwouldassoonsuspectLucyasyou。"

"Thankyou，"saidthewidowverydrylyandverytartly。

"Imerelywishtopointout，"wentonArchieinaconciliatorytone，"that，asthemummyinitscase-asappearsprobable-

wasbroughtintoyourgardenbetweenthehoursofeightandten，lessfifteenminutes，thatyoumayhaveheardthevoicesorfootstepsofthosewhocarriedithere。"

"Iheardnothing，"saidMrs。Jasher，turningtowardsthepath。

"Ihadmysupper，andplayedagameortwoofpatience，andthenwroteletters，asItoldyoubefore。AndIamnotgoingtostandinthecold，answeringsillyquestions，Mr。Hope。Ifyouwishtotalkyoumustcomeinside。"

Hopeshookhisheadandlightedafreshcigarette。

"Istandguardoverthismummyuntilitsrightfulownercomes，"

saidhedeterminedly。

"Ho！"rejoinedMrs。Jasherscornfully:shewasnowatthedoor。

"Iunderstoodthatyouboughtthemummyandthereforewereitsowner。Well，Ionlyhopeyou’llfindthoseemeraldsDonPedrotalkedabout，"andwithalightlaughsheenteredthecottage。

Archielookedafterherinapuzzledway。TherewasnoreasontosuspectMrs。Jasher，sofarashesaw，eventhoughawomanhadbeenseentalkingtoBoltononthenightofthecrime。Andyet，whyshouldthewidowrefertotheemeralds，whichwereofsuchimmensevalue，accordingtoDonPedro？Hopeglancedatthecaseandshooktheprimitivecoffin，anxiousforthemomenttoopenitandascertainifthejewelswerestillclutchedgrimlyinthemummy’sdeadhands。Butthecoffinwasfastenedtightlydownwithwoodenpegs，andcouldonlybeopenedwithextremecareanddifficulty。Also，asHopereflected，evendidhemanagetoopenthisreceptacleofthedead，hestillcouldnotascertainiftheemeraldsweresafe，sincetheywouldbehiddenunderinnumerableswathingsofgreen-dyedllamawool。Hethereforeletthematterrestthere，and，staringattheriver，wonderedhowthemummyhadbeenbroughttothegardeninthemarshes。

HoperecollectedthatexpertshaddecidedthemodeinwhichthemummyhadbeenremovedfromthePiersidepublic-house。Ithadbeenpassedthroughthewindow，accordingtoInspectorDateandothers，and，whentakenacrossthenarrowpathwhichborderedtheriver，hadbeenplacedinawaitingboat。Afterthatithadvanisheduntilithadre-appearedinthisarbor。Butiftakenbywateronce，itcouldhavebeentakenbywateragain。Therewasarudejettybehindtheembankment，whichHopecouldeasilyseefromwherehestood。Inallprobabilitythemummyhadbeenlandedthereandcarriedtothegarden，whileMrs。Jasherwasbusywithhersupperandhergameofcardsandherletters。

Also，thepathfromtheshoretothehousewasverylonely，andifanycarehadbeenexercised，whichwasprobable，noonefromtheFortroadorfromthevillagestreetcouldhaveseenthestealthyconspiratorsbringingtheirweirdburden。SofarHopefeltthathecouldargueexcellently。Butwhohadbroughtthemummytothegardenandwhyhaditbeenbroughtthere？Thesequestionshecouldnotanswersoeasily，andindeednotatall。

Whilethusmeditating，heheard，farawayinthefrostyair，apuffingandblowingandpantinglikeanimpatientmotor-car。

Beforehecouldguesswhatthiswas，Braddockappeared，simplyracingalongthemarshycauseway，followedcloselybyCockatoo，andatsomedistanceawaybyLucy。Thelittlescientistrushedthroughthegate，whichheflungopenwithanoisefittowakethedead，andlungedforward，tofallwithoutstretchedarmsuponthegreencase。Thereheremained，stillpuffingandblowing，andlookedasthoughhewerehuggingahugegreenbeetle。

Cockatoo，who，beingleanandhard，kepthisbreathmoreeasily，stoodrespectfullyby，waitingforhismastertogiveorders，andLucycameinquietlybythegate，smilingatherfather’senthusiasm。AtthesamemomentMrs。Jasher，wellwrappedupinacoatofsables，emergedfromthecottage。

"Iheardyoucoming，Professor，"shecalledout，hurryingdownthepath。

"IshouldthinkthewholeFortheardtheProfessorcoming，"saidHope，glancingatthedarkmass。"Thesoldiersmustthinkitisaninvasion。"

ButBraddockpaidnoheedtothisjocularity，oreventoMrs。

Jasher，towhomhehadbeensolatelyengaged。Allhissoulwasinthemummycase，andassoonasherecoveredhisbreath，heloudlyproclaimedhisjoyatthismiraculousrecoveryofthepreciousarticle。

"Mine！mine！"heroared，andhiswordsranviolentlythroughthefrostyair。

"Becalm，sir，"advisedHope-"becalm。"

"Calm！calm！"bellowedBraddock，strugglingtoastandingposition。"Oh，confoundyou，sir，howcanIbecalmwhenIfindwhatIhavelost？Youhaveamean，grovelingsoul，Hope，notthesoaringspiritofacollector。"

"ThereisnoneedtoberudetoArchie，father，"correctedLucysharply。

"Rude！Rude！Iamneverrude。Butthismummy。"Braddockpeeredcloselyatitandrappedthewoodtoassurehimselfitwasnophantom。"Yes！itismymummy，themummyofIncaCaxas。NowIshalllearnhowthePeruviansembalmedtheirroyaldead。Mine！

mine！mine！"Hecroonedlikeamotheroverachild，caressingthecoffin；thensuddenlydrewhimselfuprightandfixedMrs。

Jasherwithanindignanteye。"Soitwasyou，madam，whostolemymummy，"hedeclaredvenomously，"andIthoughtofmakingyoumywife。Oh，whatanescapeIhavehad。Shame，woman，shame！"

Mrs。Jasherstared，thenherfacegrewredderthantherougeonhercheeks，andshestampedfuriouslyintheneatLouisQuinzeslippersinwhichshehadinjudiciouslycomeout。

"Howdareyousaywhatyouhavesaid？"shecried，hervoiceshrillandhardwithanger。"Mr。Hopehasbeensayingthesamething。Areyoubothmad？Ineverseteyesonthehorridthinginmylife。Andonlyto-nightyoutoldmethatyouloved-"

"Yes，yes，Isaidmanyfoolishthings，Idon’tdoubt，madam。Butthatisnotthequestion。Mymummy！mymummy！"herappedthewoodfuriously-"howdoesmymummycometobehere？"

"Idon’tknow，"saidMrs。Jasher，stillfurious，"andIdon’tcare。"

"Don’tcare:don’tcare，whenIlookforwardtoyourhelpingmeinmylifework！Asmywife-"

"Ishallneverbeyourwife，"criedthewidow，stampingagain。

"Iwouldn’tbeyourwifeforathousandoramillionpounds。

Marryyourmummy，youhorrid，red-faced，crabbedlittle-"

"Hush！hush！"whisperedLucy，takingtheangrywomanroundthewaist，"youmustmakeallowancesformyfather。Heissoexcitedoverhisgoodfortunethathe-"

"Ishallnotmakeallowance，"interruptedMrs。Jasherangrily。

"Hepracticallyaccusesmeofstealingthemummy。IfIdidthat，ImusthavemurderedpoorSidneyBolton。"

"No，no，"criedtheProfessor，wipinghisredface。"Ineverhintedatsuchathing。Butthemummyisinyourgarden。"

"Whatofthat？Idon’tknowhowitcamethere。Mr。Hope，surelyyoudonotsupportProfessorBraddockinhispreposterousaccusation？"

"Ibringnoaccusation，"stutteredtheProfessor。

"NeitherdoI，Mrs。Jasher。Youareexcitednow。Goinandsleep，andto-morrowyouwilltalkreasonably。"ThisbrilliantspeechwasfromHope，andwroughtMrs。Jasherintoaroyalrage。

"Well，"shegasped，"heasksmetobecalm，asitIwasn’ttheverycalmestpersonhere。Ideclare:oh，Ishallbeill！Lucy，"

sheseizedthegirl’shandanddraggedhertowardsthecottage，"comeinandgivemeredlavender。Ishallbeinbedfordaysanddaysanddays。Oh，whatbrutesmencanbe！Butlisten，youtwohorrors，"sheindicatedBraddockandHope，asshepushedopenthedoor，"Ifyoudaretosayawordagainstme，I’llhaveanactionforlibelagainstyou。Oh，dearme，howveryillIfeel！

Lucy，darling，helpme，oh，helpme，and-and-oh-oh-oh！"

Shefloppeddownonthethresholdofherhomewithacry。

"Archie！Archie！She’sfainted。"

Hoperushedforward，andraisedthestoutlittlewomaninhisarms。Jane，attractedbytheclamor，appearedonthescene，andbetweenthethreeofthemtheymanagedtogetMrs。Jasherplacedonthesofaofthepinkdrawing-room。Shecertainlywasinadeadfaint，soHopelefthertotheadministrationsofLucyandtheservant，andwalkedoutagainintothegarden，closingthecottagedoorafterhim。

HefoundtheheartlessProfessorquiteoblivioustoMrs。Jasher’ssufferings，sotakenupwashewiththenewlyfoundmummy。

Cockatoohadbeensentforahand-cart，andwhilehewasabsentBraddockexpatiatedontheperfectionsofthisrelicofPeruviancivilization。

"WillyousellittoDonPedro？"askedHope。

"AfterIhavedonewithit，notbefore，"snappedBraddock，hoveringroundhistreasure。"Ishallwantapercentageonmybargainalso。"

ArchiethoughtprivatelythatifBraddockunswathedthemummy，hewouldfindtheemeraldsandwouldprobablysticktothem，sothathisexpeditiontoEgyptmightbefinanced。ItthatcaseDonPedrowouldnolongerwishtobuythecorpseofhisancestor。

ButwhilehedebatedastotheadvisabilityoftellingtheProfessoroftheexistenceoftheemeralds，Cockatooreturnedwiththehand-cart。

"YouhavelostMrs。Jasher，"saidHope，whilehe，assistedtheProfessortohoistthemummyontothecart。

"Nevermind！nevermind！"Braddockpattedthecoffin。"Ihavefoundsomethingmuchmoretomymind:somethingeversomuchbetter。Ha！ha！"

CHAPTERXIV

THEUNEXPECTEDHAPPENS

Inspiteofnewspapersandlettersandtape-machinesandtelegramsandsuchlikeaidstothespeedydiffusionofnews，thesametravelsquickerinvillagesthanincities。Wordofmouthcanspreadgossipwithmarvelousrapidityinsparselyinhabitedcommunities，sinceitisobviousthatinsuchplaceseverypersonknowstheother-asthesayinggoes-insideout。IneveryEnglishvillagewallshaveearsandwindowshaveeyes，sothateverycottageisahot-bedofscandal，andwhatisknowntooneis，withinthehour，knowntotheothers。EventheSphinxcouldnothavepreservedhersecretlonginsuchalocality。

Gartleycouldkeepupitsreputationinthisrespectalongwiththebest，thereforeitwaslittletobewonderedat，thatearlynextmorningeveryoneknewthatProfessorBraddockhadfoundhislong-lostmummyinMrs。Jasher’sgarden，andhadremovedthesametothePyramidswithoutunnecessarydelay。Itwasnotparticularlylatewhenthehand-cart，withitsuncannyburden，hadpassedalongthesolestreetoftheplace，andseveralmenhademergedfromtheWarriorInnostensiblytoofferhelp，butreallytoknowwhattheeccentricmasterofthegreathousewasdoing。Braddockbrusquelyrejectedtheseoffers；buttheoddlyshapedmummycase，stainedgreen，havingbeenseen，itneededlittlewitforthosewhohadcaughtasightofittoputtwoandtwotogether，especiallyastheweirdobjecthadbeendescribedattheinquestandhadbeentalkedovereversinceineverycottage。Andasthecarthadbeenseencomingoutofthewidow’sgarden，itnaturallyoccurredtothevillagersthatMrs。Jasherhadbeenconcealingthemummy。ShortlytherumorspreadthatshehadalsomurderedBolton，forunlessshehaddoneso，shecertainly-accordingtovillagelogic-couldnothavebeenpossessedofthespoil。Finally，asMrs。Jasher’sdoorsandwindowsweresmallandthemummywasratherbulky，itwasnaturaltopresumethatshehadhiddenitinthegarden。Reportsaidshehadburieditandhaddugitupjustintimetobepounceduponbyitsrightfulowner。Fromwhichitcanbeseenthatgossipisnotinvariablyaccurate。

Howeverthismaybe，thenewsofProfessorBraddock’sgoodfortuneshortlycametoDonPedro’searsthroughthemediumofthelandlady。Assherevealedwhatshehadheardinthemorning，thePeruviangentlemanwassparedasleeplessnight。Butassoonashelearnedthetruth-whichwassurprisingenoughinitsunexpectedness-hehastilyfinishedhisbreakfastandhurriedtothePyramids。AsyethehadnotintendedtoseeBraddocksopromptly，oratleastnotuntilhehadmadefurtherinquiriesatPierside，butthenewsthatBraddockpossessedtheroyalancestoroftheDeGayanosesbroughthimimmediatelyintothemuseum。HegreetedtheProfessorinhisusualgraveanddignifiedmanner，andnoonewouldhaveguessedfromhisinherentcalmnessthattheunexpectednewsofBraddock’sarrival，andthestillmoreunexpectedinformationaboutthegreenmummy，hadsurprisedhimbeyondmeasure。Beingsomewhatsuperstitious，italsooccurredtoDonPedrothatthecoincidencemeantgoodfortunetohimintherecoveryofhislong-lostancestor。

Braddock，alreadyknowingagreatdealaboutDonPedrofromLucyandArchieHope，wasonlytoopleasedtoseethePeruvian，hopingtofindinhimakindredspirit。AsyettheProfessorwasnotawareofthecontentsoftheancientLatinmanuscript，whichrevealedthefactofthehiddenemeralds，sinceHopehaddecidedtoleaveittothePeruviantoimparttheinformation。ArchieknewverywellthatDonPedro-ashehadplainlystated-wishedtopurchasethemummy，anditwasonlyrightthatBraddockshouldknowwhathewasselling。ButHopeforgotoneimportantfactperhapsfromthecarelesswayinwhichDonPedrohadtoldhisstory-namely，thattheProfessorinaseconddegreewasareceiverofstolengoods。ThereforeitwasmorethanprobablethatthePeruvianwouldclaimthemummyashisownproperty。

Still，inthateventhewouldhavetoprovehisclaim，andthatwouldnotbeeasy。

Theplumplittleprofessorhadnotyetunsealedthecase，andwhenDonPedroentered，hewasstandingbeforeitrubbinghisfathands，withagloatingexpressioninhisface。However，asCockatoohadbroughtinthePeruvian’scard，Braddockexpectedhisvisitorandwheeledtofacehim。

"Howareyou，sir？"saidhe，extendinghishand。"Iamgladtoseeyou，asIhearthatyouknowallaboutthismummyofIncaCaxas。"

"Well，Ido，"answeredDeGayangos，sittingdowninthechairwhichhishostpushedforward。"ButmayIaskwhotoldyouthatthismummywasthatofthelastInca？"

Braddockpinchedhisplumpchinandrepliedreadily，enough。

"Certainly，DonPedro。IwishedtolearnthedifferenceinembalmingbetweentheEgyptiansandtheancientPeruvians，andlookedaboutforaSouthAmericancorpse。UnexpectedlyIsawinseveralEuropeannewspapersandintwoEnglishjournalsthatagreenPeruvianmummywasforsaleatMaltaforonethousandpounds。Isentmyassistant，SidneyBolton，tobuyit，andhemanagedtogetit，coffinandall，forninehundred。WhileinMalta，andbeforehestartedbackinTheDiverwiththemummy，hewrotemeanaccountofthetransaction。Theseller-whowasthesonofaMaltesecollector-toldBoltonthathisfatherhadpickedupthemummyinParissometwentyandmoreyearsago。ItcamefromLimasomethirtyyearsback，Ibelieve，and，accordingtothecollectorinParis，wasthecorpseofIncaCaxas。Thatisthewholestory。"

DonPedronoddedgravely。

"WasthereaLatinmanuscriptdeliveredalongwiththemummy？"heasked。

Braddock’seyesopenedwidely。

"No，sir。ThemummycamethirtyyearsagofromLimatoParis。

ItpassedtwentyyearsbackintothepossessionoftheMaltesecollector，andhissonsoldittomeafewmonthsago。Ineverheardofanymanuscript。"

"ThenMr。HopedidnotrepeattoyouwhatItoldhimtheothernight？"

TheProfessorsatdownandhismouthgrewobstinate。

"Mr。Hoperelatedsomestoryyoutoldhimandothersaboutthismummyhavingbeenstolenfromyou。"

"Frommyfather，"correctedtheunsmilingPeruvian；keepingacarefuleyeonhishost；"thatisreallythecase。IncaCaxasis，orwas，myancestor，andthismanuscript"-DonPedroproducedthesamefromhisinnerpocket-"detailsthefuneralceremonies。"

"Veryinteresting；mostinteresting，"fussedBraddock，stretchingouthishand。"MayIseeit？"

"YoureadLatin，"observedDonPedro，surrenderingthemanuscript。

Braddockraisedhiseyebrows。

"Ofcourse，"hesaidsimply，"everywell-educatedmanreadsLatin，orshoulddoso。Wait，sir，untilIglancethroughthisdocument。"

"Onemoment，"saidDonPedro，astheProfessorbegantoliterallydevourthediscoloredpage。"YouknowfromHope，Ihavenodoubt，howIchanceuponmyownpropertyinEurope？"

Braddock，stillwithhiseyesonthemanuscript，mumbled"Yourownproperty。Quiteso:quiteso。"

"Youadmitthat。Thenyouwillnodoubtrestorethemummytome。"

BythistimethedriftofDonPedro’sobservationsentirelyreachedtheunderstandingofthescientist，andhedroppedthedocumenthewasreadingtoleaptohisfeet。

"Restorethemummytoyou！"hegasped。"Why，itismine。"

"Pardonme，"saidthePeruvian，stillgravelybutverydecisively，"youadmittedthatitbelongedtome。"

Braddock’sfacedeepenedtoafinepurple。

"Ididn’tknowwhatIwassaying，"heprotested。"HowcouldI

sayitwasyourpropertywhenIhaveboughtitforninehundredpounds？"

"Itwasstolenfromme。"

"Thathasgottobeproved，"saidBraddockcaustically。

DonPedrorose，lookingmorelike，DonQuixotethanever。

"Ihavethehonortogiveyoumywordand-"

"Yes，yes。Thatisallright。Icastnoimputationonyourhonor。"

"Ishouldthinknot，"saidtheothercoldlybutstrongly。

"Allthesame，youcanscarcelyexpectmetopartwithsovaluableanobject，"Braddockwavedhishandtowardsthecase，"withoutstrictinquiryintothecircumstances。Andagain，sir，evenifyousucceedinprovingyourownership，Iamnotinclinedtorestorethemummytoyoufornothing。"

"Butitisstolenpropertyyouarekeepingfromme。"

"Iknownothingaboutthat:Ihaveonlyyourbarewordthatitisso，DonPedro。AllIknowisthatIpaidninehundredpoundsforthemummyandthatitcostthebestpartofanotherhundredtobringittoEngland。WhatIhave，Ikeep。"

"Likeyourcountry，"saidthePeruviansarcastically。

Precisely，"repliedtheProfessorsuavely。"EveryEnglishmanhasabull-dogtenacityofpurpose。Bragisagooddog，DonPedro，butHoldfastisabetterone。"

"ThenIunderstand，"saidthePeruvian，stretchingouthishandtopickupthefallenmanuscript，"thatyouwillkeepthemummy。"

"Certainly，"saidBraddockcoolly，"sinceIhavepaidforit。

Also，Ishallkeepthejewels，whichthemanuscripttellsme-

fromtheglanceIobtainedofit-wereburiedwithit。"

"Thesolejewelsburiedaretwolargeemeraldswhichthemummyholdsinitshands，"explainedDonPedro，restoringthemanuscripttohispocket，"andIwishforthemsothatImaygetmoneytorestorethefortunesofmyfamily。"

"No！no！no！"saidBraddockforcibly。"Ihaveboughtthemummyandthejewelswithit。TheywillselltosupplymewithmoneytofitoutmyexpeditiontothetombofQueenTahoser。"

"Ishalldisputeyourclaim，"criedDeGayangos，losinghiscalmness。

Braddockwavedhishandwithsupremecontent。

"Icangiveyoutheaddressofmylawyers，"heretorted；"anystepsyouchoosetotakewillonlyresultinloss，andfromwhatyouhintIshouldnotthinkthatyouhadmuchmoneytospendonlitigation。"

DonPedrobithislip，andsawthatitwasindeedamoredifficulttaskthanhehadanticipatedtomakeBraddockyielduphisprize。

"IfyouwereinLima，"hemuttered，speakingSpanishinhisexcitement，"youwouldthenlearnthatIspeaktruly。"

"Idonotdoubtyourtruth，"answeredtheProfessorinthesamelanguage。

DeGayangoswheeledandfacedhishost，muchsurprised。

"Youspeakmytongue，senor？"hedemanded。

Braddocknodded。

"IhavebeeninSpain，andIhavebeeninPeru，"heanswereddryly，"thereforeIknowclassicalSpanishanditscolonialdialects。AstobeinginLama，Iwasthere，andIdonotwishtogothereagain，asIhadquiteenoughofthoseuncivilizedpartsthirtyyearsago，whenthecountrywasmuchdisturbedafteryourcivilwar。"

"YouwereinLimathirtyyearsago，"echoedDonPedro；"thenyouweretherewhenVasastolethismummy。"

"Idon’tknowwhostoleit，orevenifitwasstolen，"saidtheProfessorobstinately，"andIdon’tknowthenameofVasa。Ah！

nowIremember。YoungHopedidsaysomethingabouttheSwedishsailorwhomyousaidstolethemummy。"

"Vasadid，andbroughtittoEuropetosell-probablytothatmaninParis，whoafterwardssoldittoyourMaltesescollector。"

"Nodoubt，"rejoinedBraddockcalmly；"butwhathasallthistodowithme，DonPedro？"

"Iwantmymummy，"ragedtheother，andlookeddangerous。

"Thenyouwon’tgetit，"retortedBraddock，adoptingapugnaciousattitudeandquitecomposed。"Thismummyhascausedonedeath，DonPedro，andfromyourlooksIshouldthinkyouwouldlikeittocauseanother。"

"Willyounotbehonest？"

"I’llknockyourheadoffifyoubringmyhonestyintoquestion，"

criedtheProfessor，standingontip-toelikeabantam。"Thebestthingtodowillbetotakethematterintocourt。Thenthelawcandecide，andIhavelittledoubtbutwhatitwilldecideinmyfavor。"

TheEnglishmanandthePeruvianglaredatoneanother，andCockatoo，whowascrouchingonthefloor，glancedfromoneangryfacetoanother。Heguessedthatthewhitemenwerequarrelingandperhapswouldcometoblows。Itwasatthismomentthataknockcametothedoor，andaminutelaterArchieentered。

Braddockglancedathim，andtookasuddenresolutionashesteppedforward。

"Hope，youarejustintime，"hedeclared。"DonPedrostatesthatthemummybelongstohim，andIassertthatIhaveboughtit。Weshallmakeyouumpire。Hewantsit:Iwantit。Whatistobedone？"

"Themummyismyownfleshandblood，Mr，Hope，"saidDonPedro。

"Preciouslittleofeitheraboutit，"saidBraddockcontemptuously。

Archietwistedachairroundandstraddledhislonglegsacrossit，withhisarmsrestingonitsback。Hisquickbrainhadrapidlycomprehendedthesituation，and，beingacquaintedwithbothsidesofthequestion，itwasnotdifficulttocometoadecision。IfitwashardthatDonPedroshouldlosehisancestor’smummy，itwasequallyhardthatBraddock-orratherhimself-shouldlosethepurchasemoney，seeingthatithadbeenpaidingoodfaithtothesellerinMaltaforapresumablyrighteouslyacquiredobject。OnthesepremisestheyoungSolonproceededtodeliverjudgment。

"Iunderstand，"saidhejudiciously，"thatDonPedrohadthemummystolenfromhimthirtyyearsago，andthatyou，Professor，boughtitundertheimpressionthattheMalteseownerhadarighttopossessit。"

"Yes，"snappedBraddock，"andIdaresaytheMalteseownerthoughtsotoo，sinceheboughtitfromthatcollectorinParis。"

Hopenodded。

"AndifVasasoldittothemaninParis，"saidhecalmly，"hecertainlywouldnottellthepurchaserthathehadlootedthemummyinLima，andthepoormanwouldnotknowthathewasreceivingstolengoods。Isthatright，DonPedro？"

"Yes，sir，"saidthePeruvian，whohadrecoveredhistemperandhisgravity；"butIdeclaresolemnlythatthemummywasstolenfrommyfatherandshouldbelongtome。"

"Noonedisputesthat，"saidArchiecheerfully；"butitoughttobelongtotheProfessoralso，sincehehasboughtit。Now，asitcan’tpossiblybelongtotwopeople，wemustsplitthedifference。You，Professor，mustsellbackthemummytoDonPedroforthepriceyoupaidforit，andthen，DonPedro，youmustrecompenseProfessorBraddockforhisloss。"

"Ihavenotmuchmoney，"saidDonPedrogravely；"still，Iamwillingtodoasyousay。"

"Idon’tknowthatIam，"protestedBraddocknoisily。"Therearethetwoemeraldswhichareofimmensevalue，asDonPedrosays，andtheybelongtome，sincethemummyismyproperty。"

"Professor，"saidArchiesolemnly，"youmustdoright，evenifyoulosebyit。IbelievethestoryofSenorDeGayangos；andthemummywithitsjewelsbelongstohim。Besides，youonlywishtoseetheway，inwhichtheIncaraceembalmedtheirdead。

Well，then，unpackthemummyhereinthepresenceofDonPedro。

Whenyouhavesatisfiedyourcuriosity，andwhenSenorDeGayangossignsacheckforonethousandpounds，hecantakeawaythecorpse。Youhavehadsomuchtroubleoverit，thatIwonderyourarenotanxioustoseethelastofit。"

"ButtheemeraldswouldsellformuchmoneyandwoulddefraytheexpensesofmyexpeditionintoEgypttosearchforthatQueen’stomb。"

"IunderstoodfromLucythatMrs。Jasherintendedtofinancethatexpeditionwhenshebecameyourwife。"

"Humph！"mutteredBraddock，strokinghisfatthin。"IsaidafewfoolishthingstoherlastnightwhenIwasheatedup。Shemaynotforgiveme，Hope。"

"Awomanwillforgiveanythingtothemansheloves，"saidArchie。

Braddockwasnofool，andcouldnothelpcastingaglanceathistubbyfigure，whichwasreflectedinanearmirror。ItseemedincrediblethatMrs。Jashercouldlovehimforhislooks，andthefactthathemightsomedaybeabaronetdidnotstrikehimatthemomentasaconsideration。However，heforesawtroubleandexpenseshouldDonPedrogotolaw，asheseemeddeterminedtodo。Takingallthingsintoconsideration，BraddockthoughtthatArchie’sjudgmentwasagoodone，andyielded。

"Well，"hesaidafterreflection，"letusagree。Ishallopenthecaseandexaminethemummy，whichafterallisthereasonwhyIboughtit。WhenIhavesatisfiedmyselfastothedifferencebetweenthemodesofembalming，DonPedrocangivemeacheckandtakeawaythemummy。IonlyhopethathewillhavelesstroublewithitthanIhavehad，"and，sospeaking，Braddock，signingtoCockatootobringallthenecessarytools，laidhandsonthecase。

"Iamcontent，"saidDonPedrobriefly，andseatedhimselfinachairbesidetheyoungDanielwhohaddeliveredjudgment。

HopeofferedtoassisttheProfessortoopenthecase，butwasdismissedwithanabruptrefusal。

"ThoughIamgladyouarepresenttoseethemummyunpacked，"

saidBraddock，laboringatthelidofthecase，"foriftheemeraldsaremissing，DonPedromightaccusemeofstealingthem。"

"Whyshouldtheemeraldsbemissing？"askedHopequickly。

Braddockshruggedhisshoulders。

"SidneyBoltonwaskilled，"saidheinalowvoice，"anditwasnotlikelythatanyonewouldcommitamurderforthesakeofthismummy，andthenleaveitstrandedinMrs。Jasher’sgarden。

Ihavemydoubtsaboutthesafetyoftheemeralds，elseIwouldnothaveconsentedtosellthethingbackagain。"

Withthishonestspeech，theProfessorvigorouslyattackedthelidofthecase，andinsertedasteelinstrumentintothecrackstoprizeupthecovering。Thelidwasclosedwithwoodenpegsinanantiquebutperfectlysafemanner，andapparentlyhadnotbeenopenedsincethedeadIncahadbeenlaidtorestthereinhundredsofyearsagoamongtheAndeanmountains。DonPedrowincedatthisdesecrationofthedead，but，ashehadgivenhisconsent，therewasnothinglefttodobuttogrinandbearit。Inawonderfullyshortspaceoftime，consideringtheneatnessoftheworkmanshipandtheholdingpowerofthewoodenpegs，thelidwasremoved。Thenthefouron-lookerssawthatthemummyhadbeentamperedwith。Swathedingreen-stainedllamawool，itlayrigidinitscase。Buttheswathingshadbeencut；thehandsprotrudedandtheemeraldsweregone-tornrudelyfromthehardgripofthedead。

CHAPTERXV

ANACCUSATION

BothDonPedroandProfessorBraddockwereamazedandangryatthedisappearanceofthejewels，butHopedidnotexpressmuchsurprise。Consideringthefactsofthemurder，itwasjustwhatheexpected，althoughitmustbeconfessedthathewaswiseaftertheevent。

"Ireferyoutoyourownwordsimmediatelybeforethecasewasopened，Professor，"heremarked，afterthefirstsurprisehadsubsided。

"Words！words！"snappedBraddock，whowasanythingbutpleased。

"Whatwordsofminedoyoumean，Hope？"

"Yousaidthatitwasnotlikelythatanyonewouldcommitamurderforthesakeofthemummyonly，andthenleaveitstrandedinMrs。Jasher’sgarden。Also，youdeclaredthatyouhadyourdoubtsabout，thesafetyoftheemeralds，elseyouwouldnothaveconsentedtosellthemummyagaintoitsrightfulowner。"

TheProfessornodded。

"Quiteso:quiteso。AndwhatIsayIholdto，"heretorted，"especiallyasIhaveprovedmyselfatrueprophet。Youcanbothseeforyourselves，"hewavedhishandtowardstherifledcase，"thatpoorSidneymusthavebeenkilledforthesakeoftheemeralds。Thequestionis，whokilledhim？"

"Thepersonwhoknewaboutthejewels，"saidDonPedropromptly。

"Ofcourse:butwhodidknow？Iwasignorantuntilyoutoldmeaboutthemanuscript。Andyou，Hope？"HesearchedArchie’sface。

"Doyouintendtoaccuseme？"questionedtheyoungmanwithaslightlaugh。"Iassureyou，Professor，thatIwasignorantofwhathadbeenburiedwiththecorpse，untilDonPedrorelatedhisstorytheothernighttomyselfandRandom，andtheladies。"

BraddockturnedimpatientlytoDeGayangos，ashedidnotapproveofArchie’sapparentflippancy。

"Doesanyoneelseknowofthecontentsofthismanuscript？"hedemandedirritably。

DonPedronursedhischinandlookedmusinglyontheground。

"ItisjustpossiblethatVasamay。"

"Vasa？Vasa？Ohyes，thesailorwhostolethemummythirtyyearsagofromyourfatherinLima。Pooh！pooh！pooh！YoutellmethatthismanuscriptiswritteninLatin，andevidentlyinmonkishLatinatthat，whichisoftheworst。Yoursailorcouldnotreadit，andwouldnotknowthevalueofthemanuscript。Ifhehad，hewouldhavecarrieditoff。"

"Senor，"saidthePeruvianpolitely，"Ihaveanideathatmyfathermadeatranslationofthismanuscript，oratalleventsacopy。"

"ButIunderstood，"putinHope，stillastrideofhischair，"thatyoudidnotfindtheoriginalmanuscriptuntilyourfatherdied。"

"Thatisquitetrue，sir，"assentedtheotherreadily，"butI

didnottellyoueverythingtheothernight。MyfatheritwaswhofoundthemanuscriptatCuzco，andalthoughIcannotstateauthoritatively，yetIbelieveIamcorrectinsayingthathehadacopy。made。Butwhetherthecopywasmerelyatranscriptoractuallyatranslation，Icannottell。Ithinkitwastheformer，asifVasa，readingatranslation，hadlearnedofthejewels，heundoubtedlywouldhavestolenthembeforesellingthismummytotheParisiancollector。"

"Perhapshedid，"saidBraddock，pointingtotherifledcorpse。

"Youseethattheemeraldsaremissing。"

"Yourassistant’sassassinstolethem，"insistedDonPedrocoldly。

"Wecannotbesureofthat，"retortedtheProfessor，"althoughI

admitthatnomanwouldjeopardizehisneckforthesakeofacorpse。"

Archielookedsurprised。

"Butanenthusiastsuchasyouare，Professor，mightrisksomuch。"

ForonceinhislifeBraddockmadeagood-humoredreply。

"No，sir。NotevenforthismummywouldIplacemyselfinthepowerofthelaw。AndIdonotthinkthatanyotherscientistwouldeither。Wesavantsmaynotbeworldly，butwearenotfools。However，thefactremainsthatthejewelsaregone，andwhethertheywerestolenbyVasathirtyyearsago，orbypoorSidney’sassassintheotherday，Idon’tknow，and，whatismore，Idon’tcare。Ishallexaminethemummyfurther，andinacoupleofdaysDonPedrocanbringmeacheckforonethousandandremovehisancestor。"

"No！no！"criedthePeruvianhurriedly；"sincetheemeraldsaremissing，IamnotinapositiontopayyouonethousandEnglishpounds，sir。IwanttotakebackthebodyofIncaCaxastoLima；

asonemustshowrespecttoone’sancestors。Butthefactis，I

cannotpaythemoney。"

"Yousaidthatyoucould，"shoutedtheexasperatedProfessorinhisbullyingway。

"Iadmitit，senor，butIhadhopedtodosowhenIsoldtheemeralds，which-asyoucansee-arenotavailable。ThereforethebodyofmyroyalancestormustremainhereuntilIcanprocurethemoney。AnditmaybethatSirFrankRandomwillhelpmeinthismatter。"

"Hewouldn’thelpme，"snappedBraddock，"sowhyshouldhehelpyou？"

DonPedro，lookingmoredignifiedthanever，drewhimselfuptohistallheight。

"SirFrank，"hesaid，inastatelyway，"hagdonemethehonorofseekingtobemyson-in-law。Asmydaughterloveshim，Iamwillingtopermitthemarriage，butnowthatIhavelearnedtheemeraldsarelost，IshallnotconsentuntilSirFrankbuysthemummyfrontyou，Professor。Itisonlyrightthatmydaughter’shandshouldredeemherregalforefatherfrompurelyscientificsurroundingsandthatsheshouldtakethemummybacktobeburiedinLima。Atthesametime，sir，ImustsaythatIamtherightfulownerofthedead，andthatyoushouldsurrenderthemummytomefreeofcharge。"

"What，andloseathousandpounds！"criedBraddockfuriously。

"No，sir，Ishalldonothingofthesort。Youonlywantedthemummyforthesakeofthejewels，andnowthattheyarelost，youdonotcarewhatbecomesofyourconfoundedancestor，andyou-"

TheProfessorwouldhavegoneonstillmorefuriously，butthatHope，seeingDonPedrowasgrowingangryattheinsult，chimedin。

"Letmethrowoilonthetroubledwaters，"hesaid，smoothly。

"DonPedroisnotabletoredeemthemummyuntiltheemeraldsarefound。Assuchisthecase，wemustfindtheemeraldsandenablehimtodowhatisnecessary。"

"Andhowarewetofindthejewels？"askedBraddockcrossly。

"Byfindingtheassassin。"

"Howisthattobedone？"askedDeGayangosgloomily。"IhavebeendoingmybestatPierside，butIcannotfindasingleclue。

Vasaisnottobefound。"

"Vasa！"exclaimedArchieandtheProfessor，bothprofoundlyastonished。

DonPedroraisedhiseyebrows。

"Certainly。Vasa，ifanyone，musthavekilledyourassistant，sincehealonecouldhaveknownthatthejewelswereburiedwithIncaCaxas。"

"But，mydearsir，"arguedHopegood-naturedly，"ifVasastolethemanuscript，whethertranslatedornot，hecertainlymusthavelearnedthetruthlong，longago，sincethirtyyearshaveelapsed。Inthateventhemusthavestolenthejewels，asProfessorBraddockremarkedlately，beforehesoldthemummytotheParisiancollector。"

"Thatmaybeso，"saidDonPedroobstinately，whiletheProfessormutteredhisapproval，"butwecannotbecertainonthatpoint。

Noone-IagreewiththeProfessorinthis-wouldhaveriskedhisnecktostealameremummy，thereforethemotiveforthecommittalofthecrimemusthavebeentheemeralds。OnlyVasaknewoftheirexistenceoutsidemyselfandmydeadfather。He，therefore，mustbetheassassin。Ishallhuntforhim，and，whenIfindhim，Ishallhavehimarrested。"

"Butyoucan’tpossiblyrecognizethemanafterthirtyyears？"

arguedBraddockdisbelievingly。

"IHavearoyalmemoryforfaces，"saidDonPedroimperturbably，"andinthepastIsawmuchofVasa。Hewasthenayoungsailoroftwenty。"

"Humph！"mutteredBraddock。"Heisnowfifty，andmusthavechangedinthirtyyears。You’llneverrecognizehim。"

"Oh，Ithinkso，"saidthePeruviansmoothly。"Hiseyeswerepeculiarlyblueandfulloflight。Also，hehadascarontherighttemplefromablowwhichhereceivedinastreetriotinwhichIalsowasconcerned。Finally，gentlemen，Vasalovedapeongirlonmyfather’sestate，andsheinducedhimtohavethesunencircledbyaserpent-aPeruviansymbol-tattooedonhisleftwrist。Withallthesemarks，andwithmymemoryforfaces，whichneveryethasfailedme，IhavenodoubtbutwhatIshallrecognizetheman。"

"Andthen？"

"AndthenIshallhavehimarrested"

Hopeshruggedhissquareshoulders。HehadnotmuchbeliefinDonPedro’sboastedroyalmemory，anddidnotthinkthathewouldrecognizeayoungsailoroftwentyinwhatwouldcertainlybeagrizzledoldsaltoffiftyyears。However，itwaspossiblethatthemanmightberightinhissurmise，sinceVasaalonecouldhaveknownabouttheemeralds。Theonlydoubtwaswhetherhewouldhavewaitedforthirtyyearsbeforelootingthemummy。

Archiesaidnothingofthesethoughts，astheywouldonlyservetoprolonganunprofitablediscussion。Buthemadeonesuggestion。

"Yourbestplan，"hesaidsuggestively，"istowriteadescriptionofVasa-who，bytheway，hasprobablychangedhisname-andhandittothepolice，withthepromiseofarewardifheisfound。"

"Iamverypoor，senor。SurelytheProfessorhere-"

"Icanoffernothing，"saidBraddockquickly，"asIamquiteaspoorasyouare，ifnotmoreso，SirFrankmighthelp，"headdedsarcastically。

"Ishallnotask，"saidDonPedroloftily。"IfSirFrankchoosestobecomemyson-in-lawbypurchasingbackmyroyalancestor，towhichyouhavenoright，Iamwillingthatitshouldbeso。But，poorasIam，Ishallofferarewardmyself，sincethehonoroftheDeGayangosesisinvolvedinthismatter。Whatrewarddoyousuggest，Mr。Hope？"

"Fivehundredpounds，"saidtheProfessorquickly。

"Toomuch，"saidHopesharply-"fartoomuch。Maketherewardonehundredpounds，DonPedro。Thatisenoughtotemptmanyaman。"

ThePeruvianbowedandnoteddowntheamount。

"IshallgoatoncetoPiersideandseeInspectorDate，whohadtodowiththeinquest，"heremarked。"Meanwhile，Professor，pleasedonotdesecratemyroyalancestor’sbodymorethanyoucanhelp。"

"Ishallcertainlynotsearchforanymoreemeralds，"retortedBraddockdryly。"Now，clearout，bothofyou，andleavemetoexaminethemummy。Cockatoo，showthesegentlemenout，andletnooneelsein。"

DonPedroreturnedtotheWarriorHoteltoinformhisdaughterofwhathadtakenplace，withtheintentionofgoingintheafternoontoPierside。Meanwhile，hewroteoutafulldescriptionofVasa，makinganallowanceforthelapseofyearsandexplainingthescarandthesymbolontheleftwrist。HopealsosoughtLucyandrelatedthelatestdevelopmentofthecase。

Thegirlwasnotsurprised，asshelikewisebelievedthattheassassinhaddesiredmorethanthemummywhenhemurderedSidneyBolton。

"Mrs。Jasherdidnotknowabouttheemeralds？"sheaskedsuddenly。

"No，"repliedArchie，muchsurprised。"Surelyyoudonotsuspectherofhavingahandinthedevilment？"

"Certainlynot，"wasthepromptanswer。"OnlyIcannotunderstandhowthemummycametobeinhergarden。"

"Itwasbroughtupfromtheriver，Iexpect。"

"ButwhytoMrs。Jasher’sgarden？"

Hopeshookhishead。

"Icannottellthat。Thewholethingisamystery，andseemslikelytoremainso。"

"Itseemstome，"saidthegirl，afterapause，"thatitwouldbebestformyfathertoreturnthismummytoDonPedro，andhavedonewithit，sinceitseemstobringbadluck。ThenhecanmarryMrs。Jasher，andgotoEgyptonherfortunetoseekforthistomb。"

"IdoubtverymuchifMrs。JasherwillmarrytheProfessornow，afterwhathesaidlastnight。"

"Nonsense，myfatherwasinarageandsaidwhatfirstcameintohismind。Idaresaysheisangry。However，Ishallseeherthisafternoon，andputmattersright。"

"YouareveryanxiousthattheProfessorshouldmarrythelady。"

"Iam，"repliedLucyseriously，"asIwanttoleavemyfathercomfortablysettledwhenImarryyou。ThesoonerhemakesMrs。

Jasherhiswife，thereadierwillhebetoletmego，andIwanttomarryyouassoonasIpossiblycan。IamtiredofGartleyandofthispresentlife。"

OfcoursetothisspeechArchiecouldmakeonlyoneanswer，andasthattooktheformofkissing，itwasentirelysatisfactorytoMissKendal。ThentheydiscussedthefutureandalsotheproposedengagementofSirFrankRandomtothePeruvianlady。

Butbothleftthesubjectofthemummyalone，astheywerequitewearyofthematter，andneithercouldsuggestasolutionofthemystery。

MeanwhileProfessorBraddockhadpassedaverypleasanthourinexaminingtheswathingsofthemummy。Buthispleasurewasdestinedtobecutshortsoonerthanhedesired，asCaptainHiramHerveyunexpectedlyarrived。AlthoughCockatoo-ashehadbeeninstructed-didhisbesttokeephimout，thesailorforcedhiswayin，andheraldedhisappearancebythrowingtheKanakahead-foremostintothemuseum。

"Whatdoesthismean？"demandedthefieryProfessor，whileCockatoo，withanangryexpression，struggledtohisfeet，andHervey，smokinghisinevitablecheroot，stoodonthethreshold-

"howdareyoutreatmypropertyinthiscarelessway。"

"Guessyourpropertyshouldbehaveitselfthen，"saidthecaptainincarelesstones，andsaunteredintotheroom。"D’ythinkI’mgoin’tobechuckedoutbyameaslyniggerand-GreatScott！"-

thislatterexclamationwasextortedbythesightofthemummy。

BraddockmotionedtothestillangryCockatootomoveaside，andthennoddedtriumphantly。

"Youdidn’texpecttoseethat，didyou？"heasked。

Herveycametoanchoronachairandturnedthecherootinhismouthwithanoddlookatthemummy。

"Whenwillhebehanged？"

Braddockstared。

"Whenwillwhobehanged？"

"Themanasstolethatthing。"

"Wehaven’tfoundhimyet，"Braddockinformedhimswiftly。

"Thenhowincreationdidyouannexthecorpse。"

TheProfessorsatdownandexplained。Thelean，longmarinerlistenedquietly，onlynoddingatintervals。HedidnotseemtobesurprisedwhenheheardthatthecorpseoftheheadIncahadbeenfoundinMrs。Jasher’sgarden，especiallywhenBraddockexplainedthewhereaboutsoftheproperty。

"Wal，"hedrawled，"thatdon’tmakemyhairstandonend。I

guessthegardenwasonhiswayandheuseditforacemetery。"

"Whatareyoutalkingabout？"demandedtheperplexedscientist。

"Aboutthemanwhostrangledyourhelpandyankedawaythecorpse。"

"ButIdon’tknowwhoheis。Nobodyknows。"

"Goslow。Ido。"

"You！"BraddockstartedandflunghimselfacrosstheroomtoseizeHerveybythelapelsofhisreefercoat。"Youknow。Tellmewhoheis，sothatIcangettheemeralds。"

"Emeralds！"HerveyremovedBraddock’splumphandsandstaredgreedily。

"Don’tyouknow？No，ofcourseyoudon’t。Buttwoemeraldswereburiedwiththemummy，andtheyhavebeenstolen。"

"Whoby？"

"Nodoubtbytheassassinwhomurderedpoor"Sidney。"

Herveyspatonthefloor，andhisweather-beatenfacetookonanexpressionof，profoundregret。

"IguessI’mafoolofthebest。"

"Why？"askedBraddock，againpuzzled。

"Tothink，"saidHervey，addressingthemummy，"thatyouwereonboardmyboat，andIneverlootedyou。"

"What！"Braddockstamped。"Wouldyouhavecommittedtheft？"

"Theftbehanged！"wasthereply。"Itain’tthievingtolootthedead。Iguessacorpsehasn’tgotanyuseforjewels。YoubetI’dhavegummedstraightwaysontothatmummy，whenIbroughtitfromMaltaintheoldDiver，hadIknownitwasajeweler’sshopofsorts。Huh！Twoemeralds，andIneverknew。Icouldkickmyself。"

"Youareablackguard，"gaspedtheastonishedProfessor。