第5章
"Oh，shucks！"wastheelegantretort，"giveitarest。I’mnoworsethanthatdandygentlemanwhoaddedmurdertostealing，anyhow。"
"Ah！"Braddockboundedoffhischairlikeanindia-rubberball，"yousaidthatyouknewwhohadcommittedthemurder。"
"Wal，"drawledHerveyagain，"IdoandIdon’t。ThatisI
suspect，butIcan’tsweartothebusinessbeforeajudge。"
"WhokilledBolton？"askedtheProfessorfuriously。"Tellmeatonce。"
"Notme，unlessit’smadeworthmywhile。"
"Itwillbe，byDonPedro。"
"Thatyellow-stomach。What’shegottodowithit？"
"Ihavejusttoldyouthemummybelongstohim；hecametoEuropetofindit。Hewantstheemeralds，andintendstoofferarewardofonehundredpoundsforthediscoveryoftheassassin。"
Herveyarosebriskly。
"I’mrightonthejob，"saidhe，saunteringtothedoor。"I’llgotothatoldinnofyours，whereyousaytheDon’sstopping，andlookhimup。GuessI’lltrade。"
"ButwhokilledBolton？"askedBraddock，runningtothedoorandgrippingHerveybyhiscoat。
Themarinerlookeddownontheanxiousfaceoftheplumplittlemanwithagrimsmile。
"Icantellyou，"saidhe，"asyoucan’tfigureoutthebusiness，unlessI’montheracket。No，sir；I’mthewhiteboyinthincircus。"
TheProfessorshooktheleansailorinhisanxiety。
"Whoishe？"
"Thatalmightyaristocratthatcameonboardmyship，whenIlayintheThamesontheveryafternoonIarrivedwithBolton。"
"Whodoyoumean？"demandedBraddock，moreandmoreperplexed。
"SirFrankRandom。"
"What！didhekillBoltonandstealmymummy？"
"AndhideitinthatgardenonhiswaytotheFort？Iguesshedid。"
TheProfessorsatdownandclosedhiseyeswithhorror。Whenheopenedthemagain，Herveywasgone。
CHAPTERXVI
THEMANUSCRIPTAGAIN
ButtheProcessorwasnotgoingtoletCaptainHerveyescapewithoutgivinghimfullinformation。BeforetheYankeeskippercouldreachthefrontdoor，Braddockwasathisheels，gaspingandblowinglikeagrampus。
"Comeback，comeback。Tellmeall。"
"Ireckonnot，"rejoinedthemariner，removingBraddock’sgrip。
"Youain’ttheonetogivethemoney。I’llgototheDon，ortoInspectorDateofPierside。"
"ButSirFrankmustbeinnocent，"insistedBraddock。
"He’sgottoproveit，"wasthedryresponse。"Letmego。"
"No。Youmusttellmeonwhatgrounds-"
"Oh，thedeviltakeyou！"saidHerveyhastily，andsatdownononeofthehallchairs。"It’sthisway，sinceyouwon’tletmeskipuntilItellyou。ThisalmightyaristocratcametoPiersideonthesameafternoonasIcast，anchor。WhileBoltonwasonboard，helookedintohaveayarnofsorts。"
"Whatabout？"
"Now，howincreationshouldIknow？"snappedtheskipper。"I
wasn’tonhand，asI’denoughtodowithunloadingcargo。ButhislordshipwentwithBoltontothestate-room，andtheytalkedforhalfanhour。Whentheycameout，Isawthathislordshiphadhishairriz，andheardhimsayingthingstoBolton。"
"Whatsortofthings？"
"Well，forone，hesaid，`You’llrepentofthis，’andthenagain，`Yourlifeisn’tsafewhileyoukeepit。’"
"Meaningthemummy？"
"Ireckonthat’sso，unlessIammistaken，"saidHerveyserenely。
"Whydidn’tyougototh，policewiththisinformation？"
"Me？Notmuch。Why，Isawnowayofmakingdollars。Andthen，again，Ididnotthinkofputtingthingstogether，untilIfoundthathislorship"
"MeaningSirFrank，"interpolatedtheProfessor，frowning。
"I’mtalkingQueen’s，orKing’s，orRepublicanlingo，Iguess，andIdomeanhislorship，"saidtheskipperdryly-"untilI
foundthathislorshiphadbeeninthepublic-housewherethecrimewascommitted。"
"TheSailor’sRest？Whendidhegothere？"
"Intheevening。AfterhistalkwithBolton，andafterarow-
astheybothseemedtohavetheirhairoff-heskippedoverthesideandwentbacktohisyacht，whichwasn’tfaraway。BoltontookhisblamedmummyashoreandgotfixedattheSailor’sRest。
Igatheredafterwards，fromthesecondmateofTheDiver(whichain’tmyshipnow)，thathislorshipcameintothehotelandhadadrink。AfterwardsmysecondmatesawhimtalkingtoBoltonthroughthewindow。"
"Inthesameplaceasthewomantalked？’questionedtheProfessor。
"That’sso，onlyitwaslaterintheeveningthatthewomancamealongtogivechin-musicthroughthewindow。Iamboundtosay，"
addedthecaptaingenerously，"thatnooneIcanplacemyhandonsawhislorshiploafingaboutthehotelafterdark。Butwhatofthat？Hemayhavelaidhisplans，andarrangedforthecorpsetobefoundlater，inthatblamedpackingcase。"
"Isthisallyourevidence？"
"It’senough，Iguess。"
"Nottoprocureawarrant。"
"Why，amanintheStateswouldbeelectrocutedonhalftheevidence。"
"Idaresay，"retortedthelittlemanwithcontempt，"butweareinalandwherejusticeofthepurestprevails。Allyourevidenceiscircumstantial。Itprovesnothing。"
Thecaptainwasconsiderablynettled。
"IcalculatethatitprovesSirFrankwantedthemummy，elsewhydidhecomeonboardmyshiptoseeyourinfernalassistant。ThewordsheusedshowedthathewaswarningBoltonhowhe’ddoforhim。Andthenhetalkedthroughthewindow，andwasinthepublic-house，whichain’taplaceforanalmightyaristocrattoshelterin。Iguesshe’sthemanwantedbythepolice。Why，"
addedHervey，warmingtohistale，"he’daslap-upyachtlayingneartheblamedhotel，andcouldeasilyshipthecorpse，afterslippingitthroughthewindow。Whenhegottiredofit，andlootedtheemeralds，hetookitbyboat，belowtheFort，toMrs。
Jasher’sgardenandleftitthere，soastopullthewoolovertheeyesofthepolice。It’sasclearasmudtome。Yousearchhislorship’sshanty，andyou’llfindtheemeralds。"
"Itisstrange，"mutteredBraddockunwillingly。
"Strange，butnottrue，"saidavoicefromtheheadofthestairs，andyoungHopecamedownleisurely，withapaleface，butaverydeterminedair。"Randomisabsolutelyinnocent。"
"Howdoyouknow？"demandedtheskippercontemptuously。
"BecauseheisanEnglishgentlemanandmyverygoodfriend。"
"Huh！Iguessthatdefensewon’tsavehimfrombeinglynched。"
MeanwhileBraddockwaslookingirritablyatArchie。
"You’vebeenlisteningtoaprivateconversation，sir。Howdareyoulisten？"
"Ifyouholdprivateconversationsatthetopofyourvoice’sinthehall，youmustbeexpectedtobelistenedto，"saidArchiecoolly。"Ipleadguilty，andIamnotsorry。"
"Whendidyoucome？"
"IntimetohearallthatCaptainHerveyhasexplained。IwaschattingwithLucy，andhadjustlefther，whenIheardyourloudvoices。"
"HasLucyheardanything？"
"No。Sheisbusyinherroom。ButI’lltellher，"Hopeturnedtomountthestairs；"shelikesRandom，andwillnomorebelievehimguiltythanIdoatthispresentmoment。"
"Stop！"criedBraddock，flyingforwardtopullHopeback，asheplacedhisfootonthefirststair。"TellLucynothingjustnow。
WemustgototheFort，you-andI，toseeRandom。Hervey，youcomealso，andthenyoucanaccuseSirFranktohisface。"
"Ifhedarestodoit！"saidArchie，wholookedandfeltindignant。
"Oh，I’llaccusehimrightenoughwhenthetimecomes，"saidHerveyinhiscoolestmanner，"butthetimeisn’tnow。Savy！I
amgoingtoseetheDonfirstandmakesureofthisreward。"
"Faugh！"criedHopewithdisgust，"Blood-money！"
"Whatofthat？Ifsamanisamurdererheshouldbelynched。"
"Myfriend，SirFrankRandom，isnomurderer。"
"He’sgottoprove，that，asIsaidbefore，"rejoinedtheYankeeinacalmway，andstrolledtothedoor。"So-long，gentsboth。
I’lllightoutfortheWarriorInnandplaymycards。AndImaytellyou，"headded，pausingatthedoor，whichheopened，"thatIhaven’tgotthatblamedwind-jammer，soneedmoneytoholdoutuntilanothersteamercomesalong。OnehundredpoundsEnglishcurrencywilljustfillthebill。SonowyouknowthelayI’mon。So-long，"andhewalkedquietlyoutofthehouse，leavingArchieandBraddocklookingatoneanotherwithpalefaces。TheassuranceofHerveysurprisedandhorrifiedthem。Still，theycouldnotbelievethatSirFrankRandomhadbeenguiltyofsobrutalacrime。
"Foronething，"saidHopeafterapause，"Randomdidnotknowwheretheemeraldsweretobefound，oreventhattheyexisted。"
"Iunderstoodthathedidknow，"saidBraddockreluctantly。"Inmyhearing，andinyourown，youheardDonPedrostatethathehadrelatedthestoryofthemanuscripttoRandom。"
"YouforgetthatIlearnedabouttheemeraldsatthesametime，"
saidHopequietly。"YetthisYankeeskipperdoesnotaccuseme。
TheknowledgeoftheemeraldscametoRandom’searsandtominelongafterthecrimewascommitted。TohaveamotiveforkillingBoltonandstealingtheemeralds，RandomwouldhavehadtoknowwhenhearrivedinEngland。"
"Andwhyshouldhehavenotknown？"askedtheProfessor，bitinghislipvexedly。"Idon’twanttoaccuseRandom，oreventodoubthim，asheisaverygoodfellow，eventhoughherefusedtoassistmewithmoneywhenIdesiredarewardtobeoffered。Allthesame，hemetDonPedroinGenoa，anditisjustpossiblethatthemantoldhimofthejewelsburiedwiththemummy。"
Archieshookhishead。
"Idoubtthat，"saidhethoughtfully。"Randomwasasastonishedastherestofus，whenDonPedrotoldhisArabianNightstory。
However，thepointcanbeeasilySettledbysendingforRandom。
IdaresayheisattheFort。"
"IshallsendCockatooforhimatonce，"saidtheProfessorquickly，andwalkedintothemuseumtoinstructtheKanaka。
Archieremainedwherehewas，andseatedhimselfonachair，withfoldedarmsandknittedbrows。ItwasincrediblethatanEnglishgentlemanwithastainlessnameandsuchawell-knownsoldiershouldcommitsoterribleacrime。AndthematterofHervey’saccusationwascomplicatedbythefact-ofwhichHerveywasignorant-thatDonPedrowaswillingthatRandomshouldbecomehisson-in-law。Hopewonderedwhatthefiery，proudPeruvianwouldsaywhenheheardhisfrienddenounced。HisreflectionsonthispointwerecutshortbythereturnoftheProfessor，whoappearedatthedoorofthemuseumdismissingCockatoo。WhentheKanakatookhisdeparture，Braddockbeckonedtotheyoungman。
"Thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldtalkinthehall，andletthewholehouseknowofthisnewdifficulty，"hesaidinatestymanner。"Comeinhere。"
Hopeenteredandlookedwithill-concealedrepugnanceattheuncannyshapeofthegreenmummy，whichwaslyingonalongtable。Heexaminedtheportionswheretheswathingshadbeencutwithsomesharpinstrument，torevealthedry，bonyhands，whichformerlyhadheldthecostlyjewels。Thefacewasinvisibleandcoveredwithamaskofdullbeatengold。Formerlytheeyeshadbeenjeweled，buttheselastwerenowabsent。HepointedoutthemasktotheProfessor，whowashoveringovertheweirddeadwithalargemagnifying-glass。
"Itisstrange，"saidHopeearnestly，"thatthemaskofgoldwasnotstolenalso，sinceitissovaluable。"
"Unlessmelteddown，themaskcouldbetraced，"saidBraddockafterapause。"Thejewels，accordingtoDonPedro，areofimmensevalue，andsocouldhavebeengotridofeasily。Randomwassatisfiedwiththose。"
"Don’ttalkofhiminthatway，asthoughhisguiltwascertain，"
saidHope，wincing。
"Well，youmustadmitthattheevidenceagainsthimisstrong。"
"Butpurelycircumstantial。"
"Circumstantialevidencehashangedmanyaninnocentmanbeforenow。Humph！"saidBraddockuneasily，"Ihopeitwon’thangourfriend。However，weshallhearwhathehastosay。IhavesentCockatoototheForttobringhimhereatonce。IfRandomisabsent，Cockatooistoleaveanoteinhisroom，onthewriting-table。"
"WoulditnothavebeenbettertohavetoldCockatootogivethenotetoRandom’sservant？"
"Ithinknot，"respondedBraddockdryly。"Random’sservantiscertainlyoneofthemoststupidmenintheentirearmy。Hewouldprobablyforgettogivehimthenote，andasitisimportantthatweshouldseeRandomatonce，itisbetterthatheshouldfinditplacedpersonallyonhiswriting-tablebyCockatoo，uponwhomIcandepend。"
Archieabandonedtheargument，asitreallymatteredverylittle。
Hetookupanotherlineofconversation。
"Iexpectifthecriminaltriestodisposeoftheemeraldshewillbecaught，"saidhe:"suchlargejewelsaretoonoticeabletoescapecomment。"
"Humph！Itdependsupontheclevernessofthethief，"saidtheProfessor，whowasmoretakenupwiththemummythanwiththeconversation，"Hemighthavethejewelscutintosmallerstones，orhemightgotoIndiaanddisposeofthemtosomeRajah，whowouldcertainlysaynothing。Idon’tknowhowcriminalsactmyself，asIhaveneverstudiedtheirmethods。ButIhopethattheclueyoumentionwillbehitupon，ifonlyforRandom’ssake。"
"Idon’tbelieveforonemomentthatRandomisindanger，"saidArchie，"and，ifheis，Ishallturndetectivemyself。"
"Iwishyoujoy，"repliedBraddock，bendingoverthemummy。
"Look，Hope，atthewonderfulcolorofthiswool。Therearesomeartswehavelostcompletely-dyeingofthissurprisingbeautyisone。Humph！"musedthearchaeologist，"Iwonderwhythisparticularmummyisdyedgreen，orratherwhyitiswrappedingreenbandages。YellowwastheroyalcoloroftheancientPeruvianmonarchs。Vicunawooldyedyellow。Whatdoyouthink，Hope？Itisstrange。"
Archieshruggedhisshoulders。
"Icansaynothing，becauseIknownothing，"hesaidsharply。
"AllIdoknowis，thatIwishthispreciousmummyhadneverbeenbroughthere。Ithascausedtroubleeversinceitsarrival。"
"Well，"saidBraddock，surveyingthedeadwithsomedisfavor，"I
mustsaythatIshallbegladtoseethelastofitmyself。I
knownowallthatIwantedtoknow！Humph！IwonderifDonPedrowillallowmetostripthemummy？Ofcourse！Itisminenothis。Ishallunswatheitentirely，"andBraddockwasabouttolaysacrilegious，handsonthedead，whenCockatooenteredbreathlessly。HehadbeensoquickthathemusthaveruntotheFortandbackagain。
"Iknockatdoor，"saidtheKanaka，deliveringhismessage，"andIhearnovoice。Igoinandfindnoone，soIputtheletteronthetable。Icomedownandask，andasoldiertellsme，sir，hismasteriscomingbackinhalfanhour。"
"Youshouldhavewaited，"saidBraddock，wavingCockatooaside。
"ComealongwithmetotheFort，Hope。"
"ButRandomwillcomehereassoonashereturns。"
"Verylikely，butIcan’twait。Iamanxioustohearwhathehastosayinhisdefense。Come，Cockatoo，mycoat，myhat，mygloves。Stiryourself，youscoundrel！"
Archiewasnotunwillingtogo，sincehewasanxiousalsotohearwhatRandomwouldsaytotheabsurdaccusationbroughtagainsthimbytheYankee。Inafewminutesthetwomenwerewalkingsmartlydowntheroadthroughthevillage，theProfessorstrivingtokeepupwithHope’slongerlegsbytrottingashardashecould。Halfwaydownthevillagetheymetatrap，andinitCaptainHerveybeingdriventotheJessumrailwaystation。
"HaveyouseenDonPedro？"askedtheProfessor，stoppingthevehicle。
"Ireckonnot，"answeredHerveystolidly。"He’sgoneintoPiersidetoseethepolice。I’mofftherealso。"
"Youhadbettercomewithus，"saidArchiesternly；-"wearegoingtoseeSirFrankRandom。"
"Givehimmyrespects，"saidtheskippercold-bloodedly，"andsaythathe’sworthonehundredpoundstome，"hewavedhishandandthetrapmovedaway，buthelookedbackwithawrysmile。
"SayI’llsquarethematterfordoublethemoneyandcommandofhisyacht。"
BraddockandArchielookedafterthetrapindisgust。
"Whatascoundrelthemanis！"saidtheProfessorpettishly；
"he’dsellhisfatherforwhathecouldget。"
"Itshowshowmuchhiswordistobedependedupon。IexpectthisaccusationofRandomisaput-upjob。"
"Ihopeso，forRandom’ssake，"saidBraddock，trottingbrisklyalong。
InashorttimetheyarrivedattheFortandwereinformedthatSirFrankhadnotyetreturned，butwasexpectedbackeverymoment。Inthemeanwhile，asBraddockandHopewerebothextremelywellknown，theywereshownintoRandom’squarters，whichwereonthefirstfloor。Whenthesoldier-servantretiredandthedoorwasclosed，Hopeseatedhimselfnearthewindow，whileBraddocktrottedround，lookingintothings。
"It’sadogkennel，"saidtheProfessor。"ItoldRandomthat。"
"Perhapsweshouldhavewaitedhiminthemess，"suggestedArchie。
"No！no！no！Wecouldn’ttalkthere，withalotofsillyyoungfoolshangingabout。ItoldRandomthatIwouldneverenterthemess，soheinvitedmetocomealwaystohisquarters。HewasinlovewithLucythen，"chuckledtheProfessor，"andnothingwastoogoodforme。"
"Noteventhedogkennel，"saidHopedryly，fortheProfessor’schatterwassorudeastobequiteannoying。
"Pooh！pooh！pooh！Randomdoesn’tmindajoke。You，Hope，havenosenseofhumor。YournameisScotchalso。IbelieveyouareaCaledonian。"
"Iamnothingofthesort。Iwasbornonthissideoftheborder。"
"YoumighthavebeenbornattheNorthPoleforallIcare，"saidthelittlemanpolitely。"Idon’tlikeartists:theyareusuallysilly。IwishLucyhadmarriedamanofscience。Nowdon’ttalkrubbish。Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay。"
"Well，"saidArchie，humoringhim，"whatamIgoingtosay？"
Thisnon-plussedtheirritablesavant。
"Hum！Hum！hum！Idon’tknowanddon’tcare。Pouf！Howhotthisroomis！WhatanumberofbooksoftravelRandomhas！"
Braddockwasnowatthebookcase，whichconsistedofshelvesswungbycordsagainstthewall。
"Randomtravelsagreatdeal，"Archieremindedhim。
"Quiteso:quiteso。Wasteshismoneyonthatsillyyacht。Buthehasn’ttraveledinSouthAmerica。Iexpecthe’sgoingthere。
Comehere，Hope，andseethemany，manybooksaboutPeruandChiliandBrazil。Theremustbeadozen，andalllibrarybookstoo。"
Archiesaunteredtowardstheshelves。
"IexpectRandomisgettingupthesubjectofSouthAmerica，soastotalktoDonnaInez。"
"Probably！probably！"snappedBraddock，pullingseveralofthebooksoutofplace。"Why，thereisn’ta-Ah，dearme！Whatacatastrophe！"
Hemightwellsayso，forinhisdesiretoexaminethebooks，theyalltippedofftheshelvesandlayinadisorderlyheaponthefloor。Hopebegantopickthemupandreplacethem，andsodidtheauthorofthemischief。Amongthebookswereseveralpapersscribbledwithnotes，andBraddockbundledtheseallinaheap……Shortly，hecaughtsightofthewritingonone。
"Hullo！Latin，"saidhe，andreadalineortwo。"Oh！"hegasped，"Hope！Hope！ThemanuscriptofDonPedro！"
"Impossible！"
Archieroseandstaredatthediscoloredpaper。
"Sorrytohavekeptyou，"saidRandom，enteringatthismoment。
"Youvillain！"shoutedBraddockfuriously，"soyouareguiltyafterall？"
CHAPTERXVII
CIRCUMSTANTIALEVIDENCE
RandomwassotakenabackbythefierceaccusationoftheProfessorthathestoodsuddenlystillatthedoor，anddidnotadvanceintotheroom。Yethedidnotlooksomuchafraidaspuzzled。WhateverBraddockmighthavethought，Hope，fromtheexpressionontheyoungsoldier’sface，wasmorethaneversatisfiedofhisinnocence。
"Whatareyoutalkingabout，Professor？"askedRandom，genuinelysurprised。
"Youknowwellenough，"retortedtheProfessor。
"UponmywordIdon’t，"saidtheother，walkingintotheroomandunbucklinghissword。"Ifindyouhere，withthecontentsofmybookcaseonthefloor，andyoupromptlyaccusemeofbeingguilty。Ofwhat，Ishouldliketoknow？PerhapsyoucantellmeHope。"
"ThereisnoneedforHopetotellyou，sir。Youareperfectlywellawareofyourownvillainy。"
Randomfrowned。
"Iallowacertainamountoflatitudetomyguests，Professor，"
hesaidwithmarkeddignity，"butforamanofyourageandpositionyougotoofar。Bemoreexplicit。"
"Allowmetospeak，"intervenedArchie，anticipatingBraddock。
"Random，theProfessorhasjusthadavisitfromCaptainHiramHervey，whowastheskipperofTheDiver。HeaccusesyouofhavingmurderedBolton"
"What？"thebaronetstartedback，lookingthunderstruck。
"Waitamoment。Ihavenotfinishedyet。Herveyaccusesyouofthismurder，ofstealingthemummy，ofgainingpossessionoftheemeralds，andofplacingtherifledcorpseinMrs。Jasher’sgarden，sothatshemightbeaccusedofcommittingthecrime。"
"Exactly，"criedBraddock，seeingthathishostremainedsilentfromsheersurprise。"Hopehasstatedthecaseveryclearly。
Now，sir，yourdefense？"
"Defense！defense！"Randomfoundhistongueatlastandspokeindignantly。"Ihavenodefensetomake。"
"Ah！Thenyouacknowledgeyourguilt？"
"Iacknowledgenothing。Theaccusationistoopreposterousforanydenialtobenecessary。Doyoubelievethisofme？"Helookedfromonetotheother。
"Idon’t，"saidArchiequickly，"thereissomemistake。"
"Thankyou，Hope。Andyou，Professor？"
Braddockfidgetedabouttheroom。
"Idon’tknowwhattothink，"hesaidatlength。"Herveyspokeverydecisively。"
"Oh，indeed，"returnedRandomdryly，and，walkingtothedoor，helockedit。"Inthatcase，Imustaskyouforanexplanation，andneitherofyoushallleavethisroomuntiloneisgiven。Yourproofs？"
"Hereisoneofthem，"snappedBraddock，throwingthemanuscriptonthetable。"Wheredidyougetthis？"
Randomtookupthediscoloredpaperwithabewilderedair。
"Ineverseteyesonthisbefore，"hesaid，muchpuzzled。"Whatisit？"
"AcopyofthemanuscriptmentionedbyDonPedro，whichdescribesthetwoemeraldsburiedwiththemummyofIncaCaxas"
"Isee。"Randomunderstoodallinamoment。"SoyousaythatI
knewoftheemeraldsfromthis，andsomurderedBoltontoobtainthem。"
"Pardonme，"saidBraddockwithelaboratepoliteness。"Herveysaysthatyoumurderedmypoorassistant，andalthoughmydiscoveryofthismanuscriptprovesthatyoumusthaveknownaboutthejewels，Isaynothing。Iwaittohearyourdefense。"
"That’sverygoodofyou，"remarkedSirFrankironically。"SoitseemsthatIaminthedock。Perhapsthecounselfortheprosecutionwillstatetheevidenceagainstme，"andhelookedagainfromonetotheother。
Archieshookthebaronetbythehandverywarmly。
"Mydearfellow，"hedeclareddecidedly，"Idon’tbelieveonewordoftheevidence。"
"Inthatcasetheremustbeaflawinit，"retortedRandom，butdidnotseemtobeunmovedbyHope’sgenerousaction。"Sitdown，Professor；itappearsthatyouareagainstme。"
"UntilIhearyourdefense，"saidtheoldmanobstinately。
"IcannotmakeanyuntilIhearyourevidence。Goon。Iamwaiting，"andSirFrankflunghimselfintoachair，wherehesatcalmly，hiseyessteadilyfixedontheProfessor’sface。
"Wheredidyougetthatmanuscript？"askedBraddocksharply。
"Igotitnowhere:thisisthefirsttimeIhaveseenit。"
"Yetitwashiddenamongstyourbooks。"
"ThenIcan’tsayhowitgotthere。Wereyoulookingforit，？"
"No！Certainlynot。Topassthetimewhilewaiting，Iexaminedyourlibrary，andinpullingoutabook，yourcase，beingaswingone，over-balancedandshotitscontentsontothefloor。
Amongstthepaperswhichfellwiththebooks，Icaughtaglimpseofthemanuscript，and，notingthatitwaswritteninLatin，I
pickeditup，surprisedtothinkthatafrivolousyoungman，suchasyouare，shouldstudyadeadlanguage。AfewwordsshowedmethatthemanuscriptwasacopyoftheonereferredtobyDonPedro。"
"Onemoment，"saidArchie，whohadbeenthinking。"Perhapsthisistheoriginalmanuscript，whichDeGayangoshasgiventoyou，Random。"
"Itisgoodofyoutoaffordmealoopholeofescape，"saidSirFrank，leaningbackwithfoldedarms，"butDeGayangosgavemenothing。Isawthemanuscriptinhishands，whenheshowedittousallatMrs。Jasher’s。ButwhetherthisistheoriginaloracopyIcan’tsay。DonPedrocertainlydidnotgiveittome。"
"HasDonPedrobeeninyourquarters？"askedHopethoughtfully。
"No。Hehasonlyvisitedmeinthemess。AndevenifDonPedrodidcomeinhere-forIguesswhatisinyourmind-Ireallydonotseewhyheshouldslipamanuscriptwhichhevalueshighlyamongstmybooks。"
"Thenyoureallyneversawthisbefore？"saidBraddock，indicatingthepaperonthetable，andimpressedbyRandom’searnestness。
"Howoftendoyouwantmetodenyit？"retortedtheyoungmanimpatiently。"PerhapsyouwillstateonwhatgroundsIamaccused？"
Braddocknoddedandclearedhisthroat。
"CaptainHerveydeclaredthatyouryachtarrivedatPiersidealmostatthesametimeashissteamer。"
"Quiteright。WhenDonPedroreceivedawirefromMaltastatingthatthemummyhadbeensoldtoyou，andthatitwasbeingshippedtoLondononTheDiver，Igotupsteamatonce，andchasedthetramptothatport。Asthetrampwasslow，andmyboatwasfast，Iarrivedonthesamedayandalmostatthesamehour，eventhoughHervey’sboathadthestartofmine。"
"WhywereyouanxioustofollowTheDiver？"askedHope。
"DonPedrowishedtogetbackthemummy，andaskedmetofollow。
AsIwasinlovewithDonnaInez，andstillam，Iwasonlytoowillingtoobligehim。"
Braddocknoddedagain。
"HerveysaysthatyouwentonboardTheDiver，andhadaninterviewwithBolton。"
"Thatisperfectlytrue，andmyvisitwaspaidforthesamereasonasIfollowedthesteamertoLondon-thatis，IactedonbehalfofDonPedro。Iwishedtoascertainforcertainthatthemummywasonboard，andhavingdonesofromBolton，Iurgedhimtoinduceyoutogivebackthesame，freeofcharge，toDeGayangos，fromwhomithadbeenstolen。Herefused，ashedeclaredthatheintendedtodeliverittoyou。"
"IknewIcouldalwaystrustBolton，"saidtheProfessorenthusiastically。"Itwouldhavebeenbetterforyoutohavecometome，Random。"
"Idaresay；butIwished，asItoldyou，tomakecertainthatthemummywasonboard。Thatwastherealreasonformyvisit；but，beinginBolton’scompany，InaturallytoldhimthatDonPedroclaimedthemummyashisproperty，andwarnedhimthatifyouorhekeptthesame，thattherewouldbetrouble。"
"Didyouusethreats？"askedHope，rememberingwhathehadoverheard。
"No；certainlynot。"
"Yes，youdid，"criedBraddockquickly。"HerveydeclaresthatyoutoldBoltonthathewouldrepentofkeepingthemummy，andthathislifewouldnotbesafewhileheheldit。"
Tothesurpriseofbothvisitors，Randomadmittedusingtheseseriousthreatswithoutamoment’shesitation。
"DonPedrotoldmethatmanyIndians，bothinLimaandCuzco，wholookuponhimasthelawfuldescendantofthelastInca，areanxiouslyexpectingthereturnoftheroyalmummy。HealsostatedthatwhentheIndiansknewwhoheldthemummytheywouldsendoneofthemselvestogetitback，ifhe-DonPedro，thatis-didnotfetchit。TogetbackthemummyDonPedrodeclaredthattheseIndianswouldnotstopshortofmurder。HencemywarningtoBolton。"
"Oh！"Archiejumpedupwithwidelyopenedeyes。"Thenperhapsthissolvestheproblem。BoltonwasmurderedbysomePeruvianIndian。"
Randomshookhisheadgravely。
"Againyouoffermealoopholeofescape，mydearfellow，"hesaidsententiously，"butthattheorywillnotholdwater。AtpresenttheIndiansinLimaandCuzcodonotknowthatthemummyhasbeenfound。DonPedroonlychanceduponthepaperwhichannouncedthesalebyaccidentandhadnotimetocommunicatewithhisbarbaricfriendsinSouthAmerica。Failingtogetthemummyfromyou，Professor，hewouldhavereturnedtoPeruandthenwouldhavetoldwhopossessedthecorpseofIncaCaxas，leavingtheIndianstodealwiththematter。InthatcasemywarningtoBoltonwouldbenecessary。ButatthetimeItoldhim，itwasnotnecessary。However，Boltonremainedtruetoyou，Professor，anddeclinedtosurrenderthemummy。IthereforewiredtoDonPedroatGenoathatthemummywasonboard。TheDiverandwasbeingsenttoGartley。Ialsoadvisedhimtocometomehereinordertobeintroducedtoyou。Therestyouknow。"
Therewasamoment’ssilence。ThenArchie，totestifRandomwaswillingtoadmiteverything-asaninnocentmancertainlywould-askedsignificantly"DidyouseeBoltonagainafteryourinterviewonboardship？"
Itwasthenthatthebaronetprovedhisgoodfaith。
"Oh，yes，"hesaideasilyandwithouthesitation。"IwaswalkingaboutPiersidelater，and，passingalongthatwatersidealleyneartheSailor’sRest，Isawawindowonthegroundflooropen，andBoltonlookingoutacrosstheriver。IstoppedandaskedhimwhenheproposedtotakethemummytoGartley，andifitwasonshore。Headmittedthatitwasinthehotel，butdeclinedtosaywhenhewouldsenditontoyou，Professor。Whenheclosedthewindow，IafterwardswentintothehotelandhadadrinkinordertoaskcasuallywhenMr。Boltonintendedtoleave。Igathered-
notdirectly，ofcourse，butinaroundaboutway-thathehadarrangedtogonextmorningandtosendonhisluggage。ThenI
leftandwenttoLondon。InthecourseoftimeIreturnedhereandlearnedofthemurderandthedisappearanceofthecorpseofIncaCaxas。Andnow，"Randomstoodup，"havingadmittedallthis，perhapsyouwillbelievemetobeinnocent。"
"YouhavenoideawhomurderedBoltonandplacedhisbodyinthepackingcase？"askedBraddock，manifestlydisappointed。
"’No。NomorethanIhaveanyideaofthepersonwhoplacedthemummycaseanditscontentsinMrs。Jasher’sgarden。"
"Oh，youknowthat！"saidArchiequickly。
"Yes。Thenewswasalloverthevillagethismorning。Icouldhardlyhelpknowingit。AndIbelievethatthemummyhasbeentakentoyourhouse，Professor。"
"Ithas，"admittedBraddockdryly。"ItookitmyselffromMrs。
Jasher’sarborinahand-cart，withtheassistanceofCockatoo。
ButwhenImadeanexaminationthismorninginthepresenceofHopeandDonPedro，Ifoundthattheswathingsofthebodyhadbeenrippedup，andthattheemeraldsmentionedinthatmanuscripthadbeenstolen。"
"Strange！"saidRandomwithafrown；"andbywhom？"
"NodoubtbytheassassinofSidneyBolton。"
"Probably。"Randomkickedamatstraightwithhisfoot。"AtanyratethetheftoftheemeraldsshowsthatitwasnotanyIndianwhokilledBolton。Noneofthemwouldriflesosacredacorpse。"
"Besideswhich-asyousay-theIndiansinPerudonotknowthatthemummyhasreappearedafterthirtyyears’seclusion，"
chimedinHope，rising。"Well，andwhatistobedonenow？"
ForanswerSirFrankpickedupthemanuscriptwhichstillremainedonthetable。
"IshallseeDonPedroaboutthis，"hesaidquietly，"andascertainifitistheoriginaloracopy。"
Braddockroseslowlyandstaredatthepaper。
"DoyouknowLatin？"heasked。
"No，"rejoinedRandom，knowingwhatthesavantmeant。"Ilearnedit，ofcourse，butIhaveforgottenmuch。Imighttranslateawordortwo，butcertainlynotthehedge-priestLatininwhichthisiswritten。"Helookedcarefullyatthemanuscriptashespoke。
"Butwhocouldhaveplaceditinyourroom？"questionedArchie。
"WecannotlearnthatuntilweseeDonPedro。Ifthisistheoriginalmanuscriptwhichwesawtheothernight，wemaylearnhowitpassedfromthepossessionofDeGayangostomybookcase。
Ifitisacopy，thenwemustlearn，ifpossible，whoownedit。"
"DonPedrosaidthatatranscriptoratranslationhadbeenmade，"mentionedHope。
"Evidentlyatranscript，"saidBraddock，glaringatthepaperinRandom’shand。"ButhowcouldthatfinditswayfromLimatothisplace？"
"Itmighthavebeenpackedupwiththemummy，"suggestedArchie。
"No，"contradictedRandomdecisively，"inthatevent，themaninMaltafromwhomthemummywasboughtwouldhavediscoveredtheemeralds，andwouldhavetakenthem。"
"Perhapshedid。WehavenothingtoshowthatBolton’sassassincommittedthecrimeforthesakeofthejewels。"
"Hemusthavedoneso，"criedtheProfessor，irritably，"elsethereisnomotiveforthecommissionofthecrime。ButIthinkmyselfthatwemuststartattheotherendtofindaclue。WhenwediscoverwhoplacedthemummyinMrs。Jasher’sgarden-"
"Thatwillnotbeeasy，"murmuredHopethoughtfully，"though，ofcourse，thesamemusthavebeenbroughtbyriver。Letusgodowntotheembankmentandseeifthereareanysignsofaboathavingbeenbroughttherelastnight，"andhemovedtothedoor。
"Random？"
"IcannotleavetheFort，asIamonduty，"repliedtheofficer，puttingthemanuscriptawayinadrawerandlockingthesame，"butthiseveningIshallseeDonPedro，andinthemeanwhileI
shallendeavortolearnfrommyservantwhovisitedmelatelywhileIwasabsent。Themanuscriptmusthavebeenbroughtherebysomeone。ButItrust，"headdedasheescortedhistwovisitorstothedoor，"thatyounowacquitmeof-"
"Yes！yes！yes！"criedBraddock，hastilycuttinghimshortandshakinghishand。"Iapologizeformysuspicions。NowI
maintainthatyouareinnocent。"
"AndIneverbelievedyoutobeguilty，"criedHopeheartily。
"Thankyouboth，"saidRandomsimply，and，havingclosedthedoor，hereturnedtoachairnearthefiretosmokeapipe，andmeditateoverhisfuturemovements。"Anenemyhathdonethis，"
saidRandom，referringtotheconcealmentofthemanuscript，buthecouldthinkofnoonewhodesiredtoharmhiminanyway。
CHAPTERXVIII
RECOGNITION
LucyandMrs。Jasherwerehavingaconfidentialconversationinthesmallpinkdrawing-room。Truetoherpromise，MissKendalhadcometoreadjustmattersbetweenthefierylittleProfessorandthewidow。Butitwasnotaneasytask，asMrs。Jasherwasrighteouslyindignantattherashwordsusedtoher。
"AsifIknewanythingaboutthematter，"sherepeatedagainandagaininangrytones。"Why，mydear，heasgoodastoldmeIhadmurdered-"
Lucydidnotletherfinish。
"There！there！"shesaid，speakingasshewouldhavedonetoafretfulchild，"youknowwhatmyfatheris。"
"ItseemstomethatIamjustbeginningtolearn，"saidthewidowbitterly，"andknowinghowreadyheistobelieveillofme，Ithinkitisbetterweshouldpartforever。"
"Butyou’llneverbeLadyBraddock。"
"EvenifImarriedhim，IamnotsurethatIshouldbe，sinceI
learnthathisbrotherissingularlyhealthyandcomesofalong-
livedfamily。Anditwillnotbepleasanttolivewithyourfatherwhenhehassuchatemper。"
"Thatwasonlybecausehewasexcited。Thinkofyoursalon，andofthepositionyouwishtoholdin，London。"
"Ah，well，"saidMrs。Jasher，visiblysoftening，"thereissomethingtobesaidthere。Afterall，onecanneverfindamanwhoisperfection。Andaveryamiablemanisusuallyafool。
Onecan’texpectarosetobewithoutthorns。Butreally，mydear，"shesurveyedLucywithmildsurprise，"youappeartobeveryanxiousthatIshouldmarryyourfather。"
"IwanttoseemyfathermadecomfortablebeforeImarryArchie，"
saidthegirlwithablush。"Ofcoursemyfatherisquiteachildinhouseholdaffairsandneedseverythingdoneforhim。
Archie-Iamgladtosay-isnowinapositiontomarrymeinthespring。Iwantyouto，bemarriedaboutthesametime，andthenyoucanliveinGartley，and-"
"No，mydear，"saidMrs。Jasherfirmly，"ifImarryyourfather，hewishesustogoatoncetoEgyptinsearchofthistomb。"
"Iknowthathewantsyoutohelpwiththemoneylefttoyoubyyourlatebrother。ButsurelyyouwillnotgouptheNileyourself？"
"No，certainlynot，"saidthewidowpromptly。"IshallremaininCairowhiletheProfessorgoesonhisexcursionintoEthiopia。I
knowthatCairoisaverycharmingplace，andthatIshallbeabletoenjoymyselfthere。"
"Thenyouhavedecidedtoforgivemyfatherforhisrashwords？"
"Imust，"sighedMrs。Jasher。"Iamsotiredofbeinganunprotectedwidowwithoutarecognizedpositionintheworld。
Evenwithmybrother’smoney，-notthatitissoverymuch-I
shallstillbelookeduponaskanceifIgointosociety。ButasMrs。Braddock，orLadyBraddock，noonewilldaretosayawordagainstme。Yes，mydear，ifyourfathercomesand，asksmypardonheshallhaveit。Wewomenaresoweak，"endedthewidowvirtuously，asifshewasnotmakingavirtueofnecessity。
Thingsbeingthussettled，thetwotalkedonamiablyforsometime，anddiscussedthechancesofRandommarryingDonnaInez。
BothacknowledgedthatthePeruvianladywashandsomeenough，buthadnotawordtosayforherself。
Whilethuschattering，ProfessorBraddocktrottedintotheroom，lookingbriskandbrightfromhisstrollinthecoldfrostyair。
Giftedashewaswithscientificassurance，thelittlemanwasnotatalltakenabackbythecoldreceptionofMrs。Jasher，butrubbedhishandscheerfully。
"Ah，thereyouare，Selina，"saidhe，lookinglikeabright-eyedrobin。"Ihopeyouarefeelingwell。"
"Howcanyouexpectmetofeelwellafterwhatyousaid？"
remarkedMrs。Jasherreproachfully，andanxioustomakeavirtueofforgiveness。
"Oh，Ibegpardon:Ibegpardon。Surely，Selina，youarenotgoingtomakeafussoveratriflelikethat？"
"IdidnotgiveyoupermissiontocallmeSelina。"
"Quiteso。Butaswearetobemarried，ImayaswellgetusedtoyourChristianname，mydear。"
"Iamnotsosurethatwewillbemarried，"saidMrs。Jasherstiffly。
"Oh，butwemust，"criedBraddockindismay。"IamdependinguponyourmoneytofinancemyexpeditiontoQueenTahoser’stomb。"
"Isee，"observedthewidowcoldly，whileLucysatquietlybyandallowedtheelderwomantoconductthecampaign，"youwantmeformymoney。Thereisnoloveinthequestion。"
"Mydear，assoonasIhavethetime-sayduringourvoyagetoCairo，whencewestartinlanduptheNileforEthiopia-Ishallmakelovewheneveryoulike。And，confoundit，Selina，Iadmireyounoend-touseaslangphrase。Youareafinewomanandasensiblewoman，andIamafraidthatyouarethrowingyourselfawayonasnuffyoldmanlikemyself。"
"Ohno！no！Praydonotsaythat，"criedMrs。Jasher，visiblymovedbythisflattery。"Youwillmakeaverygoodhusbandifyouwillonlystrivetogovernyourtemper。"
"Temper！temper！Blessthewoman-Imeanyou，Selina-Ihavetheverybesttemperintheworld。However，youshallgovernitandmyselfalsoifyoulike。Come，"hetookherhand，"letusbefriendsandfixtheweddingday。"
Mrs。Jasherdidnotwithdrawherhand。
"ThenyoudonotbelievethatIhaveanythingtodowiththisterriblemurder？"sheaskedplayfully。
"No！no！Iwasheatedlastnight。Ispokerashlyandhastily。
Forgiveandforget，Selina。Youareinnocent-quiteinnocent，inspiteofthemummybeinginyourconfoundedgarden。Afterall，theevidenceisstrongeragainstRandomthanagainstyou。
Perhapsheputitthere:it’sonhiswaytotheFort，yousee。
Nevermind。Hehasexoneratedhimself，andnodoubt，whenconfrontedwithHervey，willbeabletosilencethatblackguard。
AndIamquitesurethatHerveyisablackguard，"endedBraddock，rubbinghisbaldhead。
Thetwoladieslookedatoneanotherinamazement，notknowingwhattosay。TheywereignorantofthetheftoftheemeraldsandoftheaccusationofSirFrankbytheYankeeskipper。But，withhisusualabsentmindedness，Braddockhadforgottenallaboutthat，andsatinhischairrubbinghisheadquitepinkandrattlingoncheerfully。
"IwentdownwithHopetotheembankment，"hecontinued，"butneitherofuscouldseeanysignofaboat。There’stherude，shortjetty，ofcourse，andifaboatcame，aboatcouldgoawaywithoutleavinganytrace。Perhapsthatisso。However，wemustwaituntilweseeDonPedroandHerveyagain，andthen-"
Lucybrokeindesperately。
"Whatareyoutalkingabout，father？WhydoyoubringinSirFrank’snameinthatway？"
"Whatdoyouexpectmetosay？"retortedthelittleman。"Afterall，themanuscriptwasfoundinhisroom，andtheemeraldsaregone。Isawthatformyself，asdidHopeandDonPedro，inwhosepresenceIopenedthemummycase。"
Mrs。Jasherroseinherastonishment。
"Aretheemeraldsgone？"shegasped。
"Yes！yes！yes！"criedBraddockirritably。"AmInottellingyouso？IalmostbelieveinHervey’saccusationofRandom，andyettheboyexoneratedhimselfveryforcibly-veryforciblyindeed。"
"Willyouexplainallthathashappened，father？"saidLucy，whowasbecomingmoreandmoreperplexedbythisramblingchatter。
"Wearequiteinthedark。"
"SoamI:soisHope:soiseveryone，"chuckledBraddock。"Ah，yes:ofcourse，youwerenotpresentwhentheseeventstookplace。"
"Whatevents？-whatevents？"demandedMrs。Jasher，nowquiteexasperated。
"Iamabouttotellyou，"snappedherfuturehusband，andrelatedallthathadtakenplacesincethearrivalofCaptainHerveyinthemuseumatthePyramids。Thewomenlistenedwithinterestandwithgrowingastonishment，onlyinterruptingthenarratorwithasimultaneousexclamationofindignationwhentheyheardthatSirFrankwasaccused。
"Itisutterlyandwhollyabsurd，"criedLucyangrily。"SirFrankisthesoulofhonor。"
"SoIthink，mydear，"chimedinMrs。Jasher。"Andwhatdoeshesayto-？"
Braddockinterrupted。
"Iamabouttotellyou，ifyouwillstoptalking，"hecriedcrossly。"Thatissolikeawoman。Sheasksforanexplanationandthenpreventsthemanfromgivingit。Randomoffersaverygooddefense，Iamboundtosay，"andhedetailedwhatSirFrankhadsaid。
Whenthehistorywasfinished，Lucyrosetogo。
"IshallseeArchieatonce，"shesaid，movinghastily，towardsthedoor。
"Whatfor？"demandedherfatherbenignly。
Lucyturned。
"Thisthingcan’tgoon，"shedeclaredresolutely。"Mrs。Jasherwasaccusedbyyou，father-"
"Onlyinaheatedmoment，"criedtheProfessor，excusinghimself。
"Nevermind，shewasaccused，"retortedLucystubbornly，"andnowthissailoraccusesSirFrank。Whoknowswhowillbechargednextwithcommittingthecrime？IshallaskArchietotakethematterup，andhuntdowntherealcriminal。Untiltheguiltypersonisfound，Iforeseethatweshallneverhaveamoment’speace。"
"Iquiteagreewithyou，"saidMrs。Jasherearnestly。"FormyownsakeIwishthematterofthismysterytobeclearedup。Whydon’tyouhelpme？"sheadded，turningtoBraddock，wholistenedplacidly。
"Iamhelping，"saidBraddockquietly。"IintendtosetCockatooonthetrailatonce。HeshalltakeuphisabodeintheSailor’sRestonsomepretext，andnodoubtwillbeabletofindaclue。"
"What？"criedthewidowincredulously，"asavagelikethat？"
"Cockatooismuchclevererthantheaveragewhiteman，"saidBraddockdryly，"especiallyinfollowingatrail。He，ifanyone，willlearnthetruth。IwouldmuchrathertrusttheKanakathanyoungHope。"
"Nonsense！"criedLucy，standingupforherlover。"Archieistheonetodiscovertheassassin。I’llseehimatonce。Andyou，father？"
"I，mydear，"saidtheProfessorcalmly，"shallremainhereandmakemypeacewiththefutureMrs。Braddock。"
"Youhavemadeitalready，"saidthewidowgraciously，andextendedherhand，whichtheProfessorkissedunexpectedly，andthensatbackinhischair，lookingquiteabashedathisoutburstofgallantry。
Seeingthateverythingwasgoingwell，Lucylefttheelderlycoupletocontinuetheircourting，andhurriedtoArchie’slodgingsinthevillage。However，hehappenedtobeout，andhislandladydidnotknowwhenhewouldreturn。Ratherannoyedbythis，sinceshegreatlydesiredtounbosomherself，MissKendalwalkeddisconsolatelytowardsthePyramids。OnthewayshewasstoppedbyWidowAnne，lookingmoredismalandfunerealthanever，andgarrulouswithcopiousdraughtsofgin。Notthatshewasintoxicated，buthertonguewasloose，andsheweptfreelyfornoapparentreason。Accordingtoherself，shehadstoppedLucytodemandbackfromMr。Hopethroughthegirlcertainarticlesofattirewhichhadbeenborrowedforartisticpurposes。
These，consistingofashawlandaskirtandabodice，wereofextraordinaryvalue，andMrs。Boltonwantedthembackortheirequivalentinvalue。Shementionedthatshewouldpreferthesumoffivepounds。
"WhydoyounotaskMr。Hopeyourself？"saidLucywhowastooimpatienttobearwiththeoldcreature’smaunderings。"Ifyougavehimthethingshewillnodoubtreturnthem。"
"Iftheyaren’tspiledwithpaint，"wailedWidowAnne。"HetoldmySidashewantedthemforamodeltowearwhilebeingpainted。
Sidaskedme，andIgave’emtoSid，andSid，hepassed’emalongtoyourgoodgentleman。Therewasaskirt，asgoodasnew，andabodyofthedresstrimmestbeautiful，andatartanshawlasIgotfrommymother。Butno，"theoldwomancorrectedherself，"itwasadarkshawlwithredspotsand-"
"AskMr。Hope，askMr。Hope，"criedMissKendalimpatiently。"I
knownothingaboutthethings，"andshetoreherdressfromWidowAnne’sdetaininghandtohurryhome。Mrs。Boltonwailedaloudatthisdesertion，andtookherwaytoHope’slodgings，whereshedeclaredherdeterminationtoremainuntiltheartistrestoredherapparel。
Lucyforthemomentthoughtlittleofthisinterview；butonreflectionshethoughtitstrangethatArchieshouldborrowclothesfromMrs。BoltonthroughSidney。NotthattherewasanythingstrangeinArchie’sprocuringsuchgarments，sincehemayhavewantedthemtoclotheamodelwith。Buthecouldeasilyhavegotsuchthingsfromhislandlady，or，iffromWidowAnne，couldhaveborrowedthemdirectwithoutappealingtoSidney。
Why，then，hadthedeadmanactedasanintermediateparty？Thisquestionwashardtoanswer，yetLucygreatlywishedforareply，sinceshesuddenlyrememberedhowawomaninadarkdressandwithadarkshawloverherheadhadbeenseenbyElizaFlight，thehousemaidoftheSailor’sRest，talkingtoBoltonthroughthewindow。Werethegarmentsborrowedasadisguise，anddidthepersonwhohadborrowedthemdesirethatitshouldbesupposedthatWidowAnnewastalkingtoherson？TherewasachillhandclutchingLucy’sheartasshewenthome，forthewordsofMrs。
BoltonseemedindirectlytoimplicateHopeinthemystery。Shedeterminedtoaskhimaboutthematterstraightout，whenhecameinthatnighttopayhisusualvisit。
AtdinnertheProfessorwasinexcellentspirits，andactuallybecamesohumanastocomplimentLucyonherhousekeeping。HealsomentionedthathehopedMrs。Jasherwouldcaterasexcellently。Overcoffeeheinformedhisstep-daughterthathehadentirelywonthewidow’sheartbyabasinghimselfatherfeetandwithdrawingtheaccusation。TheyhadarrangedtobemarriedinMay，oneortwoweeksafterLucybecameMrs。Hope。IntheautumntheywouldstartforEgypt，andwouldremainabroadforayearormore。
"Infact，"saidtheProfessor，settingdownhiscupandpreparingtotakehisdeparture，"everythingisnowsettledexcellently。
ImarryMrs。Jasher:you，mydear，marryHope，and-"
"AndSirFrankmarriesDonnaInez，"finishedLucyquickly。
"That，"saidBraddockstiffly，"entirelydependsuponwhatDeGayangossaystothisaccusationofHervey’s。"
"SirFrankisinnocent。"
"Ihopeso，andIbelieveso。Buthewillhavetoprovehisinnocence。Ishalldomybest，andIhavesentroundtoDonPedrotocomehere。Wecanthentalkitover。"
"CanArchieandIcomeinalso？"askedMissKendalanxiously。
Somewhattohersurprise，theProfessoryieldedareadyassent。
"Byallmeans，mydear。Themorewitnesseswehave，thebetteritwillbe。Wemustdoallinourpowerstobringthismattertoasuccessfulissue。"
Sothingswerearranged，andwhenArchiecameuptothedrawing-room，LucyinformedhimthatBraddockwasinthemuseumwithDonPedro，tellingallthathadhappened。HopewasgladtohearthatLucyhadsecuredtheProfessor’sconsentthattheyshouldbepresent，forthemysteryofBolton’sterribledeathwaspiquinghim，andhedearlydesiredtolearnthetruth。Asamatteroffact，althoughhewasunawareofit，hewassufferingfromanattackofdetectivefever，andwishedtosolvethemystery。Hethereforewentgladlyintothemuseumwithhissweetheart。Oddlyenough-asLucyrecollectedwhenitwastoolatetospeak-shequiteforgottorelatewhatWidowAnnehadsaidabouttheborrowedclothes。
DonPedro，lookingmorestiffanddignifiedthanever，wasinthemuseumwithBraddock。Thetwomenwereseatedincomfortablechairs，andCockatoo，somedistanceaway，waspolishingwithacloththegreenmummycaseofthefatalobjectwhichhadbroughtaboutallthetrouble。LucyhadhalfexpectedtoseeDonnaInez，butDeGayangosexplainedthathehadleftherwritingletterstoLimaintheWarriorInn。WhenMissKendalandHopewereseated，thePeruvianexpressedhimselfmuchsurprisedatthechargewhichhadbeenbroughtagainstSirFrank。
"IfIcanspeakofsuchthingsinthepresenceofalady，"heremarked，bowinghisheadtoLucy。
"Ohyes，"sheansweredeagerly。"Ihaveheardallaboutthecharge。AndIamgladthatyouarehere，DonPedro，forIwishtosaythatIdonotbelievethereisawordoftruthintheaccusation。"
"NordoI，"assertedthePeruviandecisively。
"Iagree-Iagree，"criedBraddock，beaming。"Andyou，Hope？"
"Tneverbelievedit，evenbeforeIheardRandom’sdefense，"saidArchiewithadrysmile。"DidyounotseeCaptainHerveyyourself，sir？"headded，turningtoDonPedro；"hestartedforPiersidetolookyouup。"
"Ihavenotseenhim，"saidDeGayangosinhisstatelyway，"andIamverysorry，asIdesiretoexaminehimabouttheaccusationhehaddaredtobringagainstmyverygoodfriend，SirFrankRandom。Iwishhewerehereatthisveryminute，sothatIcouldtellhimwhatIthinkofthecharge。"
JustasDonPedrospoketheunexpectedhappened，asthoughsomegeniehadobeyedhiscommands。Asthoughtransportedintotheroombymagic，theAmericanskipperappeared，notthroughthefloor，butbythedoor。Afemaledomesticadmittedhimandannouncedhisname，thenfledtoavoidtheangerofhermaster，seeingshehadviolatedthesacredprecinctsofthemuseum。
CaptainHervey，amusedbythesurprisevisibleoneveryface，saunteredforward，hatonheadandcherootinmouthasusual。
ButwhenhesawLucyheremovedbothwithapolitenessscarcelytobeexpectedfromsorudeandreadyandroughamariner。
"Ibegpardonforcominghereuninvited，"saidHerveyawkwardly，"butI’vebeenchasingtheDonalloverPiersideandthroughthisvillage。Theytoldmeatthepoliceofficethatyou"-hespoketoDeGayangos"haddoubledonyourtrail，sohereIamforalittleprivateconversation。"
ThePeruvianlookedgravelyatHervey’sface，whichwasclearlyrevealedinthepowerfullightofthemanylampswithwhichthemuseumwasfilled，androsetobow。
"Iamgladtoseeyou，sir，"hesaidpolitely，andwithastillmoresearchingglance。"WiththepermissionofourhostIshallaskyoutotakeachair，"andheturnedtoBraddock。
"Certainly！certainly！"saidtheProfessorfussily。"Cockatoo？"
"Pardon，allowme，"saidDeGayangos，andbroughtforwardachair，stillkeepinghiseyesontheskipper，whowasratherconfusedbythecourtesy。"Willyoubeseated，senor:thenwecantalk。"
HerveysatdownquietlyclosetothePeruvian；whothenleanedforwardtoaddresshim。
"Youwillhaveacigarette？"heasked，offeringasilvercase。
"Thanks，no。I’llsmokeacherootiftheladydon’tmind。"
"Notatall，"repliedLucy，who，alongwithArchieandtheProfessor，waspuzzledbyDonPedro’smanner。"Pleasesmoke！"
IntakingbackthecaseDonPedroallowedittodrop。Ashemadenomotionofpickingitup，Hervey，althoughannoyedwithhimselfforhispolitenesstowardsayellow-stomach，ashecalledDeGayangos，wascompelledtostretchforit。AshehandeditbacktoDonPedro，thePeruvian’seyeslightedupandhenoddedgravely。
"Thankyou，Vasa，"saidDeGayangos，andHervey，changingcolor，leapedfromhisseatasthoughtouchedbyaspear-point。
CHAPTERXIX
NEARERTHETRUTH
Forafewmomentstherewassilence。LucyandArchiesatstill，astheyweretoomuchsurprisedbyDonPedro’srecognitionofCaptainHerveyastheSwedishsailorVasatomoveorspeak。ButtheProfessordidnotseemtobegreatlyastonished，andthesolesoundwhichbrokethestillnesswashissardonicchuckle。
Perhapsthelittlemanhadprogressedbeyondthepointofbeingsurprisedatanything，or，like，Moliere’shero，wasonlysurprisedatfindingvirtueinunexpectedplaces。
AsforthePeruvianandtheskipper，theywerebothontheirfeet，eyeingoneanotherliketwofightingdogs。Herveywasthefirsttofindhisveryusefultongue。
"Iguessyou’vegotthebulgeonme，"saidhe，tryingtooutstarethePeruvian，forwhichnationality，fromlongvoyagingontheSouthAmericancoast，heentertainedthemostprofoundcontempt。
ButinDeGayangoshefoundafoemanworthyofhissteel。
"Ithinknot，"saidDonPedroquietly，andfacingthepseudo-Americanbravely。"Ineverforgetfaces，andyoursisanoticeableone。WhenyoufirstspokeIfanciedthatIrememberedyourvoice。Allthatbusinesswiththechairwastogetclosetoyou，sothatIcouldseethescaronyourrighttemple。Itisstillthere，Inotice。Also，Idroppedmycigarettecaseandforcedyoutopickitup，sothat，whenyoustretchedyourarm，I
mightseewhatmarkwasonyourleftwrist。Itisaserpentencirclingthesun，whichLolaFarjadosinducedyoutohavetattooedwhenyouwereinLimathirtyyearsago。Youreyesareblueandfulloflight，andasyouweretwentywhenIknewyou，thelapseofyearshasmadeyoufifty-yourpresentage。"
"Shucks！"saidHerveycoolly，andsatdowntosmoke。
DonPedroturnedtoArchieandBraddock。
"Mr。Hope！Professor！"heremarked，"ifyourememberthedescriptionIgaveofGustavVasa，Iappealtoyoutoseeifitdoesnotexactlyfitthisman？"
"Itdoes，"saidArchieunhesitatingly，"althoughIcannotseethetattooedleftwristtowhichyourefer。"
Hervey，stillsmoking，madenooffertoshowthesymbol，butBraddockunexpectedlycametotheassistanceofDonPedro。
"ThemanisVasarightenough，"heremarkedabruptly。"WhetherheisSwedishorAmericanIcannotsay。ButheisthesamemanI
metwhenIwasinLimathirtyyearsago，afterthewar。"
Herveyslowlyturnedhisblueeyesonthescientistwithatwinkleintheirdepths。
"Soyourecognizedme？"heobserved，withhisYankeedrawl。
"IrecognizedyouatthemomentIhiredyoutotakeTheDivertoMaltatobringbackthatmummy，"retortedBraddock，"butitdidn’tsuitmybooktoleton。Didn’tyourecognizeme？"
"Wal，no，"saidHervey，hisdrawlmorepronouncedthanever。"I
haven’tgotthememoryforfacesthatyouandtheDonhereseemtoposses。Huh！"HewheeledhischairandfacedBraddocksquarely。"I’dhavethoughtyouwisernottobackuptheDon，sir。"
Braddock’slittleeyessparkled。
"Iamnotafraidofyou，"saidhewithgreatcontempt。"Ineverdidanythingforwhichyoucouldgetmoneyoutofmefor，CaptainHerveyorGustavVasa，orwhateveryournamemightbe。"
"Youwerealwaysamightyspryman，"assentedtheskippercoolly，"butsprymen，Itakeit，makemistakesfrombeingtooalmightysmart。"
Braddockshruggedhisshoulders，andDonPedrointervened。
"Thisisallbesidethepoint，"heremarkedangrily。"CaptainHervey，doyoudenythatyouareGustavVasainthefaceofthisevidence？"
Herveydrewuptheleftsleeveofhisreeferjacket，andshowedonhisbaredwristthesymbolofthesunandtheencirclingserpent。
"Isthatenough？"hedrawled，"ordoyouwanttolookatthis？"
andheturnedhisheadtorevealhisscarredrighttemple。
"ThenyouadmitthatyouareVasa？"
"Wal，"drawledthecaptainagain，"that’soneofmynames，I
guess，thoughIhaven’tuseditsinceItradedthatblamedmummyinParis，thirtyyearsago。There’snothinglikeowningup。"
"AreyounotSwedish？"askedLucytimidly。
"Iamacitizenoftheworld，Iguess，"repliedHerveywithgreatpolitenessforhim，"andAmericasuitsmeforheadquartersaswellasanyothernation。ImightbeSwedishorDanishoraDagoforchoice。Vasamaybemyname，orHervey，oranythingyoulike。ButIguessI’mamanallthrough。"
"Andathief！"criedDonPedro，whohadresumedhisseat，butseaskeepingquietwithdifficulty。
"Notofthoseemeralds，"rejoinedtheskippercoolly:"Lord，tothinkofthechanceImissed！ThirtyyearsagoIcouldhavelootedthem，andagaintheotherday。ButIneverknew-Ineverknew，"criedHerveyregretfully，withhisvividlyblueeyesonthemummy。"Icouldjes’kickmyself，gentlemen，whenIthinkofthemiss。"
"Thenyoudidn’tstealthemanuscriptalongwiththeemeralds？"
"Wal，Idid，"criedHervey，turningtoArchie，whohadspoken，"butitwasinafurrenlingo，towhichIdidn’tcatchon。IfI’dknownI’dhavelearnedaboutthoseblamedemeralds。"
"Whatdidyoudowiththecopyofthemanuscriptyoustole？"
askedDonPedrosharply。"Iknowthere，wasacopy，asmyfathertoldmeso。Ihavetheoriginalmyself，butthetranscript-andnotatranslation，asIfancied-appearedinSirFrankRandom’sroomto-day，hiddenbehindsomebooks。"
Herveymadenomove，butsmokedsteadily，withhiseyesonthecarpet。However，Archie，whowasobservingkeenly，sawthathewasmorestartledthanhewouldadmit。Theexplanationhadtakenhimbysurprise。
"Explain！"criedthePeruviansharply。
HerveylookedupandfixedapairofveryevileyesontheDon。
"Seehere，"heremarked，"iftheladywasn’tpresent，I’dshowyouthatItakenoordersfromanyyellow-thatis，fromanylow-downDon。"
"Lucy，mydear，leaveus，"saidBraddock，rising，muchexcited；
"wemusthavethismattersiftedtothebottom，andifHerveycanexplainbetterinyourabsence，Ithinkyoushouldgo。"
AlthoughMissKendalwasveryanxioustohearallthatwastobeheard，shesawtheadvisabilityoftakingthisadvice，especiallyasHopegaveherarmameaningnudge。
"I’llgo，"shesaidmeekly，andwasescortedbyherlovertothedoor。Thereshepaused。"Tellmeallthattakesplace，"shewhispered，andwhenArchienodded，shevanishedpromptly。Theyoungmanclosedthedoor。andreturnedtohisseatintimetohearDonPedroreiteratehisrequestforanexplanation。
"And’sposeIcan’toblige，"saidtheskipper，nowmoreathiseasesincetheladywasoutoftheroom。
"ThenIshallhaveyouarrested，"wasthequickreply。
"Forwhat？"
"Forthetheftofmymummy。"
Herveylaughedraucously。
"Iguessthelawcan’tworrymeaboutthatafterthirtyyears，andinalow-downcountrylikePeru。YourGovernmenthasshiftedfiftytimessinceIlootedthecorpse。"
Thiswasquitetrue，andtherewasabsolutelynochanceoftheskipperbeingbroughttobook。DonPedrolookedratherdisconsolate，andhisgazedroppedundertheglareofHervey’seyes，whichseemedunfair，seeingthattheDonwasasgoodasthecaptainwasevil。
"Youcan’texpectmetocondonethetheft，"hemuttered。
"IreckonIdon’texpectanything，"retortedHerveycoolly"I
lootedthecorpse，Idon’tdeny，and-"
"Aftermyfatherhadtreatedyoulikeason，"saidDonPedrobitterly。"Youwerehomelessandfriendless，andmyfathertookyouin，onlytofindthatyourobbedhimofhismostpreciouspossession。"
Theskipperhadthegracetoblush，andshifteduneasilyinhischair。
"Youcan’tsaytruerthanthat，"hegrumbled，avertinghiseyes。
"IguessI’mabadlotallthrough。Butafriendofminewantedthecorpse，andofferedmeaheapofdollarstoseethebusinessthrough。"
"Doyoumeantosaythatsomeoneaskedyoutostealit？"
"No，"putinBraddockunexpectedly，"forIwasthefriend。"
"You！"DonPedroswungroundingreatastonishment，buttheProfessorfacedhimwithalltheconsciousnessofinnocence。
"Yes，"heremarkedquietly，"asItoldyou，IwasinPeruthirtyyearsago。IwasthenhuntingforspecimensofIncamummies。
Vasa-thismannowcalledHervey-toldmethathecouldobtainasplendidspecimenofamummy，andIarrangedtogivehimonehundredpoundstoprocurewhatIwanted。ButIsweartoyou，DeGayangos，"continuedthelittlemanearnestly，"thatIdidnotknowheproposedtostealthemummyfromyou。"
"Youknewitwasthegreenmummy？"askedDonPedrosharply。
"No，Ionlyknewthatitwasamummy。"
"DidVasagetitforyou？"
"Iguessnot，"saidthegentlemanwhoconfessedtothatname。
"TheProfessorwenttoCuzcoandgotintotrouble-"
"IwascarriedofftothemountainsbysomeIndians，"
interpolatedtheProfessor，"andonlyescapedafterayear’scaptivity。Ididnotmindthat，asitgavemetheopportunityofstudyingadecayingcivilization。ButwhenIreturnedafreemantoLima，IfoundthatVasahadleftthecountrywiththemummy。"
"That’sso，"assentedHervey，wavinghishand。"Igotaberthassecondmateonawind-jammersailingtoEurope，andasthecountrywasn’thealthyformesinceI’dlootedthegreenmummy，I
tookitabroadandyankedittoParis，whereIsolditforacoupleofhundredpounds。Withthat，Ichangedmynameandhadahigholdtime。IneverheardoftheblamedthingagainuntiltheProfessorhereturnedupwithMr。BoltonatPierside，askingmetobringitinTheDiverfromMalta。Itwaswhatyou’dcallacoincidence，Ireckon，"addedHerveylazily；"butIdidcrysmallwhenIheardtheProfessorherehadpaidninehundredforathingI’dletslipfortwohundred。HadIknownofthoseinfernalemeralds，I’dhaverippedopenthecaseonboardandwouldhaverecoupedmyself。ButIknewnothing，andBoltonnevertoldme。"
"Howcouldhe，"askedBraddockquietly，"whenhedidnotknowthatanyjewelswereburiedwiththedead？Ididnotknoweither。AndIhaveexplainedwhyIwantedthemummy。ButitneverstruckmeuntilIhearwhatyousaynow，thatthismummy，"
henoddedtowardsthegreencase，"wastheonewhichyouhadstolenatLimafromDeGayangos。Butyoumustdomethejustice，CaptainHervey，totellDonPedrothatInevercountenancedthetheft。"
"No！youweresquareenough，Iguess。Thesinisonmyownblessedshoulders，andIdon’taskittobeshifted。"
"Whatdidyoudowiththecopyofthemanuscript？"askedDonPedro。
Herveyruminated。
"Ican’tthink，"hemused。"IfoundascreedofLatinalongwiththemummy，whenIlooteditfromyourLimahouse，butitdroppedoutofmymindastowhatbecameofit。MaybeIpasseditalongtotheParisman，andhesolditalongwiththecorpsetotheMaltesegent。"
"ButItellyouthiscopywasfoundinSirFrank’sroom，"
insistedDeGayangos。"Howdiditcometobethere？"
CaptainHerveyroseandtookaturnupanddowntheroom。WhenCockatoocameinhiswayhecalmlykickedhimaside。
"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Hope？"heasked，comingtoafullstopbeforeArchie，whileCockatoocreptawaywithaverydarkscowl。
"Idon’tknowwhattothink，"repliedthatyounggentlemanpromptly，"savethatSirFrankismyverygoodfriend，andthatI
takehiswordthatheknowsnothingofhowthemanuscriptcametobehiddeninhisbookcase。"
"Huh！"saidHerveyscornfully，andtookanotherturnupanddowntheroominsilence。"Isurmisethatyourfriendisn’tawhiteman。"
Hopeleapedtohisfeet。