第6章
"That’salie，"hesaiddistinctly。
"I’dhaveshotyouforthatdownChiliway，"snappedtheskipper。
"Possibly，"retortedtheartistdryly，"butIhappentobehandywithmyrevolveralso。Isayagainthatyoulie。Randomisnotthemantocommitsofoulacrime。"
"Thenhowdidthemanuscriptgetintohisroom？"questionedHervey。
"Heistryingtolearn，and，whenhedoes，willcomeheretoletusallknow，CaptainHervey。ButIaskyouonwhatgroundsyouaccusehim？OhIknowallyousaidto-day，"addedHopescornfully，wavinghishand；"butyoucan’tprovethatRandomgotthemanuscript。"
"Ifit’sinhisroom，asyouacknowledge，Ican，"saidHervey，speakinginamuchmorecultivatedtone。"Seehere。AsIsaidbefore，thatcopymusthavebeenpassedalongwiththecorpsetotheMalteseman。Well，then，theProfessorhereboughtthecorpse，andwithitthemanuscript。"
"No，"contradictedthelittleman，prodigiouslyexcited。"Boltonwrotetomefullparticularsofthemummy，butsaidnothingaboutanymanuscript。"
"Well，hewouldn’t，"repliedHerveycalmly，"seeingthathe’dknowLatin。"
"HedidknowLatin，"admittedBraddockuneasily；"Itaughthimmyself。Butdoyoumeantosaythathegotthatmanuscriptandreaditandintendedtokeepthefactoftheemeraldssecret？"
Herveynoddedthreetimes，andtwistedhischerootinhismouth。
"Howelsecanyoufigurethebusinessout？"hedemandedquietly，andwithhiseyesfixedontheexcitedProfessor。"Boltonmusthavegotthatmanuscript，asIcan’trememberwhatIdidwithit，savepassitalongwiththecorpse。He-asyouadmit-doesn’ttellyouaboutitwhenhewrites。Well，then，IreckonhecalculatedgettingthiscorpsetoEngland，andintendedtostealtheemeraldswhensafelyashore。"
"Buthecouldhavedonethatontheboat，"saidArchiequickly。
"Iguessnot，withmeabout，"saidHerveycoolly。"I’dhavespottedhisgameandwouldhavehowledforshares。"
"Youdaretosaythat？"demandedDeGayangosfiercely。
"Keepyourhairon。Idaretosayanythingthatcomesupmydarnedback，youbet。I’mnotgoingtoknuckledowntoayellow-stomach-"
OutflewDonPedro’slongarm，andHerveyslammedagainstthewall。Heslippedhishandaroundtohishippocketwithanuglysmile，butbeforehecouldusetherevolverheproduced，Hopedasheduphisarm，andtheballwentthroughtheceiling。
"Lucy！"criedtheyoungman，knowingthatthedrawing-roomwasoverhead，andinamomentwasoutofthedoor，racingupthestairsattopspeed。SomesenseofshameseemedtooverpowerHerveyashethoughtthathemighthaveshotthegirl，andhereplacedtherevolverinhispocketwithashrug。
"Iclimbdownandapologize，"hesaidtoDonPedro，whobowedgravely。
"Hangyou，sir；youmighthaveshotmydaughter，"criedBraddock。
"Thedrawing-room，wheresheissitting，isrightoverhead，and-"
Ashespokethedooropened，andLucycameinonArchie’sarm。
Shewaspalewithfright，buthadsustainednodamage。Itseemedthattherevolverbullethadpassedthroughthefloorsomedistanceawayfromwhereshewassitting。
"Ioffermyhumbleapologies，miss，"saidthecowedHervey。
"I’llbreakyourneck，youruffian！"growledHope，wholooked，andwas，dangerous。"Howdareyoushoothereand-"
"It’sallright，"interposedLucy，notwishingforfurthertrouble。"Iamallsafe。ButIshallremainherefortherestofyourinterview，CaptainHervey，asIamsureyouwillnotshootagaininthepresenceofalady。"
"No，miss，"mutteredthecaptain，andwhenagaininvitedbytheangryProfessortospeak，resumedhisdiscourseinlowtones。
"Wal，asIwassaying，"heremarked，sittingdownwithadoggedlook，"Boltonintendedtoclearwiththeemeralds，butIguessSirFrankgotaheadofhimandpackedhiminthatblamedcase，whileheannexedtheemeralds。Hethentookthemanuscript，whichhelootedfromBolton’scorpse，andhiditamonghisbooks，asyousay，whilehelefttheblamedmummyinthegardenoftheoldladyyoutalkedabout。Iguessthat’swhatIsay。"
"It’salltheory，"saidDonPedroinvexedtones。
"Andthereisn’tawordoftruthinit，"saidLucyindignantly，standingupforFrankRandom。
"Itain’tformetocontradictyou，miss，"saidHervey，whowasstillhumble，"butIaskyou，ifwhatIsayain’ttrue，howdidthatcopyofthemanuscriptcometobeinthataristocrat’sroom？"
Therewasnoreplymadetothis，andalthougheveryonepresent，saveHervey，believedinRandom’sinnocence，noonecouldexplain。Thereplycameaftersomefurtherconversation，bytheappearanceofthesoldierhimselfinmesskit。HewalkedunexpectedlyintotheroomwithDonnaInezonhisarm，andatonceapologizedtoDeGayangos。
"Icalledtoseeyouattheinn，sir，"hesaid，"andasyouwerenotthere，Ibroughtyourdaughteralongwithmetoexplainaboutthemanuscript。"
"Ah，yes。Wetalkofthatnow。Howdiditcomeintoyourroom，sir？"
RandompointedtoHervey。
"Thatrascalplaceditthere，"hesaidfirmly。
CHAPTERXX
THELETTER
AtthissecondinsultArchiequiteexpectedtoseetheskipperagaindrawhisrevolverandshoot。Hethereforejumpeduprapidlytooncemoreavertdisaster。ButperhapsthefieryAmericanwasawedbythepresenceofasecondlady-sincemenoftheadventuroustypeareoftenshywhenthefairsexisathand-
forhemeeklysatwherehewasanddidnotevencontradict。DonPedroshookhandswithSirFrank，andthenHerveysmiledblandly。
"Iseeyoudon’tbelieveinmytheory，"saidhescoffingly。
"Whattheoryisthat？"askedRandomhastily。
"HerveydeclaresthatyoumurderedBolton，stolethemanuscriptfromhim，andconcealeditinyourroom，"saidArchiesuccinctly。
"Ican’tsuggestanyotherreasonforitspresenceintheroom，"
observedtheAmericanwithagrimsmile。"IfI’mwrong，perhapsthisalmightyaristocratwillcorrectme。"
Randomwasabouttodoso，andwithsomepardonableheat，whenhewasanticipatedbyDonnaInez。Ithasbeenmentionedbeforethatthisyoungladywasofthesilentorder。Usuallyshesimplyornamentedanycompanyinwhichshefoundherselfwithouttroublingtoentertainwithhertongue。Buttheaccusationagainstthebaronet，whomsheapparentlyloved，changedherintoavolublevirago。BrushingasidethelittleProfessor，whostoodinherway，shelaunchedherselfforwardandspokeatlength。
Hervey，coweringinthechair，thusmetwithanantagonistagainstwhomhehadnoarmor。Hecouldnotuseforce；shedominatedhimwithhereyeandwhenheventuredtoopenhismouthhisfewfeeblewordswerespeedilydrownedbythetorrentofspeechwhichflowedfromthelipsofthePeruvianlady。Everyonewasasastonishedbythisoutburstasthoughadoghadspoken。ThatthehithertosilentDonnaInezdeGayangosshouldspeakthusfreelyandwithsuchpowerwasquiteasgreatamiracle。
"You-areadogandaliar，"saidDonnaInezwithgreatdistinctness，andspeakingEnglishexcellently。"WhatyousayagainstSirFrankismadnessandfoolishtalk。InGenoamyfatherdidnotspeakofthemanuscript，nordidI，whotellyouthis。How，then，couldSirFrankkillthispoorman，whenhehadnoreasontoslayhim-"
"Fortheemeralds，"falteredHerveyweakly。
"Fortheemeralds！"echoedtheladyscornfully。"SirFrankisrich。Hedoesnotneedtostealtohavemuchmoney。Heisagentleman，whodoesnotmurder，asyouhavedone。"
Herveystartedtohisfeet，dismayedbutdefiant，andsawthathewasringedwithunfriendlyfaces。
"AsIhavedone。Why，Iam-"
DonnaInezinterrupted。
"Youareamurderer。Itrulybelievethatyou-yes，thatyou"
shepointedascornfulfingerathim"killedthispoormanwhowasbringingthemummytotheProfessor。Ifyouwereinmyowncountry，Ishouldhaveyoulashedlikethedogyouare。PigofaYankee，vilescumofthe-"
"Thatwilldo，Inez，"saidDeGayangosimperiously。"Wewishtomakethisgentlemantellthetruth，andthisisnotthewaytogoaboutthematter。"
"Gentleman，"echoedtheangryPeruvian，"heisnone。Truth！
Thereisnotruthinhim，thepigofpigs！"andthen，herEnglishfailing，shetookrefugeinSpanish，whichisafairlycomprehensivelanguageforswearinginapoliteway。Thewordsfairlypouredfromhermouth，andshelookedasfierceasBellona，thegoddessofwar。
Archie，listeningtoherwordsandwatchingherbeautifulfacedistortedoutofallloveliness，secretlycongratulatedhimselfuponthefactthathewasnotherprospectivebridegroom。HewonderedhowSirFrank，whowasamild，good-temperedmanhimself，coulddaretomakesuchafieryfemaleLadyRandom。
Perhapstheyoungmanthoughthimselfthatshewasgoingatrifletoofar，forhetouchedhernervouslyonthearm。AtoncetheangerofDonnaInezdieddown，andshesubmittedtobeledtoachair，whisperingasshewent，"Itwasforyoursake，myangel，thatIwasangry，"shesaid，andthenrelapsedintosilence，watchingallfutureproceedingswithflashingeyesbutcompressedmouth。
"Wal，"mutteredHerveywithhisinvariabledrawl，"nowthattheladyhaseasedhermind，IshouldliketoknowwhythisaristocratsaysIplacedthatmanuscriptinhisroom。"
"Youshallknow，andatonce，"saidRandompromptly。"Didyounotcalltoseemeadayorsoago？"
"Idid，sir。IwishedtotellyouwhatIhaddiscovered，sothatyoumightpaymetoshutmymouthifyoufeltsoinclined。I
askedwhereyourroomwas，sir，andwalkedrightin，sinceyourflunkywasnotatthedoor。"
"Quiteso。Youwereinmyroomforafewminutes-"
"Sayfive，"interpolatedtheAmericanimperturbably。
"Andthencamedown。Youmetmyservant，whotoldyouthatI
wouldnotbebackforfiveorsixhours。"
"That’sjustasyoustate，sir。Iwassorrytomissyou，but，mytimebeingvaluable，IhadtogetbacktoPierside。Failingyou，IlatercametoseetheProfessorhere，andtoldhimwhatIhaddiscovered。"
"Youmerelydiscoveredamare’snest，"saidRandomcontemptuously；"butthisisnotthepoint。Ibelievethatyou，andyouonly，couldhavehiddenthatmanuscriptamongmybooks，intendingthatitshouldbediscovered，sothatImightbeimplicatedinthiscrime。"
"Didyourflunkytellyouthatmuch？"inquiredHerveycoolly。
"Myservanttoldmenothing，savethatyouhadbeeninmyroom，whereyouhadnorighttobe。"
"Then，"saidtheAmericanquietlyanddecisively，"Ican’tsee，sir，howyoucanplacetheticketonme。"
"Youaccuseme，sowhyshouldInotaccuseyou？"retortedRandom。
"Becauseyouareguilty，andIain’t，"snappedtheAmerican。
"Youjoinissue:youjoinissue，"murmuredBraddock，rubbinghishands。
Randomtooknonoticeoftheinterruption。
"IhaveheardfromMr。HopeandProfessorBraddockofthegroundsuponwhichyoubaseyouraccusation，andIhaveexplainedtothemhowIcametobeonboardyourshipandbothinandoutoftheSailor’sRest。"
"Andtheexplanationisquitesatisfactory，"saidHopesmartly。
"Iagree，"DonnaIneznoddedwithverybrighteyes。"SirFrankhasexplainedtomealso。Heknewnothingofthemanuscript。"
"Andyou，sir，"saidDonPedroquietlytoCaptainHervey，"apparentlydid，sinceyoustoleitalongwiththemummyfromLima。"
"Iconfessthetheft，butIdidn’tknowwhatthemanuscriptcontained，"saidtheskipperdryly，"orIreckonyouwouldn’thavetoaskwhostoletheemeralds。No，sir，Ishouldhavelootedthem。"
"Ibelieveyoudid，andmurderedBolton，"criedRandomhotly。
"Shucks！"retortedHervey，risingwithashrug，"ifIhadwishedtogetridofBolton，I’dnaveyankedhimoverboardandthenwouldhavewritten`accident’inmyblamedlog-book。"
BraddocklookedatDonPedro，andArchieatSirFrank。Whattheskippersaidwasplausibleenough。NomanwouldhavebeensuchafoolastohavemurderedBoltonashore，whenhecouldhavedonesowithoutsuspiciononboardthetramp。Moreover，Herveyspokewithgenuineregret，sincehehadmissedtheemeraldsandassuredlywouldnothavehesitatedtostealthemevenatthecostofBolton’slife，hadheknownoftheirwhereabouts。Sofarhehadmadeagooddefense，and，seeingtheimpressionproduced，hestrolledtothedoor。Therehehalted。
"Ifyougentswanttolynchme，"hesaidleisurely，"I’llbefoundattheSailor’sRestforthenextweek。ThenI’mgoingasskipperofTheFireflysteamer，Porto’London，toAlgiers。Youcansendthesheriffalongwheneveryouchoose。ButImeantohavemypicnicfirst，andto-morrowI’mgoingtoInspectorDatewithmyyarn。ThenIguessthatalmightyaristocratwiltfindhimselfinquod。"
"Waitamoment，"criedBraddock，runningtothedoor。"Letmetalktoyouandarrangewhatisbesttobedone。Ifyouwill-"
Heproceedednofurther，forwithoutvouchsafinghimareply，Hervey，nowquitemasterofthesituation，passedthroughthedoor，andtheProfessorhastilyfollowedhim。Thosewhoremainedlookedatoneanother，scarcelyknowingwhattosay，orhowtoact。
"Theywillarrestthee，myangel，"criedDonnaInez，claspingRandom’sarm。
"Letthem，"retortedtheyoungmandefiantly。"Theycanprovenothing。WithallmyheartandsoulIbelieveHerveytobetheguiltyperson。Hope，whatdoyousay？-andyou，MissKendal？"
"Herveyhascertainlymadeanexcellentdefense，"saidArchiecautiously。"Hewouldn’thavebeensuchafoolastomurderBoltonashorewhenhecouldhavedoneitsoeasilywhenonthenarrowseas。"
"Iagreewithyouthere，"saidRandomquickly。"Butifheisinnocent；ifhedidnotbringthemanuscriptintomyroom，whodid？"
"IwonderifWidowAnneherselfisguilty？"saidLucyinamusingtone。
Allpresentturnedandlookedatthegirl。
"WhoisWidowAnne？"askedDonPedrowithapuzzledair，"SheisthemotherofSidneyBolton，themanwhowasmurdered，"
saidHopequickly。"MydearLucy，whydoyousaythat？"
Lucypausedbeforereplyingandthenansweredthequestionbyaskinganotherone。
"DidyouaskSidneytogetyousomeclothesfromhismothertoclotheamodel？"
"Neverinmylife，"saidHopepromptly，and，asLucy，saw，truly。
"Well，IaccidentallymetMrs。Boltontoday，andsheinsistedthathersonhadborrowedfromheradarkshawlandadarkdressforyou。"
"Thatisnottrue，"saidHopehotly。"Whyshouldthewomantellsuchalie？"
"Well，"saidLucyslowly，"itstruckmethatthewomanwhospokewithSidneythroughtheSailor’sRestwindowmightbeWidowAnneherself，andthatshehasinventedthisstoryoftheclothesbeinglenttoaccountfortheirbeingworn，shouldshebediscovered。"
"It’scertainlyoddsheshouldspeaklikethis，"saidRandomthoughtfully；"butyouforget，MissKendal，thatsheprovedanalibi。"
"Whatofthat？"criedDonPedrohurriedly，"alibiscanbemanufactured。"
"Itwillbebesttoseethiswomanandquestionher，"suggestedDonnaInez。
Archienodded。
"Ishalldosoto-morrow。Bytheway，doessheevercometoyourroomintheFort，Random？"
"Ohyes，sheismylaundress，youknow，andattimesbringsbacktheclothesherself。Myservantisusuallyin，though。Iseewhatyoumean。ThatshemighthavereceivedthemanuscriptfromBolton，andhaveleftitinmyroom。"
"Yes，Ithinkthat，"saidArchieslowly。"IshouldnotbeatallsurprisedtolearnthataportionofHervey’stheoryiscorrect。
Boltonmayhavefoundthemanuscriptpackedupinthemummy，amongstthegraveclothes，infact。Ifhereadit-ashewouldandcould，seeingthathewasanexcellentLatinscholar，thankstoProfessorBraddock’straining-hemighthaveformedadesigntostealtheemeraldswhenhewasintheSailor’sRest。Thensomeonesavedhimthetrouble，andpackedhimofftoGartleyinsteadofthemummy。"
"ButwhyshouldWidowAnneleavethemanuscriptinmyroom？"
arguedRandom。
"Can’tyousee？BoltonknewthatyouwantedthemummyforDonPedro，andwasawarehowyouhad-sotospeak-usedthreatsinthepresenceofwitnesses，sinceyouspokeoutaloudonthedeck。"
"OnlytowarnBoltonagainsttheIndians，"pleadedRandom。
"Exactly；butyourwordswerecapableofbeingtwistedasHerveyhastwistedthem。Well，ifWidowAnnereallywenttoseeherson-andfromthelieabouttheborrowedclothesitlookslikeit-
hemayhavegivenherthemanuscript，soastothrowtheblameonyou。"
"Themurder？"
"No，no，"saidArchietestily。"Boltondidnotexpecttobemurdered。ButIreallybelievethatheintendedtoflywiththeemeralds，andhopedthatwhenthemanuscriptwasfoundinyourroomyouwouldbeaccused。Theideawassuggestedtohim，I
believe，byyourvisittoTheDiver。"
"Whatdoyouthink，MissKendal？"askedRandomnervously。
"Ifancythatitispossible。"
SirFrankturnedtothePeruvian。
"DonPedro，"hesaidproudly，"youhaveheardwhatHerveysays；
doyoubelievethatIamguilty？"
ForanswerDeGayangostookhisdaughter’shandandplaceditinthatoftheyoungsoldier。
"ThatwillshowyouwhatIthink，"hesaidgravely。
"Thankyou，sir，"saidRandom，moved，andshookhisfuturefather-in-lawheartilybythehand，whileDonnaInez，throwingallrestrainttothewinds，kissedherloverexultinglyonthecheck。InthemidstofthissceneProfessorBraddockreturned，lookingverypleased。
"IhaveinducedHerveytoholdhistongueforafewdaysuntilwecanlookintothismatter，"hesaid，rubbinghishands"thatis，ifyouthinkitwise，allofyou。Otherwise，Iamquitewillingtogomyselfto-morrowandtellthepolice。"
"No，"saidArchierapidly，"letusthreshoutthematterourselves。WewillsaveSirFrank’snamefromapolicecourtsluratallevents。"
"IdonotthinkthereisanychanceofSirFrankbeingarrested，"
saidDonPedropolitely；"theevidenceisinsufficient。Andattheworsthecanprovideanalibi。"
"Iamnotsosureofthat，"saidRandomanxiously。"IwenttoLondoncertainly，butIdidnotgotoanyplacewhereIamknown。
However，"headdedcheerfully，"IdaresayI’llbeabletodefendmyself。Still，thefactremainsthatwearenonearertolearningwhokilledBoltonthanwewere。"
"IamsendingCockatootoPiersideto-morrowtostopattheSailor’sRestforatime，"saidBraddockquickly。"HewillwatchHervey，andifthereisanythingsuspiciousabouthismovements，weshallsoonknow。"
"AndIturnamateurdetectiveto-morrowandquestionWidowAnne，"
saidHope，afterwhichremarkhehadtoexplainmatterstoBraddock，whohadbeenoutoftheroomwhenMrs。Bolton’sstrangerequesthadbeendiscussed。
MeanwhileDonnaInezhadbeenwhisperingtoherloverandpointingtothemummy。DonPedrofollowedherthoughtsandguessedwhatshewassaying。Randomprovedthetruthofhisguessby，turningtohim。
"DoyoureallywanttotakebackthemummytoPeru，sir？"heaskedquietly。
"Certainly。IncaCaxaswasmyforefather。Idonotwishtoleavehiminthisplace。Hisbodymustberestoredtoitstomb。
AlltheIndians，wholookuponmeastheirpresentIncaexpectmetobringthebodyback。Although，"addedDeGayangosgravely，"IdidnotcometoEuropetolookforthemummy，asyouknow。"
"ThenIshallbuythemummy，"saidRandomimpetuously。
"Professor，willyousellittome？"
"NowthatIhaveexamineditthoroughlyIshallbedelighted，"
saidthelittleman，"sayfortwothousandpounds。"
"Notatall，"interposedDonPedro；"youmeanonethousand。"
"Ofcoursehedoes，"saidLucyquickly；"andthecheckmustbepaidtoArchie，SirFrank。"
"Tome！tome！"criedBraddockindignantly。"Iinsist。"
"ThemoneybelongstoArchie，"saidLucyobstinately。"Youhaveseenwhatyoudesiredtosee，fatherandasArchieonlylentyouthemoney，itisonlyfairthatheshouldhaveitagain。"
"Oh，lettheProfessorhaveit，"saidHopegood-naturedly。
"No！no！no！"
Randomlaughed。
"Ishallmakethecheckpayabletoyou，MissKendal，andyoucangiveittowhomsoeveryouchoose，"hesaid；"andnow，aseverythinghasbeensettledsofar，Isuggestthatweshouldretire。"
"Cometomyroomsattheinn，"saidDonPedro，openingthedoor。
"Ihavemuchtosaytoyou。Goodnight，Professor；to-morrowletusgotoPiersideandseeifwecannotgetatthetruth。"
"Andto-morrow，"criedRandom，"Ishallsendthecheck，sir。"
Whenthecompanydeparted，Lucyhadanotherwranglewithherfatheraboutthecheck。AsArchiehadgoneaway，shecouldspeakfreely，andpointedoutthathewasenjoyinghermother’sincomeandwasabouttomarryMrs。Jasher，whowasrich。
"Therefore，"arguedLucy，"youcertainlydonotwanttokeeppoorArchie’smoney。"
"HepaidmethatsumonconditionthatIconsentedtothewedding。"
"Hedidnothingofthesort，"shecriedindignantly。"Iamnotgoingtobeboughtandsoldinthismanner。Archielentyouthemoney，anditmustbereturned。Don’tforcemetothinkyouselfish，father。"
TheupshotoftheargumentwasthatLucygotherownway，andtheProfessorratherunwillinglyagreedtopartwiththemummyandrestorethethousandpounds。Butheregretteddoingso，ashewishedtogetallthemoneyhecouldtogotowardshisproposedEgyptianexpedition，andMrs。Jasher’sfortune，asheassuredhisstep-daughter，wasnotsolargeasmightbethought。However，Lucyoverruledhim，andretiredtobed，congratulatingherselfthatshewouldsoonbeabletomarryHope。ShewasbeginningtogrowatriflewearyoftheProfessor’sselfishnature，andwonderedhowhermotherhadputupwithitforsolong。
NextdayBraddockdidnotgowithDonPedrotoPierside，ashewasverybusyinhismuseum。ThePeruvianwentalone，andArchie，afteramorning’sworkathiseasel，soughtoutWidowAnnetoaskquestions。LucyandDonnaInezpaidanafternoonvisittoMrs。Jasherandfoundherinbed，asshehadcaughtamildsortofinfluenza。TheyexpectedtofindSirFrankhere，butitseemedthathehadnotcalled。Thinkingthathewasdetainedbymilitarybusiness，thegirlsthoughtnothingmoreofhisabsence，althoughDonnaInezwassomewhatdowncast。
ButRandomwasdetainedinhisquartersbyaletterwhichhadarrivedbythemid-dayhost，andwhichsurprisedhimnotalittle。ThepostmarkwasLondon，andthewriting，evidentlyadisguisedhand，wasalmostillegibleinitscrudeness。Thecontentsranasfollows，anditwillbenoticedthatthereisneitherdatenoraddress，andthatitiswritteninthethirdperson:
"IfSirFrankRandomwantshischaractertobeclearedandallsuspicionofmurdertoberemovedfromhim，hecanbecompletelyexoneratedbythewriter，ifhewillpaythesamefivethousandpounds。IfSirFrankRandomiswillingtodothis，lethimappointameeting-placeinLondon，andthewriterwillsendamessengertoreceivethemoneyandtohandovertheproofswhichwillclearSirFrankRandom。IfSirFrankRandomplaysthewriterfalse，orcommunicateswiththepolice，proofswillbeforthcomingwhichwillprovehimtobeguiltyofSidneyBolton’sdeath，andwhichwillbringhimtothescaffoldwithoutanychanceofescape。AcoupleoflinesintheAgonyColumnofTheDailyTelegraph，signed`Artillery，’andappointingameeting-place，willsuffice；butbewareoftreachery。"
CHAPTERXXI
ASTORYOFTHEPAST
Mrs。Jasher’sinfluenzaprovedtobeverymildindeed。
WhenDonnaInezdeGayangosandLucypaidavisittoherontheafternoonofthedaysucceedingtheexplanationsinthemuseum，shewascertainlyinbed，andexplainedthatshehadbeentheresincetheProfessor’svisitonthepreviousday。Lucywassurprisedatthis，asshehadleftMrs。Jasherperfectlywell，andBraddockhadnotmentionedanyailmentofthewidow。Butinfluenza，asMrs。Jasherobserved，wasveryrapidinitsaction，andshewasalwayssusceptibletodiseasefromthefactthatinJamaicashehadsufferedfrommalaria。Still，shewasfeelingbetterandintendedtorisefromherbedonthatevening，ifonlytolieonthecouchinthepinkdrawing-room。Havingthusdetailedherreasonsforbeingill，thewidowaskedfornews。
AsnoprohibitionhadbeenplaceduponLucywithregardtoHervey’svisitandasMrs。JasherwouldbeoneofthefamilywhenshemarriedtheProfessor，MissKendalhadnohesitationinreportingallthathadtakenplace。ThenarrativeexcitedMrs。
Jasher，andshefrequentlyinterruptedwithexpressionsofwonder。EvenDonnaInezgreweloquent，andtoldthewidowhowshehaddefendedSirFrankagainsttheAmericanskipper。
"Whatadreadfullywickedman！"saidMrs。Jasher，wheninpossessionofallthefacts。"IreallybelievethathedidkillpoorSidney。"
"No，"saidLucydecisively，"Idon’tthinkthat。Hewouldhavemurderedhimonboardhadheintendedthecrime，ashecouldhavedonesowithmoresafety。HeisasinnocentasSirFrank。"
"Andnoonedaresayawordagainsthim，"criedDonnaInezwithflashingeyes。
"Hehasagooddefender，mydear，"saidthewidow，pattingthegirl’shand。
"Ilovehim，"saidDonnaInez，asifthatexplainedeverything，andperhapsitdid，sofarasshewasconcerned。
Mrs。Jashersmiledindulgently，thenturnedforfurtherinformationtoLucy。
"Canitbepossible，"shesaid，"thatWidowAnneisguilty？"
"Oh，Idon’tthinkso。Shewouldnotmurderherownson，especiallywhenshewassoveryfondofhim。Archietoldme，justbeforewecamehere，thathehadcalledtoseeher。ShestillinsiststhatSidneyborrowedtheclothes，sayingthatArchiewantedthem。"
"Whatdoyoumakeofthat，mydear？"
"Well，"saidMissKendal，pondering，"eitherWidowAnneherselfwasthewomanwhotalkedtoSidneythroughtheSailor’sRestwindow，andhasinventedthisstorytosaveherself，orSidneydidgettheclothesandintendedtousethemasadisguisewhenhefledwiththeemeralds。"
"Inthatcase，"saidMrs。Jasher，"thewomanwhotalkedthroughthewindowstillremainsaproblem。Again，ifSidneyBoltonintendedtostealtheemeralds，hecouldhavedonesoinMalta，oronboardtheboat。"
"No，"saidLucydecisively。"ThemummyWastakendirectlyfromtheseller’shousetotheboat，andperhapsSidneydidnotfindthemanuscriptuntilhelookedatthemummy。ThenCaptainHerveykeptaneyeonSidney，sothathecouldnotopenthemummytostealtheemeralds。"
"Still，accordingtoyourownshowing，Sidneylookedattheactualmummy-heopenedthemummycase，thatis，elsehecouldnothavegotthemanuscript。"
Lucynodded。
"Ithinkso，butofcoursewecannotbesure。Butthepackingcaseinwhichthemummywasstowedwasplacedintheholdofthesteamer，andifSidneyhadwishedtostealtheemeralds，hecouldnothavedonesowithoutexcitingCaptainHervey’ssuspicions。"
"ThenletussaythatSidneyrobbedthemummywhenintheSailor’sRest，andtooktheclothesheborrowedfromhismotherinordertoflyindisguise。Butwhatofthewoman？"
Lucyshookherhead。
"Icannottell。Wemaylearnmorelater。DonPedrohasgonetoPiersidetosearch，andmyfathersaysthathewillsendCockatootherealsotosearch。"
"Well，"sighedMrs。Jasherwearily，"Ihopethatallthistroublewillcometoanend。Thatgreenmummyhasprovedmostunlucky。Leavemenow，deargirls，asIfeelsomewhattired。"
"Good-bye，"saidLucy，kissingher。"Ihopethatyouwillbebetterthisevening。Don’tgetupunlessyoufeelquiteable。"
"Oh，Ishalltakemyeaseinthedrawing-room。"
"Ithoughtyoualwayscalledittheparlor，"laughedthegirl。
"Ah，"Mrs。Jashersmiled，"youseeIampracticingagainstthetimewhenIshallbemistressofthePyramids，Youcan’tcallthatlargeroomthereaparlor，"andshelaughedweakly。
Altogether，Mrs。JasherimpressedbothLucyandDonnaInezwiththefactthatshewasveryweakandscarcelyable，assheputit，todrawonelegaftertheother。BoththegirlswouldhavebeensurprisedtoseewhataheartymealMrs。Jashermadethatevening，whenshewasupanddressed。Perhapsshefeltthatherstrengthneededkeepingup，butshecertainlypartooklargelyofthedelicatedinnerprovidedbyJane，whowasamostexcellentcook。
Afterdinner，Mrs。Jasherlayonapinkcouchinthepinkparlorbyasplendidfire，forthenightwascoldandrawwithapromiseofrain。Thewidowhadasmalltableatherelbow，onwhichstoodacupofcoffeeandaglassofliquor。Therose-coloredcurtainsweredrawn，therose-shadedlampswerelighted，andthewholeinteriorofthecottagelookedverycomfortableindeed。
Mrs。Jasher，inacrocus-yellowtea-gowntrimmedwithrichblacklace，reclinedonhercouchlikeCleopatrainherbarge。Inthepinklightshelookedverywellpreserved，althoughherfaceworeananxiousexpression。Thiswasduetothefactthatthemailhadcomeinandthethreelettersbroughtbythepostmanhadtodowithcreditors。Mrs。Jasherwasalwaystryingtomakebothendsmeet，andhadahardstruggletokeepherheadabovewater。
Certainly，sinceshehadinheritedthemoneyofherbrother，thePekinmerchant，sheneednothavelookedsoworried。Butshedid，andmadenodisguiseofit，seeingthatshewasquitealone。
Afteratimeshewenttoherdeskandtookoutabundleofbillsandsomeotherletters，alsoanaccountbookandabankbook。
Overthesesheporedforquiteanhour。Theclockstruckninebeforeshelookedupfromthisunpleasanttask，andshefoundherfinancialpositionanythingbutsatisfactory。Withawearysighsheroseandstaredatherselfinthemirroroverthefireplace，frowningasshedidso。
"UnlessIcanmarrytheProfessoratonce，Idon’tknowwhatwillhappentome，"shemusedgloomily。"Ihavemanagedverywellsofar，butthingsarecomingtoacrisis。Thesedevils，"shealludedtohercreditors，"willnotkeepoffmuchlonger，andthenthecrashwillcome。IshallhavetoleaveGartleyaspooraswhenIcame，andtherewillbenothingleftbuttheoldnightmarelifeofdespairandhorror。Iamgettingoldereveryday，andthisismylastchanceofgettingmarried。ImustforcetheProfessortohaveaspeedymarriage。Imust！Imust！"andshebegantopacethetinyroominafrenzyofterrorandwell-foundedalarm。
Asshewastryingtocalmherselfandsucceedingverybadly，Janeenteredtheroomwithacard。ItprovedtohethatofSirFrankRandom。
"Itisratheralatehourforavisit，"saidMrs。Jashertotheservant。"However，Ifeelsobored，thatperhapshewillcheermeup。Askhimtocomein。"
WhenJaneleft，shestoodstillforamomentorso，tryingtothinkwhytheyoungmanhadcalledatsountowardanhour。Butwhenhisfootstepswereheardapproachingthedoor，shesweptthebooksandthebillsandthelettersintothedeskandlockeditquickly。WhenRandomappearedatthedoor，shewasjustleavingthedesktogreethim，andnoonewouldhavetakenthesmiling，plump，well-preservedwomanforthecreaturewholatelyhadlookedsohaggardandcareworn。
"Iamgladtoseeyou，SirFrank，"saidMrs。Jasher，noddinginafamiliarmanner。"Sitdowninthisverycomfortablechair，andJaneshallbringyousomecoffeeandkummel。"
"No，thankyou，"saidRandominhisusualstiffway，butverypolitely。"Ihavejustleftthemess，whereIhadagooddinner。"
Mrs。Jashernodded，andsankagainonthecouch，whichwasoppositethechairwhichshehadselectedforhervisitor。
"Iseeyouareinmesskit，"shesaidgayly；"quiteaglorifiedcreaturetoappearinmypoorlittleparlor。WhyareyounotwithDonnaInez？IhaveheardallaboutyourengagementfromLucy。ShewasheretodaywithSenoritaDeGayangos。"
"SoIbelieve，"saidRandom，stillstiffly；"butyouseeIwasanxioustocomeandseeyou。"
"Ah！"saidMrs。Jasherequably，"youheardthatIwasill。Yes；
Ihavebeeninbedeversinceyesterdayafternoon，untilacoupleofhoursago。ButIamnowbetter。Mydinnerhasdonemegood。
Passmethatfan，please。Thefireissohot。"
SirFrankdidashewastold，andsheheldthefeatherfanbetweenherfaceandthefire，whilehestaredather，wonderingwhattosay。
"Don’tyoufindthisatmosphereverystuffy？"heremarkedatlength。"Itwouldbeagoodthingtohavethewindowsopen。"
Mrs。Jashershrieked。
"Mydearboy，areyoumad？Ihaveatouchoftheinfluenza，andanopenwindowwouldbringaboutmydeath。Why，thisroomisdelightfullycomfortable。"
"Thereissuchastrongperfumeaboutit，"sniffedRandompointedly。
"Ishouldthinkyouknewthatscentbythistime，SirFrank。I
usenootherandneverhavedone。Smell！"andshepassedaflimsyhandkerchiefoflace。
Randomtookthehandkerchiefandplacedittohisnostrils。Ashedidsoastrangeexpressionoftriumphcreptintohiseyes。
IthinkyoutoldmeoncethatitwasaChineseperfume，"hesaid，returningthehandkerchief。
Mrs。Jashernodded，wellpleased。
"IgetitfromafriendofmylatehusbandwhoisintheBritishEmbassyatPekin。Nooneusesitbutme。"
"Butsurelysomeotherpersonusesit？"
"NotinEngland；andIdonotknowwhyyoushouldsayso。Itisaspecialtyofmine。Why，"sheaddedplayfully，"ifyoumetmeinthedarkyoushouldknowme，bythisscent。"
"Canyouswearthatnooneelsehaseverusedthisperfume？"
askedRandom。
Mrs。Jasherliftedherpenciledeyebrows。
"Idonotknowwhyyoushouldaskmetoswear，"shesaidquietly，"butIassureyouthatIkeepthisperfumewhichcomesfromChinatomyself。NotevenLucyKendalhasit，althoughshegreatlydesiredsome。Wewomenareselfishinsomethings，mydearman。It’samostdeliciousperfume。"
"Yes，"saidSirFrank，staringather，"andverystrong。"
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"’
"Nothing。OnlyIshouldthinkthatsuchaperfumewouldbegoodforthecoldyoucontractedbygoingtoLondonlastnight。"
Mrs。Jasherturnedsuddenlypaleunderherrouge，andherhandclenchedthefansotightlyastobreakthehandle。
"IhavenotbeentoLondonforquiteamonth，"shefaltered。
"Whatastrangeremark！"
"Atrueone，"saidthebaronet，fumblinginthepocketofhisjacket。"YouwenttoLondonlastnightbytheseveno’clocktraintopostthis，"andheheldouttheanonymousletter。
Thewidow，nowquitepale，andlookingyearsolder，satuponthecouchwith’apainfuleffort，whichsuggestedfoldage。
"Idon’tunderstand，"shesaid，tryingtospeakcalmly。"IwasnotinLondon，andIdidnotpostanyletter。Ifyoucameheretoinsultme-"
"Therecanbenoinsultinaskingafewquestions，"saidRandom，throwingasidehisstiffnessandspeakingdecisively。"I
receivedthisletter，whichbearsaLondonpostmark，bythemid-daypost。Thehandwritingisdisguised，andthereisneitheraddressnorsignaturenordate。Youmanufacturedyourcommunicationverycleverly，Mrs。Jasher，butyouforgotthattheChineseperfumemightbetrayyou。"
"Theperfume！theperfume！"Mrs。Jashergaspedandsawinamomenthowthelateconversationhadledhertofallintoatrap。
"Theletterretainstracesoftheperfumeyouuse，"wentonthebaronetrelentlessly。"Ihavearemarkablykeensenseofsmell，and，asscentisamostpowerfulaidtomemory，Ispeedilyrecollectedthatyouusedthisespecialperfume。Youtoldmeafewmomentsagothatnooneelseusedit，andsoyouhaveprovedthetruthofmy，statementthatthisletter"-hetappedit-"iswrittenbyyou。"
"It’salie-amistake，"stutteredMrs。Jasher，nowatbayandlookingdangerous。Hersocietyveneerwasstrippedoff，andtheadventuresspureandsimplecametothesurface。
Indignantatthewayinwhichshehaddeceivedeveryone，andhavingmuchatstake，Randomdidnotspareher。
"Itisnotamistake，"heinsisted；"neitherisitalie。WhenIbecameawarethatyoumusthavewrittentheletter，IdroveatoncetoJessumtoseeifyouhadgonetoLondon，asyouhadposteditthere。Ilearnedfromthestationmasterandfromaporterthatyouwenttotownbytheseveno’clocktrainandreturnedbythemidnight。"
Mrs。Jasherleapedtoherfeet。
"Theycouldnotrecognizeme。Iwore-"Thenshestopped，confusedathavingsoplainlybetrayedherself。
"Youworeaveil。Allthesame，Mrs。Jasher，youaretoowellknownhereaboutsforanyonetofailtorecognizeyou。Besides，yourremarkjustnowprovesthatIamright。Youwrotethisblackmailingletter，andIdemandanexplanation。"
"Ihavenonetogive，"mutteredthewomanfiercely，andfightingeveryinch。
"Ifyourefusetoexplaintomeyoushalltothepolice，"saidSirFrank，risingandmakingforthedoor。
Mrs。Jasherflungherselfforwardandclungtohim。
"ForGod’ssake，don’t！"
"Thenyouwillexplain？Youwilltellme？"
"Tellyouwhat？"
"WhomurderedSidneyBolton。"
"Idonotknow。IswearIdonotknow，"shecriedfeverishly。
"Thatisridiculous，"saidRandomcoldly。"Yousayinthisletterthatyoucanhangmeorsaveme。AsyouknowthatIaminnocent，youmustbeawarewhoisguilty。"
"It’sallbluff。Iknownothing，"saidMrs。Jasher，releasinghisarmandthrowingherselfonthecouch。"Ionlywishedtogetmoney。"
"Fivethousandpounds-eh？Ratheralargeorder，"sneeredRandom，replacingtheletterinhispocket。"Youwouldnotaskthatsumfornothing:youmustbeawareofthetruth。I
suspectedmanypeople，Mrs。Jasher，butneveryou。"
Thewomanroseandflungoutherarms。
"No，"shesaidinadeepvoice，andfightinglikearatinacorner。"Itrickedyoualldownhere。SirFrank，Iwilltellyouthetruth。"
"Aboutthemurder？"
"Iknownothingofthat。Aboutmyself。"
Randomshruggedhisshoulders。
"I’llhearaboutyourselffirst，"hesaid。"Icanlearndetailsconcerningthemurderlater。Goon。"
"Iknownothingofthemurderorofthetheftoftheemeralds-"
"Yetyouhidthemummyinthishouse，andafterwardsplaceditinyourarbortobefoundbytheProfessor，forsomereason。"
"Iknownothingaboutthateither，"mutteredMrs。Jasherdoggedly，andwithverywhitelips。"Thatletteryouhavetracedtomeisallbluff。"
"Thenyouadmithavingwrittenit？"
"Yes，"shesaidsullenly。"Youknowtoomuch，anditisuselessformetodenythetruthinthefaceoftheevidenceyoubringagainstme。Iwouldfightthough，"sheadded，raisingherheadlikeasnakeitscrest，"ifIwasnotsickandtiredoffighting。"
"Fighting？"
"Yes，againsttroubleandworryandmoneydifficultiesandcreditors。Oh，"shestruckherbreast，"whatdoyouknowoflife，yourich，easy-goingman？Ihavebeeninthedepths，andnotthroughmyownfault。Ihadabadmother，abadhusband。I
wasdraggedinthemirebythosewhoshouldhavehelpedmetorise。Ihavestarvedfordays；Ihaveweptforyear’s；inallGod’searththereisnomoremiserableacreaturethanIam。"
"Kindlytalkwithoutsomuchmelodrama，"saidRandomcruelly。
"Ah，"Mrs。Jashersatdownandlockedherhandstogether，"youdon’tbelieveme。Idaresayyoudon’tunderstand，forlife，reallife，isasealedbooktoyou。Itisuselessformetoappealtoyoursympathy，foryouaresoveryignorant。Letussticktofacts。Whatdoyouwishtoknow？"
"WhokilledSidneyBolton:whohastheemeralds。"
"Ican’ttellyou。Listen！Withmypastlifeyouhavenothingtodo。IwillcommencefromthetimeIcamedawnhere。Ihadjustlostmyhusband，andImanagedtoscrapetogetherafewhundredpounds-oh，quiteinarespectableway，Iassureyou，"
sheaddedscoffingly，onseeingherlistenerwince。"Icameheretotryandlivequietly，and，ifpossible，tosecurearichhusband。IknewthattheFortwashereandthoughtthatImightmarryanofficer。However，theProfessor’spositionattractedme，andIdecidedtomarryhim。Iamengaged，andbutforyourclevernessintracingthatletterIshouldbeMrs。Braddockwithinaveryshorttime。Ihaveexhaustedallmymoney。Iamdeeply，indebt。Icannotholdoutlonger。"
"Butthemoneyyouinherited-"
"Thatisallbluffalso。Ineverhadabrother。Iinheritnomoney。IknownothingofPekin，savethatafriendofminesendsthatscenttomeasayearlyChristmaspresent。Iamanadventuress，butperhapsnotsobadasyouthinkme。LucyandDonnaInezhaveheardnowickednessfrommylips。Ihavealwaysbeenagoodwomaninonesense-amoralwoman，thatis-andI
didwishtomarrytheProfessorandliveahappylife。SeeingthatIwasattheendofmyresources，andthatProfessorBraddockexpectedalegacywithmebeforemarriage，Ilookedroundto，seehowIcouldgetthemoney。IheardthatyouwereaccusedbyCaptainHervey，andsolastnightIwrotethatletterandposteditinLondon，thinkingthatyouwouldyieldtosaveyourselffromarrest。"
Randomlaughedcynically。
"Youmusthavethoughtmeweak，"diemuttered。
"Idid，"saidMrs。Jasherfrankly。"Totellyouthetruth，I
thoughtthatyouwereafool。Butbytracingthatletterandwithstandingmydemand，youhaveprovedyourselftobemorecleverthanItookyoutobe。Well，thatisall。Iknownothingofthemurder。Myletterissheerblufftoextortfromyoufivethousandpounds。HadyoupaidIshouldhavepasseditofftotheProfessorasthemoneylefttomebymybrother。Butnow-"
"Now，"saidRandom，risingtogo，"IshalltellwhatyouhavetoldmetotheProfessor，and-"
"Andhandmeovertothepolice，"saidMrs。Jasher，shruggingherplumpshoulders，"Well，Iexpectedthat。YetIfanciedforoldtimes’sakethatyoumighthavebeenmorelenient。"
"Wewereneveranythingbutacquaintances，Mrs。Jasher，"saidRandomcoldly，"soIfailtoseewhyyoushouldexpectmercyafterthewayinwhichyouhavebehaved。Youexpecttoblackmailme，andyetgofree。Imustpunishyousomehow，soIshalltellProfessorBraddock，asyoucertainlycannotmarryhim。ButI
shallnothandyouovertothepolice。"
"Youwon’t？"Mrs。Jasherstared，scarcelyabletobelieveherears。
"No。Givemeadaytothinkovermatters，andIshallarrangewhattodowithyou。Ithinkthereissomegoodinyou，Mrs。
Jasher，andsoIshallseeifIcan’tassistyou。InthemeantimeIshallhaveyourcottagewatched，sothatyoumaynotrunaway。"
"Inthatcase，youmayaswellhandmeovertothepolice，"shesaidbitterly。
"Notatall，"rejoinedRandomcoolly。"Icantrustmyservant，Whoisstupidbuthonestandisdevotedtome。I’llseethateverythingiskeptquiet。ButifyouattempttorunawayIshallhaveyouarrestedforblackmail。Youunderstand？"
"Yes。Youaretreatingmeverywell，"shegasped。"WhenshallI
seeyou？"
"To-morrowevening。ImusttalkthematteroverwithBraddock。
To-morrowIshallarrangewhattodo，andprobablyIshallgiveyouachanceofleadinganewlifeinsomeotherpartoftheworld。Whatdoyousay？"
"Iaccept。Indeed，thereisnothingelseleftformetodo。"
"Thatisanungratefulspeech，"saidRandomseverely。
"Idaresay。However，wecantalkofgratitudetomorrow。
Meanwhile，pleaseleaveme。"
SirFrankwenttothedoorandtherepaused。
"Remember，"hesaiddistinctly，"thatyourcottageisbeingwatched。TrytoescapeandIshallhaveyouarrested。"
Mrs。Jashergroanedandburiedherfaceinthesofacushion。
CHAPTERXXII
AWEDDINGPRESENT
Mrs。JasherhadthoughtRandomexceedinglycleverinactingashehaddonetotrapher。Shewouldhavethoughthimstillmorecleverhadsheknownthathetrustedtothepowerofsuggestiontopreventherfromtryingtoescape。SirFrankhadnottheslightestintentionofsettinghissoldier-servanttowatch，assuchwasnotthedutyforwhichsuchservantsarehired。Buthavingimpressedfirmlyontheadventuress’smindthathewouldactinthisway，hedeparted，quitecertainthatthewomanwouldnotattempttorunaway。Althoughnoonewaswatchingthecottage，Mrs。Jasher，believingwhathadbeentoldher，wouldthinkthatsharpeyeswereonherdoorsandwindowsdayandnight，andwouldfirmlybelievethatifshetriedtogetawayshewouldbecapturedforthwithbythePiersidepolice，orperhapsbythevillageconstable。LikeanEasternenchanter，thebaronethadplacedaspellonthecottage，anditactedadmirably。Mrs。
Jasher，althoughlongingtoescapeandhideherself，remainedwhereshewas，cowedbyaspywhodidnotexist。
ThenextdayRandomwenttothePyramidsassoonashisdutiespermittedandsawtheProfessor。Totheprospectivebridegroomheexplainedallthathadhappened，anddisplayedtheanonymousletter，withanaccountofhowhehadprovedMrs。Jashertobethewriter。Braddock’shaircouldnotstandonend，ashehadnone，buthelosthistempercompletely，andragedupanddownthemuseuminawaywhichfrightenedCockatoooutofhisbarbaricwits。Whenmorequiethesatdowntodiscussthematter，andpromptlydemandedthatMrs。Jashershouldbehandedovertothepolice。ButhemighthaveguessedthatSirFrankwouldrefusetofollowthisextremeadvice。
"Shehasactedbadly，Iadmit，"saidtheyoungman。"Allthesame，Ithinksheisabetterwomanthanyoumaythink，Professor。"
"Think！think！think！"shoutedthefierylittleman，gettinguponcemoretotrotupanddownlikeaninfuriatedpoodle。"I
thinksheisabadwoman，awickedwoman。Todeceivemeintothinkingherrichand-"
"Butsurely，Professor，youwishedtomarryheralsoforlove？"
"Nothingofthesort，sir:nothingofthesort。Ileaveloveandsuch-liketrashtothoselikeyourselfandHope，whohavenothingelsetothinkabout。"
"Butamarriagewithoutlove-"
"Pooh！pooh！pooh！Don’targuewithme，Random。Loveisallmoonshine。Ididnotlovemyfirstwife-Lucy’smother-andyetwewereveryhappy。HadImadeMrs。Jashermysecond，weshouldhavegotonexcellently，providedthemoneywasforthcomingformyEgyptianexpedition。WhatamItodonow，I
askyou，Random？EventhethousandpoundsyoupayforthemummygoesbacktothatinfernalHopebecauseofLucy’ssillyideas。I
havenothing-absolutelynothing，andthattombisamongstthoseEthiopianhills，Iswear，waitingtobeopened。Oh，whatachanceIhavemissed！-whatachance！ButIshallseeMrs。
Jashermyself。Sheknowsaboutthismurder。"
"Shedeclaresthatshedoesnot。"
"Don’ttellme！don’ttellme！"vociferatedtheProfessor。"Shewouldnothavewrittenthatletterhadsheknownnothing。"
"Thatwasbluff。Iexplainedallthat。"
"Bluffbehanged！"criedBraddock，onlyheusedamorevigorousword。"Idonotbelievethatshewouldhavedaredtoactonsuchaslightfoundation。Ishallseehermyselfthisveryafternoonandforcehertoconfess。InonewayoranotherIshallfindtheassassinandmakehimdisgorgethoseemeraldsunderthepenaltyofbeinghanged。ThenIcansellthemandfinancemyEgyptianexpedition。"
"Butyouforget，Professor，thattheemeralds，whenfound，belongtoDonPedro。"
"Theydon’t，"raspedthelittleman，turningpurplewithrage。
"Irefusetolethimhavethem。Iboughtthemummy，andthecontentsofthemummy，includingthoseemeralds。Theyare，mine。"
"No，"saidRandomsharply。"Ibuythemummy，fromyou，sotheypassintomypossessionandbelongtoDeGayangos。Ishallgivethemtohim。"
"You’llhavetofindthemfirst，"saidBraddocksavagely；"andastothemummy，youshan’thaveit。Ideclinetosellit。Sothere！"
"Ifyoudon’t，"saidRandomverydistinctly，"DonPedrowillbringanactionagainstyou，andCaptainHerveywillbecalledasawitnesstoprovethatthemummywasstolen。"
"DonPedrohasn’tthemoney，"saidBraddocktriumphantly；"hecan’tpaylawyer’sfees。"
"ButIcan，"rejoinedtheyoungmanverydryly。"AsIamgoingtomarryDonnaInez，itisonlyjustthatIshouldhelpmyfuturefather-in-lawineveryway。HehasaromanticfeelingaboutthisrelicofpoorhumanityandwishestotakeitbacktoPeru。Heshalldoso。"
"Andwhataboutme？-whataboutme？"
Well，"saidRandom，speakingslowlywiththeintentionofstillfurtherirritatingthelittleman，whoseselfishnessannoyedhim，"ifIwereyouIshouldmarryMrs。Jasherandsettledownquietlyinthishousetoliveonwhatincomeyouhave。"
Braddockturnedpurpleagainandspluttered。
"Howdareyoumakeapropositionlikethattome，sir？"hebellowed。"Youaskmetomarrythislowwoman，thisadventuress，this-this-this-"Wordsfailedhim。
OfcourseRandomhadnointentionofadvisingsuchamarriage，althoughhedidnotthinksobadlyofMrs。JasherasdidtheProfessor。Butthelittlemanwassovenomousthattheyoungmantookadelightinstirringhimup，usingthewidow’snameasaredragtothisparticularbull。
"IdonotthinkMrs。Jasherisabadwoman，"heremarked。
"What！what！what！Afterwhatshehasdone？Blackmail！
blackmail！blackmail！"
"Thatisbad，Iadmit，butshehasfailedtogetwhatshewanted，and，afterall，youindirectlyarethecauseofherwritingthatblackmailingletter。"
"Iam？-Iam？Howdareyou？"
"Yousee，shewantedtogetfivethousandoutofmeasherdowry。"
"Yes，andtoldmeliesaboutherdamnedbrotherwhowasaPekinmerchant，whenafterallheneverexisted。"
"Oh，Idon’tdefendthat，"saidRandomcoolly。"Mrs。Jasherhasbehavedbadlyonthewhole。Still，Professor，Ithinkthereisgoodinher，asIsaidbefore。Sheevidentlyhadbadparentsandabadhusband；but，sofarasIcangather，sheisnotanimmoralwoman。Thepoorwretchonlycameheretotryanddragherselfoutofthemire。IfshehadmarriedyouIfeelsurethatshewouldhavemadeyouamostexcellentwife。"
TheProfessorwasinsucharagethathesuddenlybecamecalm。
"Ofcourseyoutalkabsoluterubbish，"hesaidcaustically。"HadImywaythiswomanwouldbewhippedatacart’stailfortheshamefulwayinwhichshehasdeceivedusall。However，Ishallseeherto-dayandmakeherconfesswhomurderedBolton。"
"DonPedrowillbegreatlyobligedifyoudo。Hewantsthoseemeralds。"
"SodoI，andifIgetthemIshallkeepthem，"snappedBraddock；
"andifyouhaven’tanythingmoretosayyoucanleaveme。I’mbusy。"
Astherewasnothingmoretobedonewiththecholericlittleman，SirFranktookthehintanddeparted。HewentforthwithtotheWarriorInntoseeDonPedroandalsoDonnaInez。ButitsohappenedthatthegirlhadgonetothePyramidsonavisittoMissKendal，andRandomwassorrythathehadmissedher。
However，itwasjustaswell，ashecouldnowtalkfreelytoDeGayangos。TohimherelatedthewholestoryofMrs。Jasher，anddiscoveredthatthePeruvianalso，asBraddockhaddone，insistedthatMrs。Jasherknewthetruth。
"Shewouldnothavewrittenthatletterifshedidnotknowit，"
saidDonPedro。
"Thenyouthinkthatsheshouldbearrested？"
"No。Wecandealwiththismatterourselves。Atpresentsheisquitesafe，asshecertainlywillnotleavehercottage，seeingthatshethinksitisbeingwatched。LetuspermitBraddocktointerviewher，andseewhathecanlearn。Thenwecandiscussthematterandcometoadecision。"
Randomnoddedabsently。
"IwonderifMrs。JasherwasthewomanwhotalkedtoBoltonthroughthewindow？"heremarked。
"Itisnotimpossible。AlthoughthatdoesnotexplainwhyBoltonborrowedafemaledisguisefromthismother。"
"Mrs。Jashermighthavewornit。"
"ThatwouldarguesomeunderstandingbetweenBoltonandMrs。
Jasher，andaknowledgeofthemanuscriptbeforeBoltonleftforMalta。WeknowthathecouldonlyhaveseenthemanuscriptforthefirsttimeatMalta。Itwasevidentlystowedawayintheswathingsofthemummybymyfather，whoforgotallaboutitwhenhegavemetheoriginal。"
"Herveyforgotalso。Iwonderifthatistrue？"
"Iamcertainitis，"saidDonPedroemphatically，"for，ifHervey，orVasa，orwhateveryouliketocallhim，hadfoundthatmanuscriptandhadgotittranslated，hecertainlywouldhaveopenedthemummyandhavesecuredtheemeralds。No，SirFrank，I
believethathistheoryispartlytrue。Boltonintendedtorunawaywiththeemeralds，andsendtheemptymummytoProfessorBraddock；for，ifyouremember，hearrangedthatthelandlordoftheSailor’sRestshouldforwardthecasenextmorning，evenifhehappenedtobeaway。Boltonintendedtobeaway-withtheemeralds。"
"ThenyoudonotbelievethatHerveyplacedthemanuscriptinmyroom？"
"Hedeclaredmostemphaticallythathedidnot，"saidDonPedro，"whenatPiersideyesterdayIwenttotheSailor’sRestandsawhim。HetoldBraddockonlytheotherdaythathehadlosthischanceofasailingvessel，and，asyet，hadnotgotanotherone。
ButwhenhereturnedtoPiersidehefoundaletterwaitinghim-
sohetoldme-givinghimcommandofafourthousandtontrampsteamercalledTheFirefly。Heistosailatonce-to-morrow，I
believe。"
"Thenwhatishegoingtodoaboutthismurderbusiness？"
"Hecandonothingatpresent，as，ifheremainsinPierside，hewilllosehisnewcommand。To-morrowhedropsdownstream，butmeantimeheintendstowriteoutthewholestoryofthetheftofthemummy。Ihavepromisedtogivehimfiftypoundsfordoingso，asIwanttogetbackthemummy，freeofcharge，fromBraddock。"
"IthinkBraddockwillsticktothemummyinanyevent，"saidRandomgrimly。
"NotwhenHerveywritesouthisevidence。Hewillnothaveitcompletedbythetimehesails，asheisverybusy。ButhehaspromisedtosendoffaboattothejettyneartheFortto-morrowevening，whenheisdroppingdownstream。Ishallbetherewithfiftypoundsingold。"
"Supposinghefailstostoporsendtheboat？"
"Thenhewillnotgethisfiftypounds，"retortedDonPedro。
"Themanisarascal，anddeservesprisonratherthanreward，butsincethemummywasstolenbyhimthirtyyearsback，healonecanprovemyownership。"
"Butwhytakeallthistrouble？"arguedthebaronet。"IcanbuythemummyfromBraddock。"
"No，"saidDonPedro。"Ihavearighttomyownproperty。"
Randomlingereduntillateintheafternoonanduntildarknessfell，ashewasanxioustoseeDonnaInez。Butshedidnotappearuntillate。MeanwhileArchieHopeputinanappearance，havingcometoseeDonPedrowithanaccountofhisinterviewwithWidowAnne。BeforecomingtotheinnhehadcalledonProfessorBraddock，andfromhimhadheardallaboutthewickednessofMrs。Jasher。Hissurprisewasverygreat。
"Ishouldnothavebelievedit，"hedeclared。"Poorwoman！"
"Ah，"saidRandom，ratherpleased，"youaremoremercifulthantheProfessor，Hope。Hecallsherabadwoman。"
"Humph！Idon’tthinkthatBraddockissogoodthathecanaffordtothrowastone，"saidArchierathersourly。"Mrs。
Jasherhasnotbehavedwell，butIshouldliketohearhercompletestorybeforejudging。Theremustbealotofgoodinher，orLucy，whohasbeenwithheragreatdeal，wouldhavefoundheroutlongago。Igobyawoman’sjudgmentofawoman。
ButMrs:Jashermusthavebeenanxioustomarry。"
"Shewas；asProfessorBraddockknows，"saidRandomquickly。
"IamnotthinkingofthatsomuchasofwhatWidowAnnetoldme。"
"Oh，"saidDonPedro，lookingupfromwherehewasseated，"soyouhaveseenthatoldwoman？Whatdoesshesayabouttheclothes？"
"Shestickstoherstory。Sidney，shedeclares，borrowedtheclothestogivetomeforamodel。Now，IneveraskedBoltontodothis，soIfancythedisguisemusthavebeenintendedforhimself，orforMrs。Jasher。"
"ButwhathadMrs。Jashertodowithhim？"demandedRandomsharply。
"Well，it’sodd，"repliedHopeslowly，"butMrs。BoltondeclaresthathersonwasinlovewithMrs。Jasher，andwhenhereturnedfromMaltaintendedtomarryher。"
"Impossible！"criedSirFrank。"SheengagedherselftoBraddock。
"ButonlyafterBolton’sdeath，remember。"
DonPedronodded。
"Thatistrue。Butwhatyousay，Mr。Hope，provesthetruthofHervey’stheory。"
"Inwhatway？"
"Mrs。Jasher，asweknowfromwhatRandomtoldus，wantedmoney。
Shewouldnotmarryamanwhowaspoor。Boltonwaspoor，butofcoursetheemeraldswouldmakehimwealthy，astheyareofimmensevalue。Probablyheintendedtostealtheminordertomarrythiswoman。ThisimplicatesMrs。Jasherinthecrime。"
"Yes，"assentedSirFrank，nodding。"ButasBoltondidnotknowthattheemeraldsexistedbeforeheboughtthemummyinMalta，I
donotseewhyheshouldborrowadisguisebeforehandforMrs。
JashertomeethimattheSailor’sRest。"
"Thethingiseasilysettled，"saidHopeimpatiently。"LetusbothgotoMrs。Jasher’sthisevening，andinsistuponthetruthbeingtold。IfsheconfessesabouthersecretengagementtoSidneyBolton，shemayadmitthattheclotheswereborrowedforher。"
"Andshemayadmitalsothatsheplacedthemanuscriptinmyroom，"saidSirFrankafterapause。"Herveydidnotplaceitthere，butitisjustpossiblethatMrs。Jasher，havinggotitfromBoltonwhensheTalkedtohimthroughthewindow，mayhavedoneso。"
"Nonsense！"saidHopewithvigorouscommonsense。"Mrs。Jasherwouldbespottedinamomentifshehadgonetoyourquarters。
Shehadtopassthesentry，remember。Then，again，wehavenotyetprovedthatshewasthewomaninMrs。Bolton’sclotheswhospokethroughthewindow。Thatcanallbesettledifwespeaktoherthisevening。"
"Verygood。"Randomglancedathiswatch。"Imustgetback。DonPedro，willyoutellInezthatIshallcomeinthisevening？Wecanthentalkfurtheraboutthesematters。Hope？"
"Ishallstophere，asIwishtoconsultDonPedro。"
Randomnoddedandtookareluctantdeparture。Hedearlywished，asanengagedlovershould，toremainonthechancethatDonnaInezmightreturn，butdutycalledhimandhewasforcedtoobey。
Thenightwasverydark，althoughitwasnotparticularlylate。
Buttherewasnorain，andRandomwalkedrapidlythroughthevillageanddowntheroadtotheFort。HecaughtaglimpseofthelightsofMrs。Jasher’scottagetwinklinginthedistance，andsmiledgrimlyashethoughtoftheinvisiblespellhehadplacedthereon。NodoubtMrs。JasherwasshiveringinherLouisQuinzeshoesattheideaofbeingwatched。Butthen，shedeservedthatmuchpunishmentatleast，asRandomtrulythought。
WhenenteringtheFort，thesentrysalutedasusual，andRandomwasabouttopass，whenthemansteppedforward，holdingoutabrownpaperpackage。
"Please，sir，Ifoundthisinmysentrybox，"hesaid，saluting。
SirFranktookthepacket。
"Whoplaceditthere？andwhydoyougiveittome？"hedemandedinsurprise。
"Please，sir，it’sdirectedtoyou，sir，andIdon’tknowwhoputitinmybox，sir。Iwasonduty，sir，andI’sposesomeonemusthavedroppeditonthefloorofthebox，sir，whenIwasattheotherendofmybeat，sir。Itwasasdarkasthis，sir，andI
sawnothingandheardnothing。WhenIcomeback，sir，Isteppedintotheboxoutoftherainandfeltitwithmy，feet。Istruckalight，sir，andfounditwasforyou。"
SirFrankslippedthepackageintohispocketandwentawayafteragrimwordorsotothesentry，advisinghimtobemoreonthealert。Hewaspuzzledtothinkwhohadleftthepacketinthesentrybox，andcurioustoknowwhatitcontained。Assoonashegottohisownroom，hecutthestringwhichboundlooselythebrownpaper。Then，inthelamplight，thererolledoutfromthecarelessly-tiedparcelaglorioussea-greenemeraldofgreatsize，radiatinglightlikeasun。Ascrapofwhitepaperlayinthebrownwrapping。Onitwaswritten，"AweddinggiftforSirFrankRandom。"
CHAPTERXXIII
JUSTINTIME
Ofallthesurprisesinconnectionwiththetragedyofthegreenmummy，thiswassurelythegreatest。SidneyBoltonhadundoubtedlybeenmurderedforthesakeoftheemeralds，andtheassassinhadescapedwiththespoil，forwhichhehadsoldhissoul。YetherewasoneofthejewelsreturnedanonymouslytoRandom，whocouldpassonthesametoitsrightfulowner。InthemidstofhisamazementSirFrankcouldnothelpchucklingwhenhethoughthowenragedProfessorBraddockwouldbeatDonPedro’sgoodfortune。Attheeleventhhour，asitwere，thePeruvianhadgotbackhisown，oratleastaportionofhisown。
Placingtheemeraldinhisdrawer，Randomgaveorderstohisservantthatthesentry，whenoffduty，shouldbebroughtbeforehim。JustasRandomfinisheddressingformess-andhedressedveryearly，soastodevotehisentireattentiontosolvingthisnewproblem-thesoldierwhohadbeenonguardappeared。Buthecouldtellnothingmorethanhehadalreadyrelated。Whendoingsentry-goimmediatelyoutsidethegateoftheFort，thepackethadbeenslippedintothebox，whilethemanwasatthefarendofhisbeat。Itwasquitedarkwhenthiswasdone，andthesoldierconfessedthathehadnotheardasound，muchlesshadheseenanyone。Thepersonwhohadbroughtthegloriousgemhadwatchedhisopportunity，and，soft-footedasacat，hadstolenforwardinthedarknesstodropthepreciousparcelonthefloorofthesentry-box。Therethemanhadfounditbythefeelofhisfeet，whenhesteppedinsometimelatertoescapeashower。Butwhattimehadelapsedfromtheplacingoftheparceltoitsdiscoverybythesentryitwasimpossibletosay。Itmust，however，asRandomcalculated，havebeenwithinthehour，since，beforethen，itwouldnothavebeendarkenoughtohidetheapproachoftheperson，whethermaleorfemale，whocarriedaking’sransominthebrownpaperparcel。
AtfirstRandomwasinclinedtoplacethesentryunderarrestforhavingfailedsomuchinhisdutyastoallowanyonetoapproachsoneartheFort；but，ashehadalreadyreprimandedtheman，and，moreover，wishedtokeepthefactoftherecoveredjewelquiet，hesimplydismissedhim。Whenalone，hesatdownbeforethefire，wonderingwhocouldhavedaredsoverygreatly，andforwhatreasontheemeraldhadbeenhandedtohim。IfithadbeensenttoDonPedro，oreventoProfessorBraddock，itwouldhavebeenmuchmorereasonable。
ItfirstoccurredtohimthatMrs。Jasher，outofgratitudeforthewayinwhichhehadtreatedher，hadsenthimthejewel。
Rememberinghisformerexperience，hesmelttheparcel，butcoulddetectnosignofthefamousChinesescentwhichhadprovedacluetotheletter。Ofcoursethedirectiononthepacketandtheinscribedslipofpaperwereinfeignedhandwriting，sohecouldgathernothingfromthat。Still，hedidnotthinkthatMrs。Jasherhadsenttheemerald。Shewasdesperatelyhardup，andifshehadbecomepossessedofthegembymurder-presuminghertohavebeenthewomanwhotalkedtoBoltonthroughthewindow-sheassuredlywouldhavesoldittosupplyherownneeds。Certainly，ifguilty，shewouldstillpossesstheotheremerald，ofequalvalue；butundoubtedly，hadsheriskedhernecktogainafortune，shewouldhavekepttheentireplunderwhichwaslikelytocosthersodear。No；whomsoeveritwaswhohadrepentedattheeleventhhourMrs。Jasherwasnottheperson。
PerhapsWidowAnnewasthewomanwhohadtalkedthroughthewindow，andwhohadrestoredtheemerald。Butthatwasimpossible，sinceMrs。Boltonhabituallytookmoreliquorthanwasgoodforher，andwouldnothavethenervetodeliverthejewel，muchlesscommitthecrime，themoreespeciallyasthevictimwasherownson。OfcourseshemighthavefoundoutSidney’sschemetorunawaywiththejewels，andsowouldhaveclaimedhershare。ButifshehadbeeninPiersideonthatevening-andherpresenceinGartleyhadbeensworntobythreeorfourcronies-shewouldhaveguessedwhohadstrangledherboy。Ifso，notallthejewelsintheworldwouldhavepreventedherdenouncingthecriminal。Withallherfaults-andtheyweremany-Mrs。Boltonwasagoodmother，andlookeduponSidneyastheprideandjoyofhersomewhatdissipatedlife。Mrs。BoltonwascertainlyasinnocentasMrs。Jasher。
ThereremainedHervey。Randomlaughedaloudwhenthenamecameintohispuzzledhead。Thatbuccaneerwasthelastpersontosurrenderhisplunderortofeelcompunctionincommittingacrime。Oncetheskippergothisgripontwojewels，worthendlessmoney，hewouldneverletthemgo-notevenoneofthem。
Arguingthus，itseemedthatHerveywasoutoftherunning，andRandomcouldthinkofnooneelse。Inthisdilemmaherememberedthattwoheadswerebetterthanone，and，beforegoingintodinner，hesentanotetoArchieHope，askinghimtocometotheFortasspeedilyaspossible。
SirFrankwassomewhatdullatdinneronthatevening，andscarcelyrespondedtothejokingremarksofhisbrotherofficers。
Thesejocularlyputhispreoccupationdowntolove，foritwasanopensecretthatthebaronetadmiredthefairPeruvian，althoughnooneasyetknewthatRandomwaslegallyengagedwithDonPedro’sconsent。Theyoungmangood-humoredlystoodallthechaffhurledathim，butseizedtheopportunitytoslipawaytohisquartersassoonascoffeecameonthetableandthesmokingbegan。Itwasnineo’clockbeforehereturnedtohisroom，andherehefoundHopewaitingforhimimpatiently。
"IseeyouhavebeendiningatthePyramids，"saidRandom，seeingthatHopewasineveningdress。
Archienodded。
"Yes。Idon’tputonthiskittohavemyhumblechopatmylodgings。ButtheProfessoraskedmetodinnertotalkovermatters。"
"Whatdoeshesay？"askedRandom，lookingforthecigarettebox。
"Oh，heisveryangrywithMrs。Jasher，andconsidersthatshehasswindledhim。Hecalledtoseeherthisafternoon，and-sohesays-hadastormyinterviewwithher。"
"Idon’twonderatthat，ifhespeaksashegenerallydoes，"saidtheothergrimly，andpushingalongthecigarettes，"Thereyouare！Thewhiskyandsodaareonyondertable。Makeyourselfcomfortable，andtellmewhattheProfessorintendstodo。"
"Well，"saidArchie，turninghalfroundfromthesidetablewherehewaspouringoutthewhisky，"hehadalreadystartedaction，bysendingCockatootoliveattheSailor’sRestandspyonHervey。"
"Whatrubbish！Herveyis，goingawayto-morrowinTheFirefly，boundforAlgiers。Nothingistobelearnedfromhim。"
"SoItoldtheProfessor，"saidHope，returningtothearmchairnearthefire，"andImentionedthatDonPedrohadinducedtheskippertowriteoutafullaccountofthetheftofthemummyfromLimathirtyyearsago。IalsosaidthatthesignedpaperwouldbehandedinattheGartleyjettywhenTheFireflycamedownstreamto-morrownight。"
"Humph！AndwhatdidBraddocksaytothat？"
"Nothingmuch。HemerelystatedthatwhateverHerveysaidtowardprovingtheownershipofyourfuturefather-in-law，thatheintendedtosticktotheembalmedcorpseofIncaCaxas，andalsothatheintendedtoclaimtheemeraldswhentheyturnedup。"
Randomroseandwenttothedrawerofhisdesk。
"Iamafraidhehaslostoneemerald，atallevents，"hesaid，unlockingthedrawer。
"What’sthat？"saidHopesharply。"Whydidyou-oh，gosh！"HejumpedupwithanamazedlookasRandomheldupthemagnificentgem，fromwhichstreamedvividlygreenflamesinthemellowlamplight。"Oh，gosh！"gaspedtheartistagain。"wherethedevildidyougetthat？"
"Isentforyoutotellyou，"saidSirFrank，givingthejewelintohisfriend’shandandcomingbacktohisseat。"Itwasfoundinthesentrybox。"
Hopestaredatthegreatjewelandthenatthesoldier。
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"hedemanded。"Howthedickenscoulditbefoundinasentrybox？Youmustbemakingamistake。"
"Notabitofit。Itwasfoundontheflooroftheboxbythesentry，asItellyou，andIhavesenttoconsultwithyouastohowthedeuceitgotthere。"
"Hervey，"mutteredArchie，fascinatedbythegem。
Randomshruggedhissquareshoulders。
"CatchthatYankeeShylockreturninganythinghegothisgripon，evenasaweddingpresent。"
"Aweddingpresent，"saidHope，moreatseathanever。"Ifyoudon’tmindgivingmedetails，oldchap，myheadwouldbuzzless。"
"Iratherthinkthatitwillbuzzmore，"saidRandomdryly，and，producingthebrownpaperinwhichthegemhadbeenwrapped，andtheinscribedpaperfoundwithin，herelatedallthathadhappened。