第7章
Archielistenedquietlyanddidnotinterrupt，butthepuzzledlookonhisfacegrewmorepronounced。
"Well，"endedRandom，seeingthatnoremarkwasmadewhenhehadfinished，"whatdoyouthink？"
"Lordknows！I’llgooutofmymindifthesesortofthingscomealong。Iamasimplesortofchap，andhavenouseformysterieswhichbeatallthedetectivestoriesIhaveeverread。Thatsortofthingisallverywellinfiction，butinreallife-humph！
Whatareyougoingtodo？"
"GivebacktheemeraldtoDonPedro。"
"Ofcourse，though，itisgiventoyouforaweddingpresent。
Andthen？"
Then"-Randomstaredintothefire-"Idon’tknow。Iaskedyouintoassistme。"
"Willingly；buthow？"
Randomponderedforafewmoments。
"Whosentthatemeraldtome，doyouthink？"heasked，lookingsquarelyattheartist。
Hopemeditativelyturnedthejewelinhislongfingers。
"WhynotaskMrs。Jasher？"hesuggestedsuddenly。
"No！"SirFrankshookhishead。"Ifancieditmightbeher，butitcannotbe。Ifsheisguilty-asshemustbe，shouldshehavesenttheemerald-shewouldnotpartwithherplunderwhensheissohardup。Iambeginningtobelieve，Hope，thatwhatshesaidwastrueabouttheletter。"
"Howdoyoumeanexactly？"
"Thattheletterwasmerebluffandthatshereallyknowsnothingaboutthecrime。Bytheway，didBraddocklearnanything？"
"Notathing。Hemerelysaidthatthetwoofthemfought。I
expectBraddockstormedandMrs。Jasherretorted。Bothofthemhavetoomuchtongue-musictocometoanyunderstanding。Bytheway-toecho，yourownphrase-youhadbetterputawaythisgemorIshallbestranglingyoumyselfinordertogainpossessionofit。Themeresightofthatgorgeouscolortemptsmebeyondmystrength。"
Randomlaughedandlockedthejewelinhisdrawer。Hopesuggestedthatwithsuchaflimsylockitwasunsafe，butthebaronetshookhishead。
"Itissaferherethaninawoman’sjewelcase，"heasserted。
"Noonelookstomydrawer，andcertainlynoonewouldexpecttofindacrownjewelofthisdescriptioninmyquarters。Well，"hecamebacktohisseat，slippinghiskeysintohistrouserpockets，"thewholethingpuzzlesme。"
"WhynotdoasIsuggestandgotoMrs。Jasher？Inanycaseyouaregoingthereto-night，areyounot？"
"Yes。Iwanttodecidewhattodoaboutthewoman。Ihadintendedtogoalone，butasyouarehereyoumayaswellcomealso。"
"Ishallbedelighted。Whatdoyouintendtodo？"
"Helpher，"saidRandombriefly。
"Shedoesn’tdeserveit，"repliedHope，lightingafreshcigarette。
"Doesanyoneeverdeserveanything？"askedSirFrankcynically。
"WhatdoesMissKendalthinkofthebusiness？IsupposeBraddocktoldher。Hehastoolongatonguetokeepanythingtohimself。"
"Hetoldheratdinner，whenIwaspresent。Lucyisquiteonyourside。ShesaysthatshehadknownMrs。Jasherformonthsandthatthereisgoodinher，althoughIamboundtosaythatLucywasatrifleshocked。"
"DoesshewantMrs。Jashertomarryherfathernow？"
"Herstep-father，"correctedArchieimmediately。"No，thatisoutofthequestion。ButshewouldlikeMrs。Jashertobehelpedoutofherdifficultiesandhaveafairstart。ItwasonlybythegreatestdiplomacythatIpreventedLucygoingtoseethewretched:womanthisevening。"
"Whydidyoupreventher？"
Archiecolored。
"IdaresayIamatrifleprudish，"hereplied，"butafterwhathashappenedIdonotwishLucytoassociatewithMrs。Jasher。
Doyoublameme？"
"No，Idon’t。Allthesame，Idon’tthinkthatMrs。Jasherisanimmoralwomanbyanymeans。"
"Perhapsnot；butweneedn’tdiscusshercharacter，asweknowpreciouslittleofherpast，andshenodoubttoldyouthestorythatbestsuitedherself。Ithinkitwillbebesttomakehertellallsheknowsthisevening，andthensendherawaywithasumofmoney，inherpockettobeginanewlife。"
"Ishallhelphercertainly，"saidRandom，withhiseyesonthefire，"butcan’tsayexactlyhow。Itismy，opinionthatthepoorwretchismoresinnedagainstthansinning。"
"Youareasoldierwithaconscience，Random。"
Theotherlaughed。
"Whyshouldn’tasoldierhaveaconscience？Doyoutakeyourideaofofficersfromtheladynovelist，whomakesusouttobeallidleidiots？"
"Notexactly。Allthesame，manyamanwouldnottakethetroubletobehaveasyouaredoingtothisunluckywoman。"
"Anyman，whowasaman，whethersoldierorcivilian，wouldhelpsuchapoorcreature。AndIbelieve，Hope，thatyouwillhelpheralso。"
Theartistleapedtohisfeetimpulsively。
"Ofcourse。I’mwithyourightalong，asHerveywouldsay。Butfirst，beforedecidingwhatweshalldotosetMrs。Jasheronherlegsagain，letushearwhatshehastosay。"
"Shecansaynothingmorethanshehassaid，"remonstratedRandom。
"Idon’tbelievethat，"repliedHope，reachingforhisovercoat。
"Youmaychoosetobelievethattheletterwastheoutcomeofbluff。ButIreallyandtrulythinkthatMrs。Jasherisintheknow。Whatismore，IbelievethatBoltongotherthoseclothes，andthatshewasthewomanwhotalkedtohim-wenttheretoseehowthelittleschemewasprogressing。"
"IfIthoughtthat，"saidRandomcoldly，"IwouldnothelpMrs。
Jasher。"
"Oh，yes，youwould。Thegreaterthesinnerthemoreneedsheorhehasofhelp，youknow，mydearfellow。Butgetyourcoaton，andletustoddle。Idon’tsupposeweneedpistols。"
SirFranklaughed，as，aidedbytheartist，hestruggledintohismilitarygreatcoat。
"Idon’tsupposethatMrs。Jasherwillbedangerous，"heremarked。"We’llgetwhatwecanoutofher，andthenarrangewhatisbesttobedonetorecoupherfallenfortunes。Thenshecangowhereshechooses，andwecan，-astheFrenchsay-
returntoourmuttons。"
"IthinkDonnaInezandLucywouldbeannoyedtohearthemselvescalledmuttons，"laughedArchie，andthetwomenlefttheroom。
Thenightwasdarkerthanever，andafinerainwasfallingincessantly。Whentheyleftthedimlylightedarchwayofthefortthroughthesmaller，gatesetinthelargeronetheysteppedintomidnightblacknesssuchasmusthavebeenspreadoverthelandofEgypt。InaccordancewiththeprimitivecustomsofGartleyinhabitants，oneofthematleastshouldhavebeenfurnishedwithalantern，asitwasnoeasytasktopickacleanwaythroughthemud-However，Archie，knowingthesurroundingsbettereventhanRandom，ledtheway，andtheywalkedslowlythroughtheirongateonthehardhighroadwhichledtotheFort。ImmediatelybeyondthistheyturnedtowardsthenarrowcinderpathwhichledthroughthemarshestoMrs。Jasher’scottage，andtoiledoncautiouslythroughthemistyrain，whichfellcontinuously。Thefogwasdriftingupfromthemouthoftheriverandwasgrowingsothickthattheycouldnotseethesomewhatfeeblelightsofthecottage。However，Archie’sinstinctsledhimaright，andtheyblunderedfinallyuponthewoodengate。Heretheypausedinshockedsurprise，forawoman’sscreamrangoutwildlyandsuddenly。
"What，inheaven’sname，isthat？"askedHope，aghast。
"Wemustfindout，"breathedRandom，andracedthroughthewhitecotton-woolofthefogupthepath。Ashereachedtheverandathedooropenedandawomancamerunningoutscreaming。Butotherscreamsinsidethecottagestillcontinued。
"Whatisthematter？"criedRandom，seizingthewoman。
SheprovedtobeJane。
"Oh，sir，mymistressisbeingmurdered-"
Hopeplungedpastherintothecorridor，notwaitingtohearmore。Thecrieshaddieddowntoalowmoaning，andhedashedintothepinkparlortofinditinsmokydarkness。Strikingamatch，hehelditabovehishead。ItshowedMrs。Jasherproneonthefloor，andadarkfiguresmashingitswaythroughtheflimsywindow。Therewasasnarlandthefigurevanishedasthematchwentout，CHAPTERXXIV
ACONFESSION
JanewasstillbeingheldbySirFrankatthefloor，andwasstillscreaming，fullyconvincedthathercaptorwasaburglar，inspiteofhavingrecognizedhimbyhisvoice。Randomwassoexasperatedbyherstupiditythatheshookher。
"Whatisthematter，youfool？"hedemanded。"Don’tyouknowthatIamafriend？"
"Y-e-s，s-i-r，"gaspedJane，fetchingherbreathagainaftertheshaking；"butgoforthepolice。Mymistressisbeingmurdered。"
"Mr。Hopeislookingafterthat，andthescreamshaveceased。
Whowaswithyourmistress？"
"Idon’tknow，sir，"sobbedtheservant。"Ididn’tknowanyonehadcalled，andthenIheardthescreaming。Ilookedintotheparlortoseewhatwasthematter，butthelamphadbeenthrownoverandhadgoneout，andtherewasadreadfulstrugglegoingoninthedarkness，soIscreamedandranoutandthenI-oh-oh"
Janeshowedsymptomsofrenewedhysteria，andclutchedRandomtightly，asamancamecautiouslyroundthecorner。
"Areyouthere，Random？"askedHope’svoice。
"It’ssoinfernallydarkandfoggythatIhavemissedhim。"
"Missedwho？"
"ThemanwhowastryingtomurderMrs。Jasher，HegotherdownwhenIenteredandstruckamatch。ThenhedashedthroughthewindowbeforeIcouldcatchhimorevenrecognizehim。He’svanishedinthemist。"
"It’snouselookingforhimanyhow，"saidRandom，peeringintothedenseblackness，whichwasthickwithdamp。"WehadbetterseeafterMrs。Jasher。"
"Whomhaveyougotthere？"
"Jane-whoseemstohavelostherhead。"
"It’samercyIhaven’tlostmylife，sir，withburglarsandmurderersallabouttheplace，"sobbedthegirl，droppingontotheveranda。
Randompromptlyhauledhertoherfeet。
"Goandgetacandle，andkeepcalmifyoucan，"hesaidinanabruptmilitaryvoice。"Thisisnotimetoplaythefool。"
Hissharpnesshadgreateffectonthegirl，andshebecamemuchmoreherusualself。Hopelightedanothermatch，andthetrioproceededthroughthepassagetowardsthekitchen，whereJanehadleftalampburning。Seizingthisfromitsbracket，SirFrankretracedhiswayalongthepassagetothepinkparlor，followedcloselybyHopeandtimorouslybyJane。Adreadfulscenepresenteditself。Thedaintylittleroomwasliterallysmashedtopieces，asthoughagiganticbullhadbeenwallowingtherein。
Thelamplayonthefloor，surroundedbyseveralextinguishedcandles。Itwasamercythatallthelightshadbeenputoutwhenoverturned，elsethegim-crackcottagewouldhavebeenlongsinceinablaze。Chairsandtablesandscreenswerealsooverturned，andtheonewindowhaditsrose-huedcurtainstorndownanditsglassbroken，showingonlytooclearlythewayinwhichthemurdererhadescaped。AndthatthemanwhohadattackedMrs。JasherwasamurderercouldbeseenfromthestreamofbloodthatranslowlyfromMrs。Jasher’sbreast。Apparentlyshehadbeenstabbedinthelungs，forthewoundwasontherightside。Thereshelay，poorwoman，inhertawdryfinery，crumpledup，batteredandbruised，deadamongsttheruinsofherhome。
Janeimmediatelybegantoscreamagain。
"Stopher，Hope，"criedRandom，whowaskneelingbythebodyandfeelingtheheart。"Mrs。Jasherisnotdead。Holdyournoise，woman，andgoforadoctor。"ThiswastoJane，who，preventedfromscreaming，tooktowhimpering。
"Ihadbettergo，"saidHopequickly；"andI’llgototheFortandalarmthemen。Perhapstheymaycatchtheman。"
"Canyoudescribehim？"
"Ofcoursenot，"saidArchieindignantly。"Ionlycaughtaglimpseofhimbythefeeblelightofalucifermatch。ThenheleapedthroughthewindowandIafterhim。Imadeagrabathim，butlosthiminthemist。Idon’tknowintheleastwhatheislike。"
"Thenhowcananyonearresthim？"snappedRandom，raisingMrs。
Jasher’shead。"Givewhatalarmyoulike，butraceforRobinsonupthevillage。Wemustsavethispoorwoman’slife，ifonlytolearnwhokilledher。"
"Butsheisn’tdeadyet-sheisn’tdeadyet，"wailedJane，clappingherhands，whileHope，knowingthevalueoftime，promptlyranoutofthehousetogetfurtherassistance。
"Shesoonwillbe，"saidSirFrank，whosetemperwasnotofthebestatsocriticalamomentindealingwithafool。"Goandbringmebrandyatonce，andafterwardslinenandhotwater。Wemustdoourbesttostaunchthiswoundandreviveher。"
ForthenextquarterofanhourthemanandthewomanlaboredhardtosaveMrs。Jasher’slife。Randomboundupthewoundinaroughandreadyfashion，andJanefedthepalelipsofhermistresswithsipsofbrandy。Mrs。Jashergraduallybecamemorealive，andafaintsighescapedfromherlips，asherwoundedbosomroseandfellwithrecoveredbreath。WhenSirFrankwasinhopesthatshewouldspeak，shesuddenlyrelapsedagainintoacomatosestate。LuckilyatthatmomentArchiereturnedwithyoungDr。Robinsonathisheels，andalsowasfollowedbyPainter，thevillageconstable，whohadluckilybeenpickedupinthefog。
Robinsonwhistledashelookedattheinsensiblewoman。
"She’shadanarrowsqueak，"hemuttered，liftingthebodywiththeassistanceofRandom。
"Willsherecover？"questionedHopeanxiously。
"Ican’ttellyouyet，"answeredthedoctor；andwithSirFrankhecarriedtheheavybodyofthewidowintoherbedroom。"Howdidithappen？"
"Thatismybusiness，"saidPainter，whohadfollowed，andwhowasnowfilledwithimportance。"Youlookafterthebody，sir，andI’llquestionthesegentlemenandtheservant。"
"Servantyourself！Suchsauce！"mutteredJane，withanangrytossofhercapatthedaringyoungpoliceman。"Iknownothing。
Ileftmymistressintheparlorwritingletters，andneverheardanyonecomein。Thebelldidn’tsoundanyhow。ThefirstthingI
knewthatanythingwaswrongwasonhearingthescreams。WhenI
lookedintotheparlorthecandlesandthelampwereout，andtherewasastrugglegoingoninthedark。ThenIcriedout，verynaturally，I’msure，andranstraightintothearmsofthesegentlemen，assoonasIcouldgetthefrontdooropen。"
Afterdeliveringthisaddress，Janewascalledawaytoassistthedoctorinthebedroom，andalongwithArchieandRandomtheconstablerepairedtothepinkparlortohearwhattheyhadtosay。OfcoursetheycouldtellhimevenlessthanJanehadtold，andArchieprotestedthathewasquiteunabletodescribethemanwhohaddashedoutofthewindow。
"Ah，"saidPaintersapiently，"hegotoutthere；buthowdidheenter？"
"Nodoubtbythedoor，"saidRandomsharply。
"Wedon’tknowthat，sir。Janesaysshedidnothearthebell。"
"Mrs。Jashermighthaveletthemanin，whomsoeverhewas，secretly。"
"Whyshouldshe，sir？"
"Ah！nowyouareaskingmorethanIcantellyou。OnlyMrs。
Jashercanexplain，anditseemstomethatshewilldie。"
Meanwhile，insomemysteriouswaythenewsofthecrimehadspreadthroughthevillage，andalthoughitwasgrowinglate-
foritwaspastteno’clock-adozenorsoofvillagerscamealong。Alsotherearrivedanumberofsoldiersunderasmartsergeant，andtohimSirFrankexplainedwhathadhappened。Inthefaintheartedway-forthemistwasnowlikecotton-wool-
themilitaryandthecivilianshuntedthroughthemarshesroundthecottage，hopingtocomeacrosstheassassinhidinginaditch。Needlesstosay，theyfoundnooneandnothing，foritwasworsethanlookingforaneedleinabundleofhay。Themanhadcomeoutofthemist，and，afterexecutingthedeed，hadvanishedintothemist，andtherewasnottheveryslightestchanceoffindinghim。Gradually，asitdrewtowardsmidnight，thesoldierswentbacktotheFort，andthevillagerstotheirhomes。But，alongwiththedoctorandtheconstable，Hopeandhismilitaryfriendstoppedon。Theyweredeterminedtogetattherootofthemystery，andwhenMrs。Jasherbecamesensibleshewouldbeabletorevealthetruth。
"It’sallofapiecewiththesendingoftheemerald，"saidRandomtotheartist，"andthatisconnected，asweknow，withthedeathofBolton。"
"DoyouthinkthatthismanwhohasstruckdownMrs。JasheristhesameonewhostrangledSidneyBolton？"
"Ishouldthinkso。PerhapsMrs。Jashersenttheemeraldafterall，andthismankilledheroutofrevenge。"
"Buthowwouldheknowthatshehadtheemerald？"
"Godknows！Shemayhavebeenhisaccomplice。"
Archieknithisbrows。
"Whothedevilcanthismysteriouspersonbe？"
"Icanonlyreplyasyouhavedone，myfriend。Godknows。"
"Well，IamcertainthatGodwillnotlethimescapethistime。
ThiswillbringGartleyoncemoreinto，notoriety，"wentonHope。
"Bytheway，IsawoneoftheservantsfromthePyramidshere。I
hopethefoolwon’tgohomeandfrightenLucy’slifeoutofher。"
"GotothePyramidsandseeher，"suggestedSirFrank。"Mrs。
Jasherisstillunconscious，andwillbeforhours，thedoctortellsme。"
"ItistoolatetogotothePyramids，Random。"
"Iftheyknowofthisnewtragedythere，I’llbettheyarenotinbed。"
Hopenodded。
"Allthesame，I’llremainhereuntilMrs。Jashercanspeak，"hesaid，andsatsmokingwithRandominthedining-room，asthemostcomfortableroominthehouse。
ConstablePaintercamped，sotospeak，inthedrawing-room，keepingguardoverthesceneofthecrime，andhadplacedtheChinesescreenagainstthebrokenwindowtokeepoutthecold。
InthebedroomJaneandDr。Robinsonlookedafterthedyingwoman。Anddyingshewas，accordingtotheyoungphysician，forhedidnotthinkshewouldlivemuchlonger。Roundthelonelycottagethesea-mistdriftedwhiteandthick，andthedarknessdeepened，until-asthesayinggoes-itcouldhavebeencutwithaknife。Neverwastheresoeerieandwearyandsinisteravigil。
Towardsfouro’clockHopefellintoadoze，whilerestinginanarm-chair；buthewassuddenlyarousedfromthisbyanexclamationfromSirFrank，whohadremainedwideawake，smokingcigaraftercigar。Inamomenttheartistwasonhisfeet，alertandquick-brained。
"Whatisit？"
Randommadeforthedining-roomdoorrapidly。
"IthoughtIheardPaintercallout，"hedeclared，andhastilysoughttheparlor，followedbyHope。
Theroomwasempty，butthescreenbeforethebrokenwindowhadbeenthrowndown，andtheycouldseePainter’sbulkyformimmediatelyoutside。
"Whatthedeuceisthematter？"demandedRandom，entering。"Didyoucallout，Painter。IfanciedIheardsomething。"
Theconstablecameinagain。
"Ididcallout，sir，"heconfessed。"Iwashalfasleepinthatchair，whenIsuddenlybecamewideawake，andbelievedIsawafacelookingatmeroundthecornerofthescreen。Ijumpedup，callingforyou，sir，andupsetthescreen。"
"Well？well？"demandedSirFrankimpatiently，andseeingthatthemanhesitated。
"Isawnoone，sir。Allthesame，Ihadanidea，andIhavestill，thatamancamethroughthewindowandpeeredatmefrombehindthescreen。"
"ThemanwhoattackedMrs。Jasher？"
"Ican’tsay，sir。Buttherewassomeone。Atanyratehe’sgoneagain，ifhereallydidcome，andthereisnochanceoffindinghim。It’slikepea-soupoutside。"
HopeandRandomsimultaneouslysteppedthroughthewindow，butcouldnotseeaninchbeforethem，sothickwasthesea-fogandsodensewasthedarkness。Returning，theyreplacedthescreen，and，tellingPaintertobemoreonthealert，wentbackshiveringtothefireinthedining-room。Whentheywereseatedagain，Archieputaquestion。
"Doyouthinkthatpolicemanwasdreaming？"heaskedmeditatively。
"No，"repliedRandomsharply。"IbelievethatthemanwhoassaultedMrs。Jasherishangingabout，andventuredbackintotheroom，relyingonthefogasameansofescape，shouldhebespotted。"
"Butthemanwouldn’tbesuchafoolastoreturnintodanger。"
"Notunlesshewantedsomethingverybadly，"saidRandomsignificantly。
Hopeletthecigarettehewaslightingfall。
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Imaybewrong，ofcourse。Butitismyimpressionthatthereissomethingintheparlorwhichthismanwants，andforwhichhetriedtomurderMrs。Jasher。Weinterruptedhim，andhewasforcedtoflee。Hiddeninthefog，heislurkingabouttoseeifhecan’tobtainwhathehasriskedhisnecktosecure。"
"Whatcanitbe？"murmuredArchie，struckbythefeasibilityofthistheory。
"Perhapsthesecondemerald，"remarkedSirFrankgrimly。
"What！Youdon’tthinkthat-"
"Idon’tthinkanything。Iamtootiredtothinkatall。
However，Painterwillkeephiseyesopen，andinthemorningwecansearchtheroom。Themanhasbeeninthehousetwicetogetwhathewanted。Hewon’triskanotherattempt，nowthatheisawareweareonthealert。I’mgoingtotryandgetfortywinks。
Youkeepwatch，asyouhavehadyoursleep。"
Hopewasquiteagreeable，butjustasRandomcomposedhimselftouneasyslumber，Jane，haggardandred-eyed，camehastilyintothedining-room。
"Ifyouplease，gentlemen，thedoctorwantsyoutocomeandseemistress。Sheissensible，and-"
Thetwowaitedtohearnomore，butwenthastilybutsoftlyintotheroomwhereinlaythedyingwoman。Robinsonsatbythebedside，holdinghispatient’shandandfeelingherpulse。Heplacedhisfingeronhislipsasthemenenteredgently，andatthesamemomentMrs。Jasher’svoice，weakfromexhaustion，soundedthroughtheroom，whichwasdimlyilluminatedbyonecandle。ThenewcomershaltedinobediencetoRobinson’ssignal。
"Whoisthere？"askedMrs。Jasherweakly，for，inspiteofthecareexercised，shehadevidentlyheardthefootsteps。
"Mr。HopeandSirFrankRandom，"whisperedthedoctor，speakingintothedyingwoman’sear。"Theycameintimetosaveyou。"
"Intimetoseemedie，"shemurmured；"andIcan’tdie，unlessItellthetruth。IamgladRandomisthere；heisakindheartedboy，andtreatedmebetterthanheneedhavedone。I-oh-somebrandy-brandy。"
Robinsongavehersomeinaspoon。
"Nowliequietlyanddonotattempttospeak，"hecommanded。
"Youneedallyourstrength。"
"Ido-totellthatwhichIwishtotell，"gaspedMrs。Jasher，tryingtoraiseherself。"SirFrank！SirFrank！"Hervoicesoundedhoarseandweak。
"Yes，Mrs。Jasher，"saidtheyoungman，comingsoftlytothebedside。
Shethrustoutaweakhandandclutchedhim。
"Youmustbemyfather-confessor，andhearall。Yougottheemerald？"
"What！"Randomrecoiledinastonishment，"Didyou-"
"Yes，Isentittoyouasaweddingpresent。IwassorryandI
wasafraid；andI-I-"Shepausedagain，gasping。
Thedoctorintervenedandgavehermorebrandy。
"Youmustnottalk，"heinsistedseverely，"orIshallturnSirFrankandMr。Hopeoutoftheroom。"
"No！no！Givememorebrandy-more-more。"andwhenthedoctorplacedatumblertoherlips，shedranksogreedilythathehadtotaketheglassawaylestsheshoulddoherselfharm。Buttheardentspiritputnewlifeintoher，andwithasuperhumaneffortshesuddenlyrearedherselfinthebed。
"Comehere，Hope-comehere，Random，"shesaidinamuchstrongervoice。"Ihavemuchtotellyou。Yes，Itooktheemeraldafterdarkandthrewitintothesentryboxwhenthemanwasn’tlooking。Iescapedyourspy，Random，andIescapedthenoticeofthesentry。Iwalkedlikeacat，andlikeacatIcanseeinthedark。Iamgladyouhavegottheemerald。"
"Wheredidyougetit？"askedRandomquietly。
"That’salongstory。Idon’tknowthatIhavethestrengthtotellit。Ihavewrittenitout。"
"Youhavewrittenitout？"saidHopequickly，anddrawingnear。
"Yes。JanethoughtthatIwaswritingletters，butIwaswritingoutthewholestoryofthemurder。Youweregoodtome，Random，youdearboy，andontheimpulseofthemomentItooktheemeraldtoyou。IwassorrywhenIgotback，butitwastoolatethentorepent，asIdidnotdaretogoneartheFortagain。Yourspywhowatchedmighthavediscoveredmethesecondtime。IthenthoughtthatIwouldwriteoutthestoryofthemurder，soastoexoneratemyself。"
"ThenyouarenotguiltyofBolton’sdeath？"askedSirFrank，puzzled，forherconfessionwassomewhatincoherent。
"No。Ididnotstranglehim。ButIknowwhodid。Ihavewrittenitalldown。IwasjustfinishingwhenIheardthetappingatthewindow。Ilethiminandhetriedtogettheconfession，forItoldhimwhatIhaddone。"
"Whodidyoutell？"askedHope，muchexcited。
Mrs，Jashertooknonotice。
"Theconfessionislyingonmydesk-allthesheetsofpaperareloose。Ihadnotimetobindthemtogether，forhecamein。Hewantedtheemerald，andtheconfession。ItoldhimthatIhadgiventheemeraldtoyou，Random，andthatIhadconfessedallinwriting。Thenhewentmadandflewatmewithadreadfulknife。
Heknockedoverthecandlesandthelamp。Everythingwentoutandallwasdarkness，andIlaycryingforhelp，withthatdevilstabbing-stabbing-ah-"
"Who，inheaven’sname，istheman？"demandedRandom，standingupinhiseagerness。ButMrs。Jasherhadfallenbackinafaint，andRobinsonwasagainsupplyingherwithbrandy。
"Youhadbetterleavetheroom，youtwo，"hesaid，"orIcan’tbeanswerableforherlife。"
"Imuststayandlearnthetruth，"saidRandomdeterminedly，"andyou，Hope，gointotheparlorandfindthatconfession。Itisonthedesk，asshesaid，allloosesheets。Nodoubtitwastheconfessionwhichthemanshereferstotriedtosecurewhenhecamebackthesecondtime。Hemaymakeanotherattempt，orPaintermaygotosleep。Hurry！hurry！"
Archieneedednosecondtelling，asherealizedwhathungonthesecuringoftheconfession。Hestoleswiftlyoutoftheroom，closingthedoorafterhim。Faintaswasthesound，Mrs。Jasherhearditandopenedhereyes。
"Donotgo，Random，"shesaidfaintly。"Ihaveyetmuchtosay，althoughtheconfessionwilltellyouall。IamhalfsorryI
wroteitout-atleastIwas-andperhapsshouldhaveburntithadInotmetwiththisaccident。"
"Accident！"echoedSirFrankscornfully。"Murderyoumean。"
Thesinisterwordgalvanizedthedyingwomaninsuddenstronglife，andsherearedherselfagainonthebed。
"Murder！Yes，itismurder，"shecriedloudly。"HekilledSidneyBoltontogettheemeralds，andhekilledmetomakemeclosemymouth。"
"Whostabbedyou？Speak！speak！"criedRandomanxiously。
"Cockatoo。HeisguiltyofmydeathandBolton’s，"andshefellback，dead。
CHAPTERXXV
THEMILLSOFGOD
Inthecoldgrayhoursofthemorning，Hopeandhisfriendleftthecottagewhereinsuchatragedyhadtakenplace。Thedeadwomanwaslyingstiffandwhiteonherbedunderawindingsheet，whichhadalreadybeenstrewnwithmany-huedchrysanthemumstakenfromthepinkparlorbytheweepingJane。Thewretchedwomanwhohadledsostormyandunhappyalifehadatleastonesinceremourner，forshehadalwaysbeenkindtotheservant，whoformedherentiredomesticstaff，andJanewouldnothearawordsaidagainstthedead。Notthatanyonedidsayanything；forRandomandHopekeptthecontentsoftheconfessiontothemselves。
TherewouldbetimeenoughforMrs。Jasher’sreputationtobesmirchedwhenthosesamecontentsweremadepublic。
Whenthepoorwomandied，Randomleftthedoctorandtheservanttolookafterthecorpse，andwentintotheparlor。HerehemetHopewiththeconfessioninhishand。Luckily，Painterwasnotintheroomatthemoment，elsehewouldhavepreventedtheartistfromtakingawaythesame。Hope-asdirectedbyMrs。
Jasher-hadfoundtheconfession，writtenonmanysheets，lyingonthedesk。Itbrokeoffabruptlytowardstheend，andwasnotsigned。ApparentlyatthispointMrs。Jasherhadbeeninterrupted-asshehadsaid-bythetappingofCockatooatthewindow。Probablyshehadadmittedhimatonce，andonherrefusaltogivehimtheemerald，andonherconfessingwhatshehadwritten，hehadoverturnedthelightsforthepurposeofmurderingher。OnlytoowellhadtheKanakasucceededinhiswickedness。
Archieslippedtheconfessionintohispocketbeforethepolicemanreturned，andthenleftthecottagewithRandomandthedoctor，sincenothingelsecouldnowbedone。Itwasbetweensevenandeight，andthechillydawnwasbreaking，butthesea-miststilllayheavilyoverthemarshes，asthoughitwerethewindingsheetofthedead。RobinsonwenttohisownhousetogethistrapanddriveintoJessum，theretocatchthetrainandferrytoPierside。ItwasnecessarythatInspectorDateshouldbeinformedofthisnewtragedywithoutdelay，andasConstablePainterwasengagedinwatchingthecottage，therewasnomessengeravailablebutDr。Robinson。Randomindeedofferedtosendasoldier，ortoaffordRobinsontheuseoftheForttelephone，butthedoctorpreferredtoseeDatepersonally，soastodetailexactlywhathadhappened。Perhapstheyoungmedicalmanhadaneyetobecomingbetterknown，fortheimprovementofhispractice；buthecertainlyseemedanxioustotakeaprominentpartintheproceedingsconnectedwiththemurderofMrs。Jasher。
WhenRobinsonpartedfromthem，RandomandHopewenttothelodgingsofthelatter，soastoreadovertheconfessionandlearnexactlytowhatextentMrs。Jasherhadbeenmixedupinthetragedyofthegreenmummy。Shehaddeclaredherselfinnocentevenonherdeath-bed，andsofarasthetwocouldjudgeatthispoint，shecertainlyhadnotactuallystrangledSidneyBolton。
Butitmightbe-anditappearedtobemorethanprobable-thatshewasanaccessoryafterthefact。Butthistheycouldlearnfromtheconfession，andtheysatinHope’squietlittlesitting-room，inwhichthefirehadbeenjustlightedbytheartist’slandlady，withthescatteredsheetsneatlyrangedbeforethem。
"Perhapsyouwouldlikeacupofcoffee，orawhiskyandsoda，"
suggestedArchie，"beforestartingtoread？"
"Ishould，"assentedRandom，wholookedwearyandpale。"Theeventsofthenighthavesomewhatknockedmeup。Coffeeforchoice-nice，black，strong，hotcoffee。"
Hopenoddedandwenttoorderthesame。Whenhereturnedhesatdown，afterclosingthedoorcarefully，andproceededtoread。
ButbeforehecouldspeakRandomraisedhishand。
"Letuschatuntilthecoffeecomesin，"hesaid；"thenweshallnotbeinterruptedwhenreading。"
"Allright，"saidHope。"Haveacigar！"
"No，thanks。Ihavebeensmokingallthenight。Ishallsitherebythefireandwaitforthecoffee。Youlookchippyyourself。"
"Andsmallwonder，"saidArchiewearily。"WelittlethoughtwhenwelefttheFortlastnightwhatatimeweweregoingtohave。
FancyMrs。Jasherhavingsentyoutheemeraldafterall！"
"Yes。Sherepented，asshesaid，andyetIdaresay-asshealsosaid-shewassorrythatsheactedonherimpulse。IfshehadnotbeenstabbedbythatdamnedCockatoo，shewouldnodoubthavedestroyedthatconfession。Iexpectshewrotethatalsoontheimpulseofthemoment。"
"Sheconfessedasmuch，"saidHope，leaninghisheadonhishandandstaringintothefire。"Shemusthavebeencognizantofthetruthallalong。Iwonderifshewasanaccessorybeforeorafterthefact？"
"WhatIwonder，"saidRandom，afteramoment’sthought，"is，whatBraddockhastodowiththematter？"
Hoperaisedhisheadinsurprise。
"Why，nothing。Mrs。JasherdidnotsayawordagainstBraddock。"
"Iknowthat。Allthesame，CockatoowascompletelyunderthethumboftheProfessor，andprobablywasinstructedbyhimtostrangleBolton。"
"Thatisimpossible，"criedtheartist，muchagitated。"Thinkofwhatyouaresaying，Random。WhataterriblethingitwouldbeforLucyiftheProfessorwereguiltyinsuchawayasyousuggest！"
"Really，Ifailtoseethat。MissKendalisnorelationtoBraddocksavebymarriage。Hisiniquitieshavenothingtodowithher，orwithyou。"
"Butit’simpossible，Itellyou，Random。ThroughoutthewholeofthiscaseBraddockhasactedinaperfectlyinnocentway。"
"That’sjustit，"saidSirFrankcaustically；"hehasacted。Inspiteofhispretendedgriefforthelossoftheemeralds，I
shouldnotbesurprisedtolearnfromthat，"henoddedtowardstheconfessiononthetable，"thathewasinpossessionofthemissinggem。Cockatoohadnoreasontostealtheemeraldshimself，settingasidethefactthatheprobablywouldnotknowtheirvalue，beingbutasemi-civilizedsavage。Heactedunderordersfromhismaster，andalthoughCockatoostrangledBolton，theProfessorisreallytheauthorandthegainerandthemovingspirit。"
"YouwouldmakeBraddockanaccessorybeforethefact。"
"Yes，andMrs。Jasheranaccessoryafterthefact。Cockatooisthelink，astheactualcriminal，whojoinsthetwoinaguiltypartnership。NowonderBraddockintendedtomakethatwomanhiswifeeventhoughhedidnotloveher，forsheknewajollysighttoomuchforhispeaceofmind。"
"Thisishorrible，"murmuredHopedesperately；"butitismeretheory。Wecannotbesureuntilwereadtheconfession。"
"We’llbesuresoon，then，forherecomesthecoffee。"
ThislastremarkRandommadewhenatimidknockcametothedoor，andamomentlaterthelandladyenteredwithatraybearingcups，saucers，andajugofsteamingcoffee。，Shewasameek，reticentwomanwhoenteredanddepartedindismalsilence，andinafewmomentsthetwoyoungmenwerequitealonewiththedoorclosed。
Theydrankacupofcoffeeeach，andthenHopeproceededtoreadtheconfession。
ThestorytoldbyMrs。Jashercommencedwithashortaccountofherearlylife。Itappearedthatherfatherwasaruinedgentlemanandagambler，andthathermotherhadbeenanactress。
ShewasdraggedupinaBohemiansortofwayuntilsheattainedamarriageableage，whenhermother，whoseemedtohavebeenbothwickedandhard-hearted，forcedhertomarryacomparativelywealthymancalledJasher。Theelderlyhusband-forJasherwasnotyoung-treatedhiswifeverybadly，and，infectedwiththespiritofgamblingbyherfather，lostallhismoney。Mrs。
JasherthenwentwithhimtoAmericaandperformedonthestageinordertokeepthehometogether。Shehadonechild，butitdied，muchtohergrief，yetalsomuchtoherrelief，asshewassomiserableandpoor。Mrs。Jashergaveascantyaccountofsordidyearsoftroubleandtrial，offailureandsorrow。SheandherhusbandroamedalloverAmerica，andthenwenttoAustraliaandNewZealand，wheretheylivedawretchedexistenceformanyyears。Finallythehusbanddiedofstrongdrinkatanadvancedage，leavingMrs。Jasherasomewhatelderlywidow。
Thepoorwomanagaintooktothestageandtriedtoearnherbread，butwasunsuccessful。Afterwardsshelectured。Thenshekeptaboardingestablishment，andfinallywentoutasanurse。
Ineveryway，itwouldseem，shetriedtokeepherheadabovewater，androamedtheworldlikeabirdofpassage，findingrestnowhereforthesoleofherfoot。Yetthroughoutherstoryboththeyoungmencouldseethatshehadalwaysaspiredtoaquietanddecent，respectableexistence，andthatonlyforceofcircumstanceshadflungherintothewhirlpooloflife。
"AsIsaid，"remarkedRandomatthisstage，"themiserablecreaturewasmoresinnedagainstthansinning。"
"Hermoralsenseseemedtohavebecomeblunted，however，"saidArchiedoubtfully。
"Andsmallwonder，amidstsuchsurroundings；butitseemstomethatshewasmuchbetterunderthecircumstancesthanmanyanotherwomanwouldhavebeen。Goon。"
InMelbourneMrs。Jashermadealuckyspeculationinmines，whichbroughtheronethousandpounds。WiththisshecametoEngland，andresolvedtomakeabidforrespectability。ChanceledherintotheneighborhoodofGartley，andthinkingthatifshesetuphertentinthislocalityshemightmanagetomarryanofficerfromtheFort-sinceamidstsuchdismalsurroundingsayoungmanmightbethemoreeasilyfascinatedbyawomanoftheworld-shetookthecottageamidstthemarshesatasmallrent。Hereshehopedtoekeoutwhatmoneyshehadleft-afewhundreds-untilthecovetedmarriageshouldtakeplace。AfterwardsshemetProfessorBraddockanddeterminedtomarryhim，asamanmoreeasytomanage。ShewassuccessfulinenlistingLucyonherside，anduntilthegreenmummybroughtitsbadlucktothePyramidseverythingwentcapitally。
ItwasinconnectionwiththenameofBoltonthatthefirstmentionwasmadeofthegreenmummy。Sidneywasacleveryoungman，althoughverylowlyborn，andhavingbeentakenupbyProfessorBraddockasanassistant，couldhopesomedaytomakeaposition。Braddockwaseducatinghim，althoughhepaidhimverylittleinthewayofwages。SidneyfellinlovewithMrs。
Jasher，andinsomeway-shedidnotmentionhow-gainedherconfidence。Perhapsthelonelywomanwasgladtohaveasympatheticfriend。Atalleventsshetoldherpasthistoryto，Sidney，andmentionedthatshedesiredtomarryBraddock。ButSidneyinsistedthatsheshouldmarryhim，andpromisedtomakeenoughmoneytosatisfyherthathewasagoodmatch，settingasidehishumblebirth，forwhichMrs。Jashercarednothing。
ItwasthenthatSidneyrelatedwhathehaddiscovered。
Braddock，wheninPerumanyyearsbefore，hadtriedtogetmummiesforsomescientificreason。WhenHervey-thenknownasVasa-promisedtoprocurehimthemummyofthelastInca，Braddockwasextremelypleased。HerveystolethemummyandalsothecopyofthemanuscriptwhichwaswritteninLatin。HesentthislattertoBraddock-whowasthenatCuzcoasanearnestofhissuccessinprocuringthemummy，andwhentheProfessorreturnedtoLimathemummywastobehandedtohim。
Unfortunately，Braddockwascarriedintocaptivityforoneyear，andwhenheescapedVasahaddisappearedwiththemummy。AstheProfessorhaddecipheredtheLatinmanuscript，heknewoftheemeralds，andforyearshadbeenhuntingforthemummy-suretoberecognizedfromitspeculiargreencolor-inordertogetthejewels，andthussecuremoneyforhisEgyptianexpedition。Allthrough，itseems，theProfessorwasactuatedbypurelyscientificenthusiasm，asintheabstracthecaredverylittleforhardcash。BoltontoldMrs。JasherthatBraddockexplainedhowmuchhedesiredtogetthemummy，buthedidnotmentionaboutthejewels。ForalongtimeSidneywasundertheimpressionthathismastermerelywantedthemummytoseethedifferencebetweentheEgyptianandPeruvianmodesofembalming。
ThenonedaySidneychancedontheLatinmanuscript，andlearnedthatBraddock’srealreasonforgettingthemummywastoprocuretheemeraldswhichwereheldinthegripofthedead。Sidneykeptthisknowledgetohimself，andBraddockneverguessedthathisassistantknewthetruth。ThenunexpectedlyBraddockstumbledacrosstheadvertisementdescribingthegreenmummyforsaleinMalta。FromthecolorhemadesurethatitwasthatofIncaCaxas，andsomovedheavenandearthtogetmoneytobuyit。
Atlengthhedid，fromArchieHope，onconditionthatheconsentedtothemarriageofhisstep-daughterwiththeyoungman。ThinkingthatSidneywasignorantofthejewels，hesenthimtobringthemummyhome。
SidneytoldMrs。JasherthathewouldtryandstealthejewelsinMaltaoronboardthetrampsteamer。Failingthat，hewoulddelaythedeliveryofthemummytoBraddockonsomeexcuseandrobitatPierside。Tomakesureofescaping，heborrowedadisguisefromhismother，allegingthatHopewantedthesametoclotheamodel。Sidneyintendedtotaketheseclotheswithhim，and，afterstealingthejewels，toescapedisguisedasanoldwoman。Ashewasslenderandclean-shavenandacapitalactor，hecouldeasilymanagethis，ThenhearrangedthatMrs。JashershouldjoinhiminParis，andtheywouldselltheemeralds，andgotoAmerica，theretomarryandlivehappilyeverafterwards，likeafairytale。
Unfortunatelyforthesuccessofthisplan，Mrs。JasherthoughtthattheProfessorwouldmakeamoredistinguishedhusband，soshebetrayedallthatSidney，hadarranged。
"Whatabeastlythingtodo！"interruptedRandom，disgusted。"ItisnotasifshewantedtohelpBraddock。IthinklessofMrs。
JasherthaneverIdid。Shemighthaverememberedthatthereishonoramongstthieves。"
"Well，sheisdead，poorsoul！"saidHopewithasigh。"Godknowsthatifshesinned，shehaspaidcruellyforhersin，"
afterwhichremark，asSirFrankwassilent，heresumedhisreading。
Braddockwasfuriouswhenhelearnedofhisassistant’sprojectedtrickery，andhedeterminedtocircumventhim。HeagreedtomarryMrs。Jasher，as，ifhehadnotdoneso，shecouldhavewarnedSidneyandhecouldhaveescapedwithboththemummyandthejewelsbyconnivingwithHervey。TheProfessorcouldnotriskthat，as，rememberingHerveyasGustavVasa，hewasawarehowcleverandrecklesshewas。WhetherBraddockeverintendedtomarrythewidowintheenditishardtosay，buthecertainlypretendedtoconsenttotheengagement，whichwasmainlybroughtaboutbyLucy。ThencamethedetailsofthemurdersofarasMrs。Jasherknew。
Oneevening-infactontheeveningwhenthecrimewascommitted-thewomanwaswalkinginhergardenlate。InthemoonlightshesawBraddockandCockatoogodownalongthecinderpathtothejettyneartheFort。Wonderingwhattheyweredoing，shewaitedup，andheardandsawthem-foritwasstillmoonlight-comebacklongaftermidnight。Thenextdaysheheardofthemurder，andguessedthattheProfessorandhisslave-forCockatoowaslittleelse-hadroweduptoPiersideinaboatandtherehadstrangledSidneyandstolenthemummy。ShesawBraddockandaccusedhim。TheProfessorhadthenopenedthecase，andhadpretendedastonishmentwhendiscoveringthecorpseofthemanwhomCockatoohadstrangled，asheknewperfectlywell。
BraddockatfirstdeniedhavingbeentoPierside，butMrs。Jasherinsistedthatshewouldtellthepolice，sohewasforcedtomakeacleanbreastofittothewoman。
"Nowforit，"saidRandom，settlinghimselftoheardetailsofthecrime，forhehadoftenwonderedhowithadbeenexecuted。
"Braddock，"readArchiefromtheconfession，forMrs。Jasherdidnottroubleherselfwithapoliteprefix-"BraddockexplainedthatwhenhereceivedaletterfromSidneystatingthathewouldhavetoremainwiththemummyforanightinPierside，heguessedthathistreacherousassistantintendedtoeffecttherobbery。
ItseemsthatSidneybymistakehadleftbehindthedisguiseinwhichheintendedtoescape。Awareofthisthroughme"-Mrs。
Jasherreferredtoherself-"hemadeCockatooassumethedressandrowuptherivertotheSailor’sRest。TheKanakaeasilycouldbemistakenforawoman，ashealso，likeSidney，wasslenderandsmooth-chinned。Also，heworetheshawloverhisheadtodisguisehismopoffrizzyhairasmuchaspossible，andforthepurposeofconcealinghistattooedface。Inthedarkness-itwasafternineo’clock-hespoketoSidneythroughthewindow，ashehadseenhimthereearlier，whensearchingforhim。
CockatoosaidthatSidneywasmuchafraidwhenheheardthathispurposehadbeendiscoveredbytheProfessor。HeofferedashareoftheplundertotheKanaka，andCockatooagreed，sayinghewouldcomebacklate，andthatSidneywastoadmithimintothebedroomsothattheycouldopenthemummyandstealthejewels。
SidneyquitebelievedthatCockatoowasheartandsoulwithhim，especiallyasthecunningKanakasworethathewaswearyofhismaster’styranny。ItwaswhenCockatoowastalkingthusthathewasseenbyElizaFlight，whomistookhim-verynaturally-forawoman。CockatoothenreturnedbyboattotheGartleyjettyandtoldhismaster。Afterwards，theProfessor，atamuchlaterhour，wentdowntothejettyandwasroweduptoPiersidebytheKanaka。"
"ThatwaswhenMrs。Jashersawthem，"saidRandom，muchinterested。
"Yes，"saidArchie。"Andthen，ifyouremember；shewatchedforthereturnofthecouple。"
"ItwasnearlymidnightwhentheboatwasbroughtalongsidetheslopingstonebankofthealleywhichranpasttheSailor’sRest。
Noonewasaboutatthathour，notevenapoliceman，andtherewasnolightinSidneyBolton’swindow。BraddockwasmuchagitatedashethoughtthatSidneyhadalreadyescaped。HewaitedintheboatandsentCockatootoknockatthewindow。
Thenalightappearedandthewindowwassilentlyopened。TheKanakaslippedinandremainedthereforsometenminutesafterclosingthewindow。Whenhereturned，thelightwasextinguished。HewhisperedtohismasterthatSidneyhadopenedthepackingcaseandthemummycoffin，andhadrippedtheswathingstogetthejewels。WhenSidneywouldnothandoverthejewelstotheKanaka，asthelatterwantedhimto，Cockatoo，alreadypreparedwiththewindowcord，whichhehadsilentlytakenfromtheblind，sprangupontheunfortunateassistantandstrangledhim。Cockatootoldthistohishorrifiedmaster，andwantedhimtocomebacktohidethecorpseinthepackingcase。
Braddockrefused，andthenCockatootoldhimthathewouldthrowthejewels-whichhehadtakenfromSidney’sbody-intotheriver。Thepositionofmasterandservantwasreversed，andBraddockvasforcedtoobey。
"TheProfessorslippedsilentlyashoreandintotheroom。Thetwomenrelightedthecandleandpulleddowntheblind。TheythenplacedthecorpseofSidneyinthepackingcase，andscrewedthesamedowninsilence。Whenthiswascompleted，theywereabouttocarrythemummyinitscoffin-thelidofwhichtheyhadreplaced-totheboat，whentheyhearddistantfootsteps，probablythoseofapolicemanonhisbeat。Atoncetheyextinguishedthecandle，and-asBraddocktoldMrs。Jasher-he，forone，sattremblinginthedark。Butthepoliceman-ifthefootstepswerethoseofapoliceman-passedupanotherstreet，andthetwoweresafe。Withoutrelightingthecandle，theysilentlyslippedthemummythroughthewindow，CockatoowithinandBraddockwithout。Thecaseanditscontentswerenotheavy，anditwasnotdifficultforthetwomentotakeittotheboat。
Whenitwassafelybestowed，Cockatoo-whowasascunningasthedevil，accordingtohismasterreturnedtothebedroom，andunlockedthedoor。Heafterwardspassedastringthroughthejoiningoftheupperandlowerwindows，andmanagedtoshutthesnib。AfterwardshecametotheboatandroweditbacktoGartley。OnthewayCockatootoldhismasterthatSidneyhadleftinstructionsthatthepackingcaseshouldbetakennextmorningtothePyramids，sotherewasnothingtofear。Themummywashiddeninaholeunderthejettyandcoveredwithgrass。"
"Whydidn’ttheytakeituptothehouse？"askedRandom，onhearingthis。
"Thatwouldhavebeendangerous，"saidHope，lookingupfromthemanuscript，"seeingthatthemummywassupposedtohavebeenstolenbythemurderer。Itwaseasiertohideitamongstthegrassesunderthejetty，asnooneevergoesthere。Well"-heturnedoverafewpages-"thatispracticallyall。Therestisafterevents。"
"Iwanttohearthem，"saidRandom，takinganothercupofcoffee。
Hoperanhiseyesswiftlyovertheremainingportionofthepaper，andgavefurtherdetailsrapidlytohisfriend。
"Youknowallthathappened，"hesaid，"theProfessor’spretendedsurprisewhenhefoundthecorpsehehadhimselfhelpedtopackand-"
"Yes！yes！ButwhywasthemummyplacedinMrs。Jasher’sgarden？"
"ThatwasBraddock’sidea。Hefanciedthatthemummymightbefoundunderthejettyandthatinconvenientinquiriesmightbemade。Also，hewishedifpossibletoimplicateMrs。Jasher，soastokeepherfromtellingtothepolicewhathehadtoldher。
HeandCockatoowentdowntotheriveronenightandremovedthemummytothearborsilently。AfterwardshepretendedtobeastonishedwhenIfoundit。Imustsayheactedhispartverywell，"saidHopereflectively，"eventoaccusingMrs。Jasher。
Thatwasaboldstrokeofgenius。"
"Averydangerousone。"
"Notatall。HesworetoMrs。Jasherthatifshesaidanything，hewouldtellthepolicethatshehadtakentheclothesprovidedbySidneyfromthePyramidsandhadgonetospeakthroughthewindow，inordertoflywithSidneyandtheemeralds。AsthefactofthemummybeingfoundinMrs。Jasher’sgardenwouldlendcolortothelie，shewasobligedtoholdhertongue。Andafterall，asshesays，shedidn’tmind，sinceshewasengagedtotheProfessor，andpossessedatleastoneoftheemeralds。"
"Ah！theoneshepassedalongtome。Howdidshegetthat？"
Hopereferredagaintothemanuscript。
"SheinsistedthatBraddockshouldgiveittoherasapledgeofgoodfaith。Hehadtodoit，orriskhersplitting。Thatwaswhyheplacedthemummyinhergarden，soastobringherintothematter，andrenderitmoredifficultforhertospeak。"
"Whatoftheotheremerald？"
"BraddocktookthattoAmsterdam，whenhewenttoLondonthattime-ifyouremember，whenDonPedroarrived。Braddocksoldtheemeraldforthreethousandpounds，anditisnowonitswaytoanIndianrajah。IfearDonPedrowillneverseteyesonthatagain。"
"Whereisthemoney？"
"HebankeditinafeignednameinAmsterdam，andintendedtoaccountforitwhenhemarriedMrs。JasherbysayingitwaslefttoherbythatmythicalPekinmerchantbrotherofhers。Savvy！"
"Yes。Whataninfernallittlevillain！AndIexpecthesentCockatoodownlastnightfortheotheremerald。"
"Thatisnotrelatedinthemanuscript，"saidArchie，layingdownthelastsheetandtakinguphiscoffee。"Theconfessionendsabruptly-atthetimeCockatootappedatthewindow，Iexpect。
Butshesaid，whendying，thattheKanakaaskedforthesecondemerald。Ifshehadnotsentittoyouinafitofweakness，I
expectshewouldhavepasseditalong。Ican’tmakeout，"addedArchiemusingly，"whyMrs。Jasherconfessedwheneverythingwassosafe。"
"Well，"saidRandom，nursinghischin，andstaringintothefire，"shemadeamistakeintryingtoblackmailme，thoughwhyshedidsoIcan’ttell，seeingshehadthewhiphandofBraddock。
Perhapsshewantedthefivethousandtospendherself，knowingthattheProfessor’splunderwouldbewastedonhisconfoundedexpedition。Atanyrateshegaveherselfawaybytheblackmail，andIexpectshegrewfrightened。Ifthehousehadbeensearched-anditmighthavebeensearchedbythepolice，hadIarrestedherforblackmailtheemeraldwouldhavebeenfoundandshewouldhavebeenincriminated。Shethereforegotridofitcleverly，bypassingitalongtomeasaweddinggift。Thensheagaingrewafraidandwroteoutthisconfessiontoexonerateherself。"
"Butitdoesn’t，"insistedHope。"Shemakesherselfoutplainlyasanaccessoryafterthefact。"
"Awomandoesn’tunderstandtheselegalniceties。Shewrotethatouttoclearherselfincaseshewasarrestedfortheblackmail，andperhapsincaseBraddockrefusedtohelpher-ashecertainlydid，ifyouremember。"
"Hewashardonher，"confessedArchieslowly。
"Beingsuchavillainhimself，"saidRandomgrimly。"However，Cockatooarrivedunluckilyonthescene，andwhenhefoundshehadpartedwiththeemerald，andhadwrittenoutthetruth，hestabbedher。Ifwehadn’tcomejustinthenickoftime，hewouldhaveannexedthatconfession，andthetruthwouldneverhavebecomeknown。Noone，"endedRandom，risingandstretchinghimself，"wouldconnectBraddockorCockatoowiththedeathofMrs。Jasher。"
"OrwiththedeathofSidneyBoltoneither，"saidHope，alsorisingandputtingonhiscap。"Whatanactorthemanis！"
"Whereareyougoing？"demandedSirFrank，yawning。
"TothePyramids。IwanttoseehowLucyis。"
"Willyoutellheraboutthatconfession？"
"Notuntillater。IshallgivethistoInspectorDatewhenhearrives。TheProfessorhasmadehisbed，sohemustlieonit。
WhenImarryLucy，I’lltakeherawayfromthisdamnedplace。"
"Marryheratonce，then，"advisedRandom，"whiletheProfessorisdoingtime，andwhileCockatooisbeinghanged。Meanwhile，I
thinkyouhadbetterputonyourovercoat，unlessyouwanttowalkthroughthevillageincrumpledeveningdress，likeadissipatedundergraduate。"
Archielaughedinspiteofhisweariness，andassumedhisgreatcoatatthesamemomentasRandomslippedintohis。ThetwoyoungmenwalkedoutintothevillageanduptothePyramids，forRandomwishedtoseeBraddockbeforereturningtotheFort。Theyfoundthedoorofthegreathouseopenandtheservantsinthehall。
"Whatisallthis？"demandedHope，entering。"Whyareyouhere，andnotatwork？Whereisyourmaster？"
"He’srunaway，"saidthecookinashrillvoice。"Lordknowswhy，sir。"
"Archie！Archie！"Lucycamerunningoutofthemuseum，pale-facedandwhite，"myfatherhasgoneawaywithCockatooandthegreenmummy。Whatdoesitmean？AndjustwhenpoorMrs。
Jasherismurderedtoo。"
"Hush，darling！Comein，andI’llexplain，"saidHopegently。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEAPPOINTMENT
PoorLucyKendalwasterriblygrievedandshockedwhenthefullaccountofherstep-father’siniquitywasrevealedtoher。
Archietriedtobreakthenewsasdelicatelyaspossible，butnowordscouldsoftenthesordidstory。Lucy，atfirst，couldnotbelieveitpossiblethataman，whomshehadknownforsolong，andtowhomshewasrelated，wouldbehaveinsuchabaseway。ToconvinceherHopewasforcedtoletherreadtheaccountinMrs。
Jasher’shandwriting。Whenacquaintedwiththecontents，thepoorgirl’sfirstdesirewastohavethematterhushedup，andsheimploredherloverwithtearstosuppressthedamningdocument。
"Thatisimpossible，"saidHopefirmly；"andifyouthinkagain，mydear，youwillnotrepeatsucharequest。Itisabsolutelynecessarythatthisshouldbeplacedinthehandsofthepolice，andthatthetruthshouldbecomeaswidelyknownaspossible。
Unlessthematterissettledonceandforall，someoneelsemaybeaccusedofthismurder。"
"Butthedisgrace，"weptLucy，hidingherfaceonherlover’sshoulder。
Heslippedhisarmroundherwaist。
"Mydarling，thedisgraceexistswhetheritbepublicorprivate。
Afterall，theProfessorisnorelation。"
"No。ButeveryoneknowsthatIamhisstepdaughter。"
"Everyone，"echoedArchie，withanassumedlightness。"Mydear，everyoneinthisinstanceonlymeansthehandfulofpeoplewholiveinthisout-of-the-way，village。Yournamewillnotappearinthepapers。Andevenifbychanceitdoes，youwillsoonbechangingitformine。IthinkthebestthingthatcanbedoneisforyoutocomewithmetoLondonnextweekandmarryme。ThenwecangotothesouthofFrancefortherestofthewinter，untilyourecover。WhenwereturnandsetuphouseinLondon-
sayinayear-thewholeaffairwillbeforgotten。"
"Buthowcanyoubeartomarryme，whenyouknowthatIcomeofsuchabadstock？"weptLucy，atriflemorecomforted。
"Mydear，mustIremindyouagainthatyouarenorelationtoProfessorBraddock；youhavenotadropofhiswickedbloodinyourveins。Andevenifyouhad，Ishouldstillmarryyou。ItisyouIlove，andyouImarry，sothereisnomoretobesaid。
Come，darling，saythatyouwillbecomemywifenextweek。"
"ButtheProfessor？"
Archiesmiledgrimly。HefounditdifficulttoforgiveBraddockforthedisgracehehadbroughtonthegirl。
"Idon’tthinkwe’lleverbetroubledagainwiththeProfessor，"
hesaid，afterapause。"HehasboltedintotheunknownwiththatinfernalKanaka。"
"Butwhydidhefly，Archie？"
"Becauseheknewthatthegamewasup。Mrs。Jasherwroteoutthisconfession，andtoldCockatoo，whenheenteredtheroomtogettheemerald，thatshehadwrittenit。TosavehismastertheKanakastabbedthewretchedwoman，and，hadRandomandInotarrived，hewouldhavesecuredtheconfession。Ireallybelievehecamebackagainoutofthemistinthesmallhoursofthemorningtostealit。Butwhenhefoundthatallwasvain，hereturnedhereandtoldtheProfessorthatthestoryofthemurderhadbeenwrittenout。ThereforetherewasnothinglefttoBraddockbuttofly。Although，"addedHope，withanafter-thought，"Ican’timaginewhythosetwofugitivesshoulddragthatconfoundedmummywiththem。"
"ButwhyshouldtheProfessorfly？"askedLucyagain。"AccordingtowhatMrs。Jasherwrites，hedidnotstranglepoorSidney。"
"No。AndIwilldohimthejusticetosaythathehadnoideaofhavinghisassistantmurdered。ItwasCockatoo’ssavagebloodwhichcameoutinthedeed，andmaybeitcanbeexplainedbytheKanaka’sdevotiontotheProfessor。ItwasthesamewayinthemurderofMrs。Jasher。BykillingBolton，theKanakahopedtosavetheemeraldsforBraddock:instabbingMrs。Jasher，hehopedtosavetheProfessor’slife。"
"Oh，Archie，willtheyhangmyfather？"
Hopewinced。
"Callhimyourstep-father，"hesaidquickly。"No，dear，Idonotthinkhewillbehanged；butasanaccessoryafterthefacthewillcertainlybecondemnedtoalongtermofimprisonment。
Cockatoo，however，assuredlywillbehanged，andagoodjobtoo。
Heisonlyasavage，andassuchisdangerousinacivilizedcommunity。Iwonderwheretheyhavegone？Didanyonehearthemgoing？"
"No，"saidLucyunhesitatingly。"Cookcameupthismorningtomyroom，andsaidthatmyfather-Imeanmystep-father-hadgoneawaywithCockatooandwiththegreenmummy。Idon’tknowwhysheshouldhavesaidthat，astheProfessoroftenwentawayunexpectedly。"
"Perhapssheheardrumorsinthevillageandputtwoandtwotogether。Icannottell。Someinstinctmusthavetoldher。ButIdaresayBraddockandhisaccomplicefledundercoverofthemistandinthesmallhoursofthemorning。Theymusthaveknownthattheconfessionwouldbringtheofficersofthelawtothishouse。"
"Ihopetheywillescape，"murmuredLucy。
"Well，Iamnotsure，"saidHopehesitatingly。"Ofcourse，I
shouldliketoavoidascandalforyoursake，andyetitisonlyrightthatthetwoofthemshouldbepunished。Remember，Lucydear，howBraddockhasactedallalongindeceivingus。Heknewall，andyetnotoneofussuspectedhim。"
"WhileArchiewasthuscomfortingthepoorgirl，Gartleyvillagewasinanuproar。Everyonewastalkingaboutthisnewcrime，andeveryonewaswonderingwhohadstabbedtheunluckywoman。AsyettheconfessionofMrs。JasherhadnotbeenplacedinthehandsofthepoliceandeveryonewasignorantthatCockatoowasthecriminalwhohadescapedinthefog。InspectorDatespeedilyarrivedwithhismyrmidonsonthesceneandmadethecottagehisheadquarters。Laterintheday，Hope，havingtakenacoldbathtofreshenhimselfup，camewiththeconfession。Thishegavetotheofficerandexplainedthewholestoryofthepreviousnight。
Datewasmorethanastonished:hewasastounded。Hereadtheconfessionandmadenotes；thenhesentforSirFrankRandom，andexaminedhiminthesamestrictwayashehadexaminedtheartist。Janewasalsoquestioned。WidowAnnewasputinthewitnessbox，soastoreportabouttheclothes，andineverywayDategatheredmaterialforanotherinquest。Attheformeronehehadonlybeenabletoplacescantyevidencebeforethejury，andtheverdicthadbeenunsatisfactorytothepublic。Butonthisoccasion，seeingthatthewitnesseshecouldbringforwardwouldsolvethemysteryofthefirstdeathaswellasthesecond，InspectorDateexultedgreatly。Hesawhimselfpromotedandhissalaryraised，andhisnamepraisedinthepapersasazealousandcleverofficer。Bythetimetheinquestcametobeheld，theinspectorhadtalkedhimselfintobelievingthatthewholemysteryhadbeensolvedbyhimself。Butbeforethattimecameanothereventhappenedwhichastonishedeveryone，andwhichmadethefinalphaseofthegreenmummycrimeevenmoresensationalthanithadbeen。AndHeavenknowsthatfrombeginningtoendtherehadbeennolackofmelodramaofthemostluriddescription。
DonPedrodeGayangoswasexceedinglyamazedattheunexpectedturnwhichthecasehadtaken。Thatheshouldhavebeentryingtosolveadeepmysteryforsolong，andthatthesolution，allthetime，hadbeeninthehandsoftheProfessor，startledhimexceedingly。HeadmittedthathehadneverlikedBraddock，butexplainedthathehadnotexpectedtohearthatthefierylittlescientistwassuchascoundrel。But，asDonPedroconfessed，itwasanillwindwhichblewhimsomegood，whentheupshotofthewholemysterioustragicbusinesswastherestorationofatleastoneemerald。SirFrankbroughtthegemtohimontheafternoonofthedaysucceedingMrs。Jasher’sdeath，andwhilethewholevillagewasbuzzingwithexcitement。ItwasRandomwhogavealldetailstoDonnaInezandherfather，leadingfromonerevelationtoanother，untilhecappedthewholeextraordinarystorybyproducingthesplendidgem。
"Mine！mine！"saidDonPedro，hisdarkeyesglittering。"ThanksbetotheVirginandtheSaints，"andhebowedhisheadtomakethesignofthecrossdevoutlyonhisbreast。
DonnaInezclappedherhandsandhereyesflashed，for，likeeverywoman，shehadaprofoundloveforjewels。
"Oh，howlovely，Frank！Itmustbeworthnoendofmoney。"
"ProfessorBraddocksoldtheothertosomeIndianrajahinAmsterdam-throughanagent，Ipresumeforthreethousandpounds。"
"Ishallgetmorethanthat，"saidDonPedroquickly。"TheProfessorsoldhisjewelinahurryandhadnotimetobargain。
ButsoonerorlaterIshallgetfivethousandpoundsforthis。"
Heheldthegeminthesunlight，whereitglowedlikeanemeraldsun。"Why，itisworthyofaking’scrown。"
"Ifearyouwillnevergettheothergem，"saidRandomregretfully。"IbelievethatitisonitswaytoIndia，ifMrs。
Jashercanbetrusted。"
"Nevermind。Ishallbecontentwiththisone，senor。Ihavesimpletastes，andthiswilldomuchtorestorethefortunesofmyfamily。WhenIgobackwiththisandthegreenmummy，allthoseIndianswhoknowofmydescentfromtheancientIncaswillbe&lightedandwillpaymefreshreverence。"
"Butyouforget，"saidRandom，frowning，"thegreenmummyhasbeentakenawaybyProfessorBraddock。"
"Theycannothavegonefarwithit，"saidDonnaInez，shrugging。
"Idon’tknowsomuchaboutthat，dearest，"saidSirFrank。
"Apparently，sincetheyhandleditatthetimeofthemurder，itiseasiercarriedaboutthanonewouldthink。Andthentheyfledlastnight，orratherinthesmallhoursofthismorning，undercoverofadensefog。"
"Itisclearenoughnow，"saidDeGayangos，peeringthroughthewindow，whereapalewintersunshoneinaclearsteel-huedsky。
"Theyareboundtobecaughtinthelongrun。"
"Doyouwishthemtobecaught？"askedRandomabruptly。
"NottheProfessor。ForMissLucy’ssakeIhopehewillescape；
butItrustthatthesavagewhokilledthesetwounfortunatepeoplewillbebroughttothegallows。"
"SodoI，"saidRandom。"Well，DonPedro，itseemstomethatyourtaskinGartleyisended。AllyouhavetodoistowaitfortheinquestandseeMrs。Jasherburied，poorsoul！ThenyoucangotoLondonandremainthereuntilafterChristmas。"
"ButwhyshouldIremaininLondon？"askedthePeruvian，surprised。
RandomglancedatDonnaInez，whoblushed。
"Youforgetthatyouhavegivenyourconsenttomymarriagewith-"
"Ah，yes，"DonPedrosmiledgravely。"IreturnwiththejeweltoLima，butIleavemyotherjewelbehind。"
"Nevermind，"saidthegirl，kissingherfather；"whenFrankandIaremarriedwewillcometoCallaoinhisyacht。"
"Ouryacht，"saidRandom，smiling。
"Ouryacht，"repeatedDonnaInez。"Andthenyouwillsee，father，thatIhavebecomearealEnglishlady。"
"Butdon’tentirelyforgetthatyouareaPeruvian，"saidDonPedroplayfully。
"AndadescendantofIncaCaxas，"addedDonnaInez。Thensheflirtedherfan，whichshewasrarelywithout，andlaughedinherEnglishlover’sface。"Don’tforget，senor，thatyoumarryaprincess。"
"Imarrythemostcharminggirlintheworld，"hereplied，catchingherinhisarms，rathertothescandalofDeGayangos，whohadstiffSpanishnotionsregardingtheetiquetteofengagedcouples。
"Thereisonethingyoumustdoforme，senor，"hesaidquietly，"beforeweleavethismostunhappycaseofmurderandtheftforever。"
"Whatisthat？"askedSirFrank，turningwithInezinhisarms。
"To-nightateighto’clock，CaptainHervey-thesailorGustavVasa，ifyoupreferthename-steamsdowntheriverinhisnewboatTheFirefly。Ireceivedanotefromhim"-hedisplayedaletter-"statingthathewillpassthejettyofGartleyatthathour，andwillburnabluelight。IfIfireapistol，hewillsendoffaboatwithafullaccountofthetheftofthemummyofIncaCaxas，writtenbyhimself。ThenIwillhandhismessengerfiftygoldsovereigns，whichIhavehere，"addedDonPedro，pointingtoacanvasbagonthetable，"andwewillreturn。I
wishyoutogowithme，senor，andalsoIwishyourfriendMr。
Hopetocome。"
"DoyouanticipatetreacheryfromCaptainHervey？"askedRandom。
"Ishouldnotbesurprisedifhetriedtotrickmeinsomeway，andIwishyouandyourfriendtostandbyme。Werethismanalone，Iwouldgoalone，buthewillhaveaboat’screwwithhim。
Itisbesttobesafe。"
"Iagreewithyou，"saidRandomquickly。"HopeandIwillcome，andwewilltakerevolverswithus。Itdoesn’tdototrustthisblackguard。Ho！ho！IwonderifheknowsoftheProfessor’sflight。"
"No。ConsideringthetermsuponwhichtheProfessorstoodwithHervey，Ishouldthinkhewouldbethelastpersonhewouldtrust。Iwonderwhathasbecomeoftheman。"
MorepeoplethanDonPedrowonderedastothewhereaboutsofBraddockandhisservant，foreveryonewasinquiringandhunting。
Themarshesroundthecottagewereexplored:thegreathouseitselfwassearched，aswellasmanycottagesinthevillage，andinquiriesweremadeatallthelocalstations。Butallinvain。
BraddockandCockatoo，alongwiththecumbersomemummyinitscase，hadvanishedascompletelyasthoughtheearthhadswallowedthemup。InspectorDate’sideawasthatthepairhadtakenthemummytoGartleyPier，afterthesearchmadebythesoldiers，andtherehadlaunchedtheboat，whichCockatoo-
judgingfromhisvisittoPierside-apparentlykepthiddeninsomenook。Itwasprobable，saidDate，thetwohadroweddowntheriver，andhadmanagedtogetonboardsomeoutward-boundtramp。Theycouldeasilyfurbishupsomestory，andasBraddockdoubtlesshadmoney，couldeasilybuyapassageforalargesum。
Thetrampbeingoutward-bound，hercaptainandcrewwouldknownothingofthecrime，andevenifthefugitivesweresuspected，theywouldbeshippedoutofEnglandifthebribewassufficientlylarge。SoitwasapparentthatInspectorDatehadnotmuchopinionoftramp-steamerskippers。
However，asthedayworeontonight，nothingwasheardofBraddockorCockatooorthemummy，andwhennightcamethevillagewasfilledwithlocalreportersandwithLondonjournalistsaskingquestions。TheWarriorInndidagreattradeindrinkandbedsandmeals，andtherusticsreapedquiteaharvestinansweringquestionsaboutMrs。JasherandtheProfessorandtheweird-lookingKanaka。SomereportersdaredtoinvadethePyramids，whereLucywasweepinginsorrowandshame，butArchie，reinforcedbytwopolicemen，senttohisaidbyDate，soonsentthemtotherightabout。HopewouldhavelikedtoremainwithLucyalltheevening，butathalf-pastsevenhewasforcedtomeetDonPedroandRandomoutsidetheFortinordertogotoGartleyJetty。
CHAPTERXXVII
BYTHERIVER
Asthehuntforthefugitiveshadcontinuedallday，everyone，police，villagersandsoldiers，werewearyanddisheartened。
Consequently，whenthethreemenmetneartheFort，thereseemedtobefewpeopleabout。Thiswasjustaswell，astheywouldhavebeenfollowedtothejetty，andobviouslyitwasbesttokeepthestrangemeetingwithCaptainHerveyassecretaspossible。However，DonPedrohadtakenInspectorDateintohisconfidence，asitwasimpossibletogetpastthecottageofthelateMrs。Jasher，inwhichtheofficerhadtakenuphisquarters，withoutbeingdiscovered。Datewasquitewillingthatthetrioshouldgo，butstipulatedthatheshouldcomealso。HehadheardallaboutCaptainHerveyinconnectionwiththemummy，andthoughtthathewouldliketoaskthatsailorafewleadingquestions。
"AndifIseefitIshalldetainhimuntiltheinquestisover，"
saidDate，whichwasmerebluff，astheinspectorhadnowarranttostopTheFireflyorarrestherskipper。
ThethreementhereforewerejoinedbyDate，whentheycamealongthecinderpathabreastofthecottage，andthequartetteproceededfurtherimmediately，walkingamongstthebentsandgrassestotherudeoldwoodenjetty，nearwhichHerveyintendedtostophisship。Thenightwasquiteclearoffog，strangetosay，consideringthelatesea-mist；butastrongwindhadbeenblowingalldayandthefog-wreathswereentirelydispersed。A
fullmoonrodeamongstagalaxyofstars，whichtwinkledlikediamonds。Theairwasfrosty，andtheirfeetscrunchedtheearthandgrassesandcoarseherbageunderfoot，astheymaderapidlyfortheembankment。
Whentheyreachedthetoptheycouldseethejettyclearlyalmostbelowtheirfeet，andinthedistancetheglitteringlightsofPierside。Vagueformsofvesselsatanchorloomedonthewater，andtherewasastreamoflightwherethemoonmadeapathwayofsilver。Afteracasualglancethethreemenproceededdowntheslopetothejetty。Threeofthematleasthadrevolvers，sinceHerveywasanillmantotackle；butprobablyDate，whowastoodensetoconsiderconsequences，wasunarmed。NeitherdidDonPedrothinkitnecessarytotelltheofficerthatheandhistwocompanionswerepreparedtoshootifnecessary。InspectorDate，beingaprosyEnglishman，wouldnothaveunderstoodsuchlawlessdoingsinhisownsober，law-abidingcountry。
WhentheyreachedthejettyDonPedroglancedathiswatch，illuminatingthedialbypuffinghiscigartoaruddyglow。Itwasjustaftereighto’clock，andevenashelookedanexclamationfromDatemadehimraisehishead。Theinspectorwaspointingout-streamtoalargevesselwhichhadsteamedinshoreasfaraswassafe。ProbablyHerveywaswatchingforthemthroughanight-glass，forabluelightsuddenlyflaredonthebridge。DonPedro，accordingtohispromise，firedapistol，anditwasthenthatDatelearnedthathiscompanionswerearmed。
"Whatthedevildidyoudothatfor？"heinquiredangrily。"Itwillbringmyconstablesdownonus。"
"Idonotmind，sinceyoucancontrolthem，"saidDeGayangoscoolly。"Ihadtogivethesignal。"
"Andweallhaverevolvers，"saidRandomquickly。"Herveyisnotaverysafemantotackle，inspector。"
"Doyouexpectafight？"saidDate，whiletheyallwatchedaboatbeinglowered。"Ifso，youmighthavetoldme，andIshouldhavebroughtarevolveralso。NotthatIthinkitisneeded。ThesightofmyuniformwillbeenoughtoshowthismanthatIhavethelawbehindme。"
"Idon’tthinkthatwillmattertoHervey，"saidArchiedryly。
"SomuchasIhaveseenofhimsuggeststomethatheisasingularlylawlessman。"
Datelaughedgood-humoredly。
"Itseemstome，gentlemen，thatyouhavebroughtmeonafilibusteringexpedition，"hesaid，andseemedtoenjoythenovelsituation。Datehadbeenwrappedupinthecotton-woolofcivilizationforalongtime，buthisprimitiveinstinctsrosetothesurface，nowthathehadtofaceaprobablerough-and-tumblefight。"ButIdon’texpecttherewillbeanyscrap，"hesaidregretfully。"Myuniformwillsettlethematter。"
ItcertainlyseemedtoannoyCaptainHerveyconsiderably，for，astheboatapproachedtheshore，andthemoonlightrevealedadistinctlyofficialovercoat，hegaveanorder。Themanstoppedrowingandtheboatrockedgently，somedistancefromthejetty。
"You’vegotahigholdcrowdwithyou，DonPedro，"sangoutHervey，ingreatdispleasure。"Isthatangelinthemilitarytogs，withthebrassbuttons，thealmightyaristocrat！"
"No。Iamhere，"criedoutRandom，laughingatthedescription，whichherecognized。"MyfriendHopeiswithme，andInspectorDate。Isupposeyouhaveheardwhathashappened？"
"Yes，I’vetakenitallin，"saidHerveysourly。"IguessthenewsisalloverPierside。Well，it’snoneofmypicnic，I
reckon。Sochuckthatgoldoverhere，DonPedro，andI’llsendalongthewriting。"
"No，"saidDonPedro，promptedbyDate。"Youmustcomeashore。"
"Iguessnot，"saidHerveyvigorously。"Youwanttorunmein。"
"Forthattheftofthirtyyearsago，"laughedDeGayangos。
"Nonsense！Comealong。Youarequitesafe。"
"Shan’ttakeyourdamnedwordforit，"growledHervey。"Butifthosetwogentscanswearthatthere’snotrickery，I’llcome。I
candependonthewordofanEnglisharistocrat，anyhow。"
"Comealong。Youarequitesafe，"saidSirFrank，andHopeechoedhiswords。
Thusbeingmadecertain，Herveygaveanorderandtheboatwasrowedrightuptothebeach，immediatelybelowthejetty。Thefourmenwereabouttodescend，butHerveyseemedanxioustoavoidgivingthemtrouble。
"Holdon，gents，"saidhe，leapingashore。"I’llcomeup’longside。"
Date，eversuspicious，thoughtitqueerthattheskippershouldbehavesopolitely，ashehadgatheredthatHerveywasnotusuallyaconsiderateman。Also，hesawthatwhenthecaptainwasclimbingthebank，theboat，inchargeofamate-astheinspectorjudgedfromhisbrass-bounduniform-backedwatertotheendofthejetty，whereitswungagainstoneoftheshell-encrustedpiles。Herveyfinallyreachedthejettylevel，butrefusedtocomeontothesame。HebeckonedtoDonPedroandhiscompanionstowalkforwardtothegrounduponwhichhewasstanding。Also，heseemedexceedinglyanxioustotaketimeoverthetransaction，asevenafterhehadhandedthescrollofwritingtothePeruvian，andhadreceivedthegoldinexchange，heengagedinquarrelsomeconversation。PretendingthathedoubtedifDeGayangoshadbroughttheexactsum，heopenedthecanvasbagandinsistedoncountingthemoney。DonPedronaturallylosthistemperatthisinsult，andsworeinSpanish，uponwhichHerveyrespondedwithsuchvolubilitythatanyonecouldseehewasapastmasterinCastilianswearing。Therowwasconsiderable，especiallyasRandomandHopewerelaughingatthequarrel。TheythoughtthatHerveywastheworsefordrink，butDate-cleverforonceinhislife-didnotthinkso。Itappearedtohimthattheboathadgonetotheendofthejettyforsomereasonconnectedwiththesamereasonwhichinducedtheskippertospinoutthetimeofthemeetingbyindulginginanunnecessaryquarrel。
Theskipperalsokepthiseyesabouthim，andinsistedthatthefourmenshouldkeeptogetherattheheadofthepier。
"Idaresayyou’retryingtoplaylowdownonme，"hesaidwithascowl，aftersatisfyinghimselfthatthemoneywascorrect，"butI’vegotmyshooter。"
"SohaveI，"criedDonPedroindignantly，andslippedhishandroundtohishippocket，"andifyoutalkanyfurthersoinsultingIshall-"
"Oh，youbet，twocanplayatthatgame，"criedHervey，andrippedouthisownweaponbeforetheSpaniardcouldproducehisDerringer。"HandsuporIshoot。"
Buthehadreckonedwithouthishost。WhilecoveringDeGayangos，heoverlookedthefactthatRandomandHopewerecloseathand。Thenextmoment，andwhileDonPedroflunguphishands，theruffianwadcoveredbytworevolversinthehandsoftwoverycapablemen。
"GreatScott！"criedHervey，loweringhisweapon。"Onlymyfun，gents。Here，yougetback！"
ThiswastoInspectorDate，whohadbeenkeepinghisearsandeyesopen，andwhowasnowracingfortheendofthejetty。
Peeringover，heutteredaloudcry。
"Ithoughtso-Ithoughtso。Here’stheniggerandthemummy！"
Herveyutteredacurse，and，plungingpastthetrio，carelessoftheleveledweapons，randowntotheendofthejetty，and，throwinghisarmsroundDate，leapedwithhimintothesea。Theyfelljustbesidetheboat，asRandomsawwhenhereachedthespot。Aconfusedvolleyofcursesarose，astheboatpushedoutfromtheencrustedpile，thematethrustingwithaboat-hook。
HerveyandDatewereinthewater，butastheboatshotintothemoonlight，Random-andnowHopeandDeGayangos，whohadcomeup-sawalonggreenforminamongstthesailors；also，veryplainly，Cockatoowithhisgreatmopofyellowhair。
"Shoot！shoot！"yelledDate，whowasstrugglingwiththeskipperintheshallowwaternearshore。"Don’tletthemescape。"
Hoperanupthejettyandfiredthreeshotsintheair，certainthatthefiringwouldattracttheattentionofthefourorfiveconstablesonguardatthecottage，whichwasnoverygreatdistanceaway。Randomsentabulletintothemidstoftheboatload，andimmediatelythematefiredalso。Thebulletwhistledpasthishead，and，crazywithrage，hefeltinclinedtojumpinamongsttheruffiansandhaveahand-to-handfight。ButDeGayangosstoppedhiminavoiceshrillwithanger。Alreadytheshoutsandnoiseoftheapproachingpolicemencouldbeheard。
Cockatoogrippedthegreenmummycasedesperately，whilethesailorstriedtorowtowardstheship。
ThenDeGayangosgaveashout，andleaped，astheboatswungpastthejetty。HelandedrightonCockatoo，andalthoughaclouddriftedacrossthemoon，Randomheardtheshotscomingrapidlyfromhisrevolver。MeanwhileHerveygotawayfromDate，astheconstablescamepoundingdownthejettyandontothebeach。
"Chuckthemummyandniggeroverboardandmakefortheship，"heyelled，swimmingwithlongstrokestowardstheboat。
Thisorderwasquitetothesailors’minds，astheyhadnotreckonedonsuchafight。HalfadozenwillinghandsclutchedbothCockatooandthecase，and，inspiteoftheKanaka’scries，bothwerehurledoverboard。Asthecaseswungoverside，DeGayangos，balancinghimselfattheendoftheboat，firedatCockatoo。TheshotmissedtheKanaka，andpiercedthemummycase。Thenfromitcameapiercingyellofagonyandrage。
"GreatGod！"shoutedHope，whowaswatchingthebattle，"I
believeBraddockisinthatdamnedthing。"
ThenextmomentDeGayangoswasswungoverboardalso，andthesailorswereliftingHerveyintotheboat。Itnearlyupset，buthemanagedtogetin，andthecraftrowedforthevessel，whichwasagainshowingaflaringbluelight。Randomsentashotaftertheboat，andthenwiththepolicemenrandowntohelpDeGayangos，whowasstrugglinginthewater。Hemanagedtopullhimout，andwhenhehadhimsafeandbreathlessonshore，hesawthattheboatwasnearingtheship，andthatDate，tornandwetanddisheveled，withthreepolicemen，wasuptohiswaistinwater，strugglingtobringashoreCockatooandthemummycase，towhichheclunglikealimpet。Hoperandowntogiveahand，andinafewminutestheyhadtheKanakaashore，fightinglikethedemonhewas。RandomandDeGayangosjoinedthebreathlessgroup，andCockatoowasheldinthegraspoftwostrongmen-whorequiredalltheirstrengthtoholdhim-whileDate，warnedbyHope’scryofwhatwasinthecase，toreatthelid。Itwasbutlightlyfastenedandsooncameoff。ThenthosepresentsawinthemoonlightthedeadfaceofProfessorBraddock，whohadbeenshotthroughtheheart。Astheylookedatthesight，Cockatoobrokefromthosewhoheldhim，and，throwinghimselfonhismaster，howledandweptasthoughhisheartwouldbreak。AtthesamemomenttherecameaderisivewhistlefromTheFirefly，andtheysawthegreattrampsteamerslowlymovingdownstream，increasingherspeedwithalmosteveryrevolutionofthescrew。
Braddockhadbeencaptured，butHerveyhadescaped。
AttheinquestontheProfessorandonthebodyofMrs。Jasher，itwasprovedthatCockatoohadwarnedhismasterthatthegamewasup，andhadsuggestedthatBraddockshouldescapebyhidinginthemummycase。ThecorpseofIncaCaxaswasplacedinanemptyEgyptiansarcophagus-inwhichitwasafterwardsfound-
andBraddock，assistedbyhisfaithfulKanaka，wheeledthecasedowntotheoldjetty。Here，inanookwhereCockatoohadformerlykepttheboat，theProfessorconcealedhimselfallthatnightandallnextday。Cockatoo，havinggotridofhisboatlongsince(lestitmightbeusedinevidenceagainsthimandhismaster)，ranthroughthedensemistandthelongnightuptoPierside，wherehesawCaptainHerveyandbribedhimwithapromiseofonethousandpoundstosavehismaster。Hervey，havingassuredhimselfthatthemoneywassafe，sinceitwasbankedinafeignednameinAmsterdam，agreed，andarrangedtoshiptheProfessorinthemummycase。
ThusitwasthatHerveykeptthefourmentalkingupthejetty，asheknewthatCockatoowithhisownsailorswasshippingtheProfessorinthemummycaseunderneath，andwelloutofsight。
CockatoohadcomedownstreamwithTheFirefly，andinthiswayhadnotbeendiscovered。ThroughoutthatlongdaythemiserableBraddockhadcrouchedlikeatoadinitshole，tremblingateverysoundofpursuit，asheknewthatthewholeofthevillagewaslookingforhim。ButCockatoohadhiddenhimwellinthecase，inthelidofwhichholeshadbeenbored。Hehadbrandytodrinkandfoodtoeat，andheknewthathecoulddependupontheKanaka。HadDatenotbeensuspicious，therusemighthavebeensuccessful，buttosavehimselfHerveyhadtosacrificethewretchedProfessor，whichhedidwithouttheslightesthesitation。ThencametheunluckyshotfromtherevolverofDeGayangos，whichhadendedBraddock’swickedlife。ItwasFate。
Attheinquestaverdictof"wilfulmurder"wasbroughtagainsttheKanaka，butaverdictof"justifiablehomicide"wasgiveninfavorofthePeruvian。ThusCockatoowashangedforthedoublemurderandDonPedrowentfree。HeremainedlongenoughinLondontoseehisdaughtermarriedtothemanofherchoice，andthenreturnedtoLima。
Ofcoursetheaffaircausedmorethananinedays’wonder，andthenewspaperswerefilledwithaccountsofthemurderandtheprojectedescape。ButLucywassavedfromallthispublicity，as，inthefirstplace，hernamewaskeptoutofprintasmuchaspossible，and，inthesecond，Archiepromptlymarriedher，andwithinafortnightofherstep-father’sdeathtookhertothesouthofFrance，andafterwardstoItaly。Whatwithhisownmoneyandthemoneysheinheritedfromhermother-inwhichBraddockhadalifeinterest-theyoungcouplehadnearlyathousandayear。
SixmonthslaterSirFrankcameintothesmallSanRemowhereMr。
andMrs。Hopelived，withhiswifeonhisarm。LadyRandomlookedsingularlycharmingandwasassuredlymoreconversational。
Thiswasthefirsttimethetwosetsoflovershadmetsincethetragedy，andnoweachgirlhadmarriedthemansheloved。
Thereforetherewasgreatjoy。
"MyyachtisoveratMonteCarlo，"saidRandom，"andIam，goingwithIneztoSouthAmerica。Shewantstoseeherfather。"
"Yes，Ido，"saidLadyRandom；"andwewantyoutocomealso，Lucy-youandyourdearhusband。"
Archieandhiswifelookedatoneanother，butdeclinedunanimously。
"WewouldratherstayhereinSanRemo，"saidMrs。Hope，becomingslightlypale。"Don’tthinkmeunkind，Inez，butIcouldnotbeartogotoPeru。Itisassociatedtoomuchinmyownmindwiththatterriblegreenmummy。"
"Oh，DonPedrohastakenthatbacktotheAndes，"explainedSirFrank，"anditisnowreposinginthesepulchreinwhichitwasplaced，hundredsofyearsago，bytheIndians，faithfultoIncaCaxas。InezandIaregoinguptoakindofforbiddencity，whereDonPedroreignsasInca，andIexpectweshallhaveajollytime。Ihearthereissomebiggameshootingthere。"
"Whataboutyoursoldiering？"askedHope，rather，surprisedatthisextendedtourbeingarranged。
"Oh，myhusbandhasleftthearmy，"poutedInez。"Hisdutieskepthimawayfrommenearlyalltheday，andIgrewwearyofbeingleftalone。"
"Soyousee，Mrs。Hope，"laughedRandomgayly，"thatIhavehadtosuccumbtomyfiresidetyrant。WeshallgoandseethisfairycityandthenreturntomyhomeinOxfordshire。ThereInezwillsettledownasarealEnglishwifeandI’llturnacountrysquire。So，afterallourtroubles，peacewillcome。"
"Andasyou，willnotcometomycountry，"saidLadyRandomtoherhostess，"youcannotrefusetovisitFrankandmyselfattheGrange。Wehavehadsomuchtroubletogetherthatwecannotlosesightofeachother。"
"No，"saidLucy，kissingher。"WewillcometoOxfordshire。"
Soitwasarranged，andthenextdayMr。andMrs。HopewentovertoMonteCarlotoseethelastofSirFrankandhiswife。TheystoodontheheightswatchingtheprettylittlesteamermakingforSouthAmerica。Archienoticedthathiswife’sfacewassomewhatsad。
"Areyousorrywedidnotgo，sweetheart？"
"No，"shereplied，placingherarmwithinhisown。"Ionlywanttobewithyou。"
"Thatisallright。"Hepattedherhand。"NowthatwehavesoldallthefurnitureinthePyramids，andhavegotridofthelease，therewillbenothingtoremindyouofthegreenmummy。"
"YetIcan’thelpthinkingofmyunfortunatestepfather，andofpoorMrs。Jasher，andofSidneyBolton。Oh，Archie，littleaswecanaffordit，IamgladthatweallowMrs。Boltonasmallsumayear。Afterall，itwasthroughmystep-fatherthathersonmetwithhisdeath。"
"Idon’tquiteagreewithyou，dear。Cockatoo’sinnatesavagerywasthecause，asProfessorBraddockdidnotintendordesiremurder。Butthere，dear，donotthinkanymoreaboutthesedismalthings。DreamofthetimewhenIshallbethepresidentoftheRoyalAcademy，andyoumylady。"
"Iamyourladynow。But，"addedLucy，perhapsfromanassociationofideasofcolorandtheAcademy，"Ishallhategreenfortherestofmylife。"
"That’sunlucky，consideringitisNature’scolor。Mydear，inayearortwothistragedy，orratherthethreetragedies，willseemlikeadream。Iwon’tlistentoanotherwordnow。Thegreenmummyhaspassedoutofourlivesandhastakenitsbadluckwithit。"
"Amen，sobeit，"saidLucyHope，andthehappycouplewenthome，leavingalltheirsorrowsbehindthem，whilethesmokeofthesteamerfadedonthehorizon。
End