"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。