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