"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，fromthesecondmateofTheDiverwhichain’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。