"I see." Random understood all in a moment. "So you say that I knew of
the emeralds from this, and so murdered Bolton to obtain them."
"Pardon me," said Braddock with elaborate politeness. "Hervey says
that you murdered my poor assistant, and although my discovery of this
manuscript proves that you must have known about the jewels, I say
nothing. I wait to hear your defense."
"That's very good of you," remarked Sir Frank ironically. "So it seems
that I am in the dock. Perhaps the counsel for the prosecution will
state the evidence against me," and he looked again from one to the
other.
Archie shook the baronet by the hand very warmly.
"My dear fellow," he declared decidedly, "I don't believe one word of
the evidence."
"In that case there must be a flaw in it," retorted Random, but did not
seem to be unmoved by Hope's generous action. "Sit down, Professor; it
appears that you are against me."
"Until I hear your defense," said the old man obstinately.
"I cannot make any until I hear your evidence. Go on. I am waiting,"
and Sir Frank flung himself into a chair, where he sat calmly, his eyes
steadily fixed on the Professor's face.
"Where did you get that manuscript?" asked Braddock sharply.
"I got it nowhere: this is the first time I have seen it."
"Yet it was hidden amongst your books."
"Then I can't say how it got there. Were you looking for it?"
"No! Certainly not. To pass the time while waiting, I examined your
library, and in pulling out a book, your case, being a swing one,
over-balanced and shot its contents on to the floor. Amongst the papers
which fell with the books, I caught a glimpse of the manuscript, and,
noting that it was written in Latin, I picked it up, surprised to
think that a frivolous young man, such as you are, should study a dead
language. A few words showed me that the manuscript was a copy of the
one referred to by Don Pedro."
"One moment," said Archie, who had been thinking. "Perhaps this is the
original manuscript, which De Gayangos has given to you, Random."
"It is good of you to afford me a loophole of escape," said Sir Frank,
leaning back with folded arms, "but De Gayangos gave me nothing. I
saw the manuscript in his hands, when he showed it to us all at Mrs.
Jasher's. But whether this is the original or a copy I can't say. Don
Pedro certainly did not give it to me."
"Has Don Pedro been in your quarters?" asked Hope thoughtfully.
"No. He has only visited me in the mess. And even if Don Pedro did come
in here--for I guess what is in your mind--I really do not see why he
should slip a manuscript which he values highly amongst my books."