"I have not much money," said Don Pedro gravely; "still, I am willing to
do as you say."
"I don't know that I am," protested Braddock noisily. "There are the two
emeralds which are of immense value, as Don Pedro says, and they belong
to me, since the mummy is my property."
"Professor," said Archie solemnly, "you must do right, even if you lose
by it. I believe the story of Senor De Gayangos; and the mummy with its
jewels belongs to him. Besides, you only wish to see the way in which
the Inca race embalmed their dead. Well, then, unpack the mummy here in
the presence of Don Pedro. When you have satisfied your curiosity, and
when Senor De Gayangos signs a check for one thousand pounds, he can
take away the corpse. You have had so much trouble over it, that I
wonder your are not anxious to see the last of it."
"But the emeralds would sell for much money and would defray the
expenses of my expedition into Egypt to search for that Queen's tomb."
"I understood from Lucy that Mrs. Jasher intended to finance that
expedition when she became your wife."
"Humph!" muttered Braddock, stroking his fat chin. "I said a few foolish
things to her last night when I was heated up. She may not forgive me,
Hope."
"A woman will forgive anything to the man she loves," said Archie.
Braddock was no fool, and could not help casting a glance at his tubby
figure, which was reflected in a near mirror. It seemed incredible that
Mrs. Jasher could love him for his looks, and the fact that he
might some day be a baronet did not strike him at the moment as a
consideration. However, he foresaw trouble and expense should Don
Pedro go to law, as he seemed determined to do. Taking all things into
consideration, Braddock thought that Archie's judgment was a good one,
and yielded.
"Well," he said after reflection, "let us agree. I shall open the case
and examine the mummy, which after all is the reason why I bought it.
When I have satisfied myself as to the difference between the modes of
embalming, Don Pedro can give me a check and take away the mummy. I only
hope that he will have less trouble with it than I have had," and,
so speaking, Braddock, signing to Cockatoo to bring all the necessary
tools, laid hands on the case.
"I am content," said Don Pedro briefly, and seated himself in a chair
beside the young Daniel who had delivered judgment.
Hope offered to assist the Professor to open the case, but was dismissed
with an abrupt refusal.
"Though I am glad you are present to see the mummy unpacked," said
Braddock, laboring at the lid of the case, "for if the emeralds are
missing, Don Pedro might accuse me of stealing them."