“But if Random lends money for this expedition?”

“He does so at his own risk.  I am not going to marry Sir Frank because of my step-father’s requirements.  He has no rights over me, and, whether he consents or not, I marry you.”

“My darling!” and Archie kissed her before they followed Mrs. Jasher into the drawing-room.  All the same, he foresaw trouble.

CHAPTER IV

THE UNEXPECTED

For the next two or three days, Archie felt decidedly, worried over his projected marriage with Lucy.  Certainly he had—­to put it bluntly—­purchased Braddock’s consent, and that gentleman could scarcely draw back from his plighted word, which had cost the lover so much.  Nevertheless, Hope did not entirely, trust the Professor, as, from the few words which he had let drop at the dinner party, it was plain that he hankered after money with which to fit out the expedition in search of the mysterious tomb to which he had alluded.  Archie knew, as did the Professor, that he could not supply the necessary five thousand pounds without practically ruining himself, and already he had crippled his resources in paying over the price of the green mummy.  He had fondly believed that Braddock would have been satisfied with the relic of Peruvian humanity; but it seemed that the Professor, having got what he wanted, now clamored for what was at present beyond his reach.  The mummy was his property, but he desired the contents of Queen Tahoser’s tomb also.  This particular moon, which he cried for, was a very expensive article, and Hope did not see how he could gain it.

Unless—­and here came in the cause of Archie’s worry—­unless the five thousand pounds was borrowed from Sir Frank Random, the Professor would have to content himself with the Maltese mummy.  But from what the young man had seen of Braddock’s longing for the especial sepulchre, which he desired to loot, he believed that the scientist would not readily surrender his whim.  Random could easily lend or give the money, since he was extremely rich, and extremely generous, but it was improbable that he would aid Braddock without a quid pro quo.  As the sole desire of the baronet’s heart was to make Lucy his wife, it could easily be guessed that he would only assist the Professor to realize his ambition on condition that the savant used his influence with his step-daughter.  That meant the breaking of the engagement with Hope and the marriage of the girl to the soldier.  Of course such a state of things would make Lucy unhappy; but Braddock cared very little for that.  To gratify his craze for Egyptian research, he would be willing to sacrifice a dozen girls like Lucy.