“He says that he does not, and merely proposes to search.  From what I have seen of the man I should think that he had all the capacities of a good bloodhound and would certainly succeed.  But he will not move a step without money.”

“Five hundred pounds,” murmured Random thoughtfully, while the Professor watched him closely.  “I can tell you how to obtain it.”

“How?  In what way?”

“Don Pedro seems to be rich, and he wants the mummy,” said the baronet.  “So when he comes here ask him to—­”

“Certainly not:  certainly not,” raged Braddock, clapping on his hat in a fury.  “How dare you make such a proposition to me, Random!  If this Don Pedro offers the reward and Hervey finds the mummy, he will simply hand it over to your friend.”

“He can scarcely do that, since you have bought the mummy.  But Don Pedro is willing to purchase it from you.”

“Humph!” Braddock moved to the door, thinking.  “I shall reserve my decision until this man arrives.  Good day,” and he departed.

Random did not attempt to detain him, as he was somewhat weary of the Professor’s vagaries.  He knew very well that Braddock would call on Don Pedro when he came to the Warrior Inn, and join forces with him in searching for the lost goods.  And the train of thought initiated by the Professor’s visit led Random to a certain drawer, whence he took the photograph of a splendid-looking beauty.  To this he pressed his lips.  “I wonder if your father will give you to me in exchange for that mummy,” he thought, and kissed the pictured face again.

CHAPTER IX

Mrs. Jasher’s luck’

Some weeks had now elapsed since the death and burial of Sidney Bolton, and the excitement had simmered down to a gentle speculation as to who had killed him.  This question was discussed in a half-hearted manner round the winter fires of Gartley, but gradually people were ceasing to interest themselves in a crime, the mystery of which would apparently never be solved.  Life went on in the village and at the Pyramids much in the same way, save that the Professor attended along with Cockatoo to his museum and did not engage another assistant.

Archie and Lucy were perfectly happy, as they looked forward to being married in the spring, and Braddock showed no desire to interfere with their engagement.  They knew, of course, that he had called upon Sir Frank, but were ignorant of what had taken place.  Random himself called at the Pyramids to congratulate Miss Kendal on her engagement, and seemed so very pleased that she was going to marry the man of her choice, that, woman-like, she grew rather annoyed.  As the baronet had been her lover, she thought that he should wear the willow for her sake.  But Random showed no disposition to do so, therefore Lucy shrewdly guessed that his broken heart had been mended by another woman.  The Professor could have confirmed the truth of this from the hints which Random had given him, but he said nothing about his interview with the young man, nor did he mention that a Spanish gentleman from Peru was seeking for the famous green mummy.