“Well, I don’t know.”  Miss Kendal hesitated.  “Archie said that he would look in this evening.”

“I shall ask Mr. Hope also, my love.  Don Pedro is coming and his daughter likewise.  Needless to say Sir Frank will follow the young lady.  We shall be a party of six, and after dinner we must induce Don Pedro to relate the story of how the mummy was stolen.”

“He may not be inclined.”

“Oh, I think so,” replied; Mrs. Jasher quickly.  “He wants to get the mummy back again, and if we discuss the subject we may see some chance of securing it.”

“But Don Pedro will not wish it to be restored to my father.”

Mrs. Jasher shrugged her plump shoulders.

“Your father and Don Pedro can arrange that themselves.  All I desire is, that the mummy should be found.  Undoubtedly it belongs by purchase to the Professor, but as it has been stolen, this Peruvian gentleman may claim it.  Well?”

“I shall come and Archie also,” assented Lucy, who was beginning to be interested in the matter.  “The affair is somewhat romantic.”

“Criminal, my dear, criminal,” said Mrs. Jasher, rising to take her leave.  “It is not a matter I care to mix myself up with.  Still”—­she laughed—­“you know, why I am doing so.”

“If I had to take all this trouble to gain a husband,” observed Lucy somewhat acidly, “I should remain single all my life.”

“If you were as lonely as I am,” retorted the plump widow, “you would do your best to secure a man toy look after you.  I should prefer a young and handsomer husband—­such as Sir Frank Random, for instance but, as beggars cannot be choosers, I must content myself with old age, a famous scientist, and the chance of a possible title.  Now mind, dear, to-night at seven—­not a minute later,” and she bustled away to prepare for the reception of her guests.

It seemed to Lucy that Mrs. Jasher was taking a great deal of trouble to become Mrs. Braddock, especially as the Professor’s brother might live for many a long day yet, in which case the widow would not gain the title she coveted for years.  However, the girl rather sympathized with Mrs. Jasher, who was a companionable soul, and fond of society.  Circumstances condemned her to a somewhat lonely life in an isolated cottage in a rather dull neighborhood, so it was little to be wondered at that she should strive to move heaven and earth—­as she was doing—­in the hope of escaping from her solitude.  Besides, although Miss Kendal did not wish to make a close companion of the widow, yet she did not dislike her, and, moreover, thought that she would make Professor Braddock a very presentable wife.  Thinking thus, Lucy was quite willing to forward Mrs. Jasher’s plans by inducing Don Pedro to tell all he knew about this missing mummy.