“I understand,” said he judiciously, “that Don Pedro had the mummy stolen from him thirty years ago, and that you, Professor, bought it under the impression that the Maltese owner had a right to possess it.”

“Yes,” snapped Braddock, “and I daresay the Maltese owner thought so too, since he bought it from that collector in Paris.”

Hope nodded.

“And if Vasa sold it to the man in Paris,” said he calmly, “he certainly would not tell the purchaser that he had looted the mummy in Lima, and the poor man would not know that he was receiving stolen goods.  Is that right, Don Pedro?”

“Yes, sir,” said the Peruvian, who had recovered his temper and his gravity; “but I declare solemnly that the mummy was stolen from my father and should belong to me.”

“No one disputes that,” said Archie cheerfully; “but it ought to belong to the Professor also, since he has bought it.  Now, as it can’t possibly belong to two people, we must split the difference.  You, Professor, must sell back the mummy to Don Pedro for the price you paid for it, and then, Don Pedro, you must recompense Professor Braddock for his loss.”

“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.