The Green Mummy - Page 114/191

Random was so taken aback by the fierce accusation of the Professor that

he stood suddenly still at the door, and did not advance into the room.

Yet he did not look so much afraid as puzzled. Whatever Braddock might

have thought, Hope, from the expression on the young soldier's face, was

more than ever satisfied of his innocence.

"What are you talking about, Professor?" asked Random, genuinely

surprised.

"You know well enough," retorted the Professor.

"Upon my word I don't," said the other, walking into the room and

unbuckling his sword. "I find you here, with the contents of my bookcase

on the floor, and you promptly accuse me of being guilty. Of what, I

should like to know? Perhaps you can tell me Hope."

"There is no need for Hope to tell you, sir. You are perfectly well

aware of your own villainy."

Random frowned.

"I allow a certain amount of latitude to my guests, Professor," he said

with marked dignity, "but for a man of your age and position you go too

far. Be more explicit."

"Allow me to speak," intervened Archie, anticipating Braddock. "Random,

the Professor has just had a visit from Captain Hiram Hervey, who was

the skipper of The Diver. He accuses you of having murdered Bolton!"

"What?" the baronet started back, looking thunderstruck.

"Wait a moment. I have not finished yet. Hervey accuses you of this

murder, of stealing the mummy, of gaining possession of the emeralds,

and of placing the rifled corpse in Mrs. Jasher's garden, so that she

might be accused of committing the crime."

"Exactly," cried Braddock, seeing that his host remained silent from

sheer surprise. "Hope has stated the case very clearly. Now, sir, your

defense?"

"Defense! defense!" Random found his tongue at last and spoke

indignantly. "I have no defense to make."

"Ah! Then you acknowledge your guilt?"

"I acknowledge nothing. The accusation is too preposterous for any

denial to be necessary. Do you believe this of me?" He looked from one

to the other.

"I don't," said Archie quickly, "there is some mistake."

"Thank you, Hope. And you, Professor?"

Braddock fidgeted about the room.

"I don't know what to think," he said at length. "Hervey spoke very

decisively."

"Oh, indeed," returned Random dryly, and, walking to the door, he locked

it. "In that case, I must ask you for an explanation, and neither of you

shall leave this room until one is given. Your proofs?"

"Here is one of them," snapped Braddock, throwing the manuscript on the

table. "Where did you get this?"

Random took up the discolored paper with a bewildered air.

"I never set eyes on this before," he said, much puzzled. "What is it?"

"A copy of the manuscript mentioned by Don Pedro, which describes the

two emeralds buried with the mummy of Inca Caxas."