The Green Mummy - Page 136/191

"You accuse me, so why should I not accuse you?" retorted Random.

"Because you are guilty, and I ain't," snapped the American.

"You join issue: you join issue," murmured Braddock, rubbing his hands.

Random took no notice of the interruption.

"I have heard from Mr. Hope and Professor Braddock of the grounds upon

which you base your accusation, and I have explained to them how I came

to be on board your ship and both in and out of the Sailor's Rest."

"And the explanation is quite satisfactory," said Hope smartly.

"I agree," Donna Inez nodded with very bright eyes. "Sir Frank has

explained to me also. He knew nothing of the manuscript."

"And you, sir," said Don Pedro quietly to Captain Hervey, "apparently

did, since you stole it along with the mummy from Lima."

"I confess the theft, but I didn't know what the manuscript contained,"

said the skipper dryly, "or I reckon you wouldn't have to ask who stole

the emeralds. No, sir, I should have looted them."

"I believe you did, and murdered Bolton," cried Random hotly.

"Shucks!" retorted Hervey, rising with a shrug, "if I had wished to get

rid of Bolton, I'd have yanked him overboard and then would have written

`accident' in my blamed log-book."

Braddock looked at Don Pedro, and Archie at Sir Frank. What the skipper

said was plausible enough. No man would have been such a fool as to have

murdered Bolton ashore, when he could have done so without suspicion on

board the tramp. Moreover, Hervey spoke with genuine regret, since he

had missed the emeralds and assuredly would not have hesitated to

steal them even at the cost of Bolton's life, had he known of their

whereabouts. So far he had made a good defense, and, seeing the

impression produced, he strolled to the door. There he halted.

"If you gents want to lynch me," he said leisurely, "I'll be found at

the Sailor's Rest for the next week. Then I'm going as skipper of The

Firefly steamer, Port o' London, to Algiers. You can send the sheriff

along whenever you choose. But I mean to have my picnic first, and

to-morrow I'm going to Inspector Date with my yarn. Then I guess that

almighty aristocrat wilt find himself in quod."

"Wait a moment," cried Braddock, running to the door. "Let me talk to

you and arrange what is best to be done. If you will--"

He proceeded no further, for without vouchsafing him a reply, Hervey,

now quite master of the situation, passed through the door, and the

Professor hastily followed him. Those who remained looked at one

another, scarcely knowing what to say, or how to act.

"They will arrest thee, my angel," cried Donna Inez, clasping Random's

arm.