"Mine! mine!" said Don Pedro, his dark eyes glittering. "Thanks be to
the Virgin and the Saints," and he bowed his head to make the sign of
the cross devoutly on his breast.
Donna Inez clapped her hands and her eyes flashed, for, like every
woman, she had a profound love for jewels.
"Oh, how lovely, Frank! It must be worth no end of money."
"Professor Braddock sold the other to some Indian rajah in
Amsterdam--through an agent, I presume for three thousand pounds."
"I shall get more than that," said Don Pedro quickly. "The Professor
sold his jewel in a hurry and had no time to bargain. But sooner or
later I shall get five thousand pounds for this." He held the gem in the
sunlight, where it glowed like an emerald sun. "Why, it is worthy of a
king's crown."
"I fear you will never get the other gem," said Random regretfully. "I
believe that it is on its way to India, if Mrs. Jasher can be trusted."
"Never mind. I shall be content with this one, senor. I have simple
tastes, and this will do much to restore the fortunes of my family. When
I go back with this and the green mummy, all those Indians who know
of my descent from the ancient Incas will be delighted and will pay me
fresh reverence."
"But you forget," said Random, frowning, "the green mummy has been taken
away by Professor Braddock."
"They cannot have gone far with it," said Donna Inez, shrugging.
"I don't know so much about that, dearest," said Sir Frank. "Apparently,
since they handled it at the time of the murder, it is easier carried
about than one would think. And then they fled last night, or rather in
the small hours of this morning, under cover of a dense fog."
"It is clear enough now," said De Gayangos, peering through the window,
where a pale winter sun shone in a clear steel-hued sky. "They are bound
to be caught in the long run."
"Do you wish them to be caught?" asked Random abruptly.
"Not the Professor. For Miss Lucy's sake I hope he will escape; but I
trust that the savage who killed these two unfortunate people will be
brought to the gallows."
"So do I," said Random. "Well, Don Pedro, it seems to me that your task
in Gartley is ended. All you have to do is to wait for the inquest and
see Mrs. Jasher buried, poor soul! Then you can go to London and remain
there until after Christmas."
"But why should I remain in London?" asked the Peruvian, surprised.
Random glanced at Donna Inez, who blushed.
"You forget that you have given your consent to my marriage with--"
"Ah, yes," Don Pedro smiled gravely. "I return with the jewel to Lima,
but I leave my other jewel behind."