"We can discover nothing about that."
"You forget what Don Pedro said, my dear," remarked Mrs. Jasher hastily,
"that the mummy had been stolen from his father. Let us hear what he has
to say and we may find a clue. I am anxious that the Professor should
regain the green mummy for reasons which you know of. And now, my hear,
can you come to dinner to-night?"
"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.