ssassin and his plunder on condition that I paid him
five hundred pounds. I am, as you know, very poor for a scientist,
and so I wished to borrow the five hundred from you on condition that
Lucy--"

"We won't talk of that again," said Random hurriedly; "but do you mean
to say that this Captain Hervey knows of anything likely to solve this
mystery?"

"He says that he does not, and merely proposes to search. From what I
have seen of the man I should think that he had all the capacities of a
good bloodhound and would certainly succeed. But he will not move a step
without money."

"Five hundred pounds," murmured Random thoughtfully, while the Professor
watched him closely. "I can tell you how to obtain it."

"How? In what way?"

"Don Pedro seems to be rich, and he wants the mummy," said the baronet.
"So when he comes here ask him to--"

"Certainly not: certainly not," raged Braddock, clapping on his hat in
a fury. "How dare you make such a proposition to me, Random! If this Don
Pedro offers the reward and Hervey finds the mummy, he will simply hand
it over to your friend."

"He can scarcely do that, since you have bought the mummy. But Don Pedro
is willing to purchase it from you."

"Humph!" Braddock moved to the door, thinking. "I shall reserve my
decision until this man arrives. Good day," and he departed.

Random did not attempt to detain him, as he was somewhat weary of the
Professor's vagaries. He knew very well that Braddock would call on
Don Pedro when he came to the Warrior Inn, and join forces with him in
searching for the lost goods. And the train of thought initiated by the
Professor's visit led Random to a certain drawer, whence he took the
photograph of a splendid-looking beauty. To this he pressed his lips. "I
wonder if your father will give you to me in exchange for that mummy,"
he thought, and kissed the pictured face again.

CHAPTER IX. MRS. JASHER'S LUCK'

Some weeks had now elapsed since the death and burial of Sidney Bolton,
and the excitement had simmered down to a gentle speculation as to who
had killed him. This question was discussed in a half-hearted manner
round the winter fires of Gartley, but gradually people were ceasing to
interest themselves in a crime, the mystery of which would apparently
never be solved. Life went on in the village and at the Pyramids much
in the same way, save that the Professor attended along with Cockatoo to
his museum and did not engage another ass