Then we can discuss the matter and come to a decision.”
Random nodded absently.
“I wonder if Mrs. Jasher was the woman who talked to Bolton through the window?” he remarked.
“It is not impossible.
Although that does not explain why Bolton borrowed a female disguise from this mother.”
“Mrs. Jasher might have worn it.”
“That would argue some understanding between Bolton and Mrs. Jasher, and a knowledge of the manuscript before Bolton left for Malta.
We know that he could only have seen the manuscript for the first time at Malta.
It was evidently stowed away in the swathings of the mummy by my father, who forgot all about it when he gave me the original.”
“Hervey forgot also.
I wonder if that is true?”
“I am certain it is,” said Don Pedro emphatically, “for, if Hervey, or Vasa, or whatever you like to call him, had found that manuscript and had got it translated, he certainly would have opened the mummy and have secured the emeralds.
No, Sir Frank, I believe that his theory is partly true.
Bolton intended to run away with the emeralds, and send the empty mummy to Professor Braddock; for, if you remember, he arranged that the landlord of the Sailor’s Rest should forward the case next morning, even if he happened to be away.
Bolton intended to be away—with the emeralds.”
“Then you do not believe that Hervey placed the manuscript in my room?”
“He declared most emphatically that he did not,” said Don Pedro, “when at Pierside yesterday I went to the Sailor’s Rest and saw him.
He told Braddock only the other day that he had lost his chance of a sailing vessel, and, as yet, had not got another one.
But when he returned to Pierside he found a letter waiting him—so he told me—giving him command of a four thousand ton tramp steamer called The Firefly.
He is to sail at once—to-morrow, I believe.”
“Then what is he going to do about this murder business?”
“He can do nothing at present, as, if he remains in Pierside, he will lose his new command.
To-morrow he drops down stream, but meantime he intends to write out the whole story of the theft of the mummy.
I have promised to give him fifty pounds for doing so, as I want to get back the mummy, free of charge, from Braddock.”
“I think Braddock will stick to the mummy in any event,” said Random grimly.
“Not when Hervey writes out his evidence.
He will not have it completed by the time he sails, as he is very busy. But he has promised to send off a boat to the jetty near the Fort to-morrow evening, when he is dropping down stream. I shall be there with fifty pounds in gold.”
“Supposing he fails to stop or send the boat?”
“Then he will not get his fifty pounds,” retorted Don Pedro. “The man is a rascal, and deserves prison rather than reward, but since the mummy was stolen by him thirty years back, he alone can prove my ownership.”
“But why take all this trouble?” argued the baronet.
“I can buy the mummy from Braddock.”
“No,” said Don Pedro. “I have a right to my own property.”
Random lingered until late in the afternoon and until darkness fell, as he was anxious to see Donna Inez.
But she did not appear until late.
Meanwhile Archie Hope put in an appearance, having come to see Don Pedro with an account of his interview with Widow Anne.
Before coming to the inn he had called on Professor Braddock, and from him had heard all about the wickedness of Mrs. Jasher. His surprise was very great.
“I should not have believed it,” he declared. “Poor woman!”
“Ah,” said Random, rather pleased, “you are more merciful than the Professor, Hope.
He calls her a bad woman.”
“Humph!
I don’t think that Braddock is so good that he can afford to throw a stone,” said Archie rather sourly. “Mrs. Jasher has not behaved well, but I should like to hear her complete story before judging.
There must be a lot of good in her, or Lucy, who has been with her a great deal, would have found her out long ago.
I go by a woman’s judgment of a woman.
But Mrs. Jasher must have been anxious to marry.”
“She was; as Professor Braddock knows,” said Random quickly.
“I am not thinking of that so much as of what Widow Anne told me.”
“Oh,” said Don Pedro, looking up from where he was seated, “so you have seen that old woman?
What does she say about the clothes?”
“She sticks to her story. Sidney, she declares, borrowed the clothes to give to me for a model.
Now, I never asked Bolton to do this, so I fancy the disguise must have been intended for himself, or for Mrs. Jasher.”