Archielistenedquietlyanddidnotinterrupt，butthepuzzledlookonhisfacegrewmorepronounced。
\"Well，\"endedRandom，seeingthatnoremarkwasmadewhenhehadfinished，\"whatdoyouthink？\"
\"Lordknows！I’llgooutofmymindifthesesortofthingscomealong。Iamasimplesortofchap，andhavenouseformysterieswhichbeatallthedetectivestoriesIhaveeverread。Thatsortofthingisallverywellinfiction，butinreallife-humph！
Whatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"GivebacktheemeraldtoDonPedro。\"
\"Ofcourse，though，itisgiventoyouforaweddingpresent。
Andthen？\"
Then\"-Randomstaredintothefire-\"Idon’tknow。Iaskedyouintoassistme。\"
\"Willingly；buthow？\"
Randomponderedforafewmoments。
\"Whosentthatemeraldtome，doyouthink？\"heasked，lookingsquarelyattheartist。
Hopemeditativelyturnedthejewelinhislongfingers。
\"WhynotaskMrs。Jasher？\"hesuggestedsuddenly。
\"No！\"SirFrankshookhishead。\"Ifancieditmightbeher，butitcannotbe。Ifsheisguilty-asshemustbe，shouldshehavesenttheemerald-shewouldnotpartwithherplunderwhensheissohardup。Iambeginningtobelieve，Hope，thatwhatshesaidwastrueabouttheletter。\"
\"Howdoyoumeanexactly？\"
\"Thattheletterwasmerebluffandthatshereallyknowsnothingaboutthecrime。Bytheway，didBraddocklearnanything？\"
\"Notathing。Hemerelysaidthatthetwoofthemfought。I
expectBraddockstormedandMrs。Jasherretorted。Bothofthemhavetoomuchtongue-musictocometoanyunderstanding。Bytheway-toecho，yourownphrase-youhadbetterputawaythisgemorIshallbestranglingyoumyselfinordertogainpossessionofit。Themeresightofthatgorgeouscolortemptsmebeyondmystrength。\"
Randomlaughedandlockedthejewelinhisdrawer。Hopesuggestedthatwithsuchaflimsylockitwasunsafe，butthebaronetshookhishead。
\"Itissaferherethaninawoman’sjewelcase，\"heasserted。
\"Noonelookstomydrawer，andcertainlynoonewouldexpecttofindacrownjewelofthisdescriptioninmyquarters。Well，\"hecamebacktohisseat，slippinghiskeysintohistrouserpockets，\"thewholethingpuzzlesme。\"
\"WhynotdoasIsuggestandgotoMrs。Jasher？Inanycaseyouaregoingthereto-night，areyounot？\"
\"Yes。Iwanttodecidewhattodoaboutthewoman。Ihadintendedtogoalone，butasyouarehereyoumayaswellcomealso。\"
\"Ishallbedelighted。Whatdoyouintendtodo？\"
\"Helpher，\"saidRandombriefly。
\"Shedoesn’tdeserveit，\"repliedHope，lightingafreshcigarette。
\"Doesanyoneeverdeserveanything？\"askedSirFrankcynically。
\"WhatdoesMissKendalthinkofthebusiness？IsupposeBraddocktoldher。Hehastoolongatonguetokeepanythingtohimself。\"
\"Hetoldheratdinner，whenIwaspresent。Lucyisquiteonyourside。ShesaysthatshehadknownMrs。Jasherformonthsandthatthereisgoodinher，althoughIamboundtosaythatLucywasatrifleshocked。\"
\"DoesshewantMrs。Jashertomarryherfathernow？\"
\"Herstep-father，\"correctedArchieimmediately。\"No，thatisoutofthequestion。ButshewouldlikeMrs。Jashertobehelpedoutofherdifficultiesandhaveafairstart。ItwasonlybythegreatestdiplomacythatIpreventedLucygoingtoseethewretched:womanthisevening。\"
\"Whydidyoupreventher？\"
Archiecolored。
\"IdaresayIamatrifleprudish，\"hereplied，\"butafterwhathashappenedIdonotwishLucytoassociatewithMrs。Jasher。
Doyoublameme？\"
\"No，Idon’t。Allthesame，Idon’tthinkthatMrs。Jasherisanimmoralwomanbyanymeans。\"
\"Perhapsnot；butweneedn’tdiscusshercharacter，asweknowpreciouslittleofherpast，andshenodoubttoldyouthestorythatbestsuitedherself。Ithinkitwillbebesttomakehertellallsheknowsthisevening，andthensendherawaywithasumofmoney，inherpockettobeginanewlife。\"
\"Ishallhelphercertainly，\"saidRandom，withhiseyesonthefire，\"butcan’tsayexactlyhow。Itismy，opinionthatthepoorwretchismoresinnedagainstthansinning。\"
\"Youareasoldierwithaconscience，Random。\"
Theotherlaughed。
\"Whyshouldn’tasoldierhaveaconscience？Doyoutakeyourideaofofficersfromtheladynovelist，whomakesusouttobeallidleidiots？\"
\"Notexactly。Allthesame，manyamanwouldnottakethetroubletobehaveasyouaredoingtothisunluckywoman。\"
\"Anyman，whowasaman，whethersoldierorcivilian，wouldhelpsuchapoorcreature。AndIbelieve，Hope，thatyouwillhelpheralso。\"
Theartistleapedtohisfeetimpulsively。
\"Ofcourse。I’mwithyourightalong，asHerveywouldsay。Butfirst，beforedecidingwhatweshalldotosetMrs。Jasheronherlegsagain，letushearwhatshehastosay。\"
\"Shecansaynothingmorethanshehassaid，\"remonstratedRandom。
\"Idon’tbelievethat，\"repliedHope，reachingforhisovercoat。
\"Youmaychoosetobelievethattheletterwastheoutcomeofbluff。ButIreallyandtrulythinkthatMrs。Jasherisintheknow。Whatismore，IbelievethatBoltongotherthoseclothes，andthatshewasthewomanwhotalkedtohim-wenttheretoseehowthelittleschemewasprogressing。\"
\"IfIthoughtthat，\"saidRandomcoldly，\"IwouldnothelpMrs。
Jasher。\"
\"Oh，yes，youwould。Thegreaterthesinnerthemoreneedsheorhehasofhelp，youknow，mydearfellow。Butgetyourcoaton，andletustoddle。Idon’tsupposeweneedpistols。\"
SirFranklaughed，as，aidedbytheartist，hestruggledintohismilitarygreatcoat。
\"Idon’tsupposethatMrs。Jasherwillbedangerous，\"heremarked。\"We’llgetwhatwecanoutofher，andthenarrangewhatisbesttobedonetorecoupherfallenfortunes。Thenshecangowhereshechooses，andwecan，-astheFrenchsay-
returntoourmuttons。\"
\"IthinkDonnaInezandLucywouldbeannoyedtohearthemselvescalledmuttons，\"laughedArchie，andthetwomenlefttheroom。
Thenightwasdarkerthanever，andafinerainwasfallingincessantly。Whentheyleftthedimlylightedarchwayofthefortthroughthesmaller，gatesetinthelargeronetheysteppedintomidnightblacknesssuchasmusthavebeenspreadoverthelandofEgypt。InaccordancewiththeprimitivecustomsofGartleyinhabitants，oneofthematleastshouldhavebeenfurnishedwithalantern，asitwasnoeasytasktopickacleanwaythroughthemud-However，Archie，knowingthesurroundingsbettereventhanRandom，ledtheway，andtheywalkedslowlythroughtheirongateonthehardhighroadwhichledtotheFort。ImmediatelybeyondthistheyturnedtowardsthenarrowcinderpathwhichledthroughthemarshestoMrs。Jasher’scottage，andtoiledoncautiouslythroughthemistyrain，whichfellcontinuously。Thefogwasdriftingupfromthemouthoftheriverandwasgrowingsothickthattheycouldnotseethesomewhatfeeblelightsofthecottage。However，Archie’sinstinctsledhimaright，andtheyblunderedfinallyuponthewoodengate。Heretheypausedinshockedsurprise，forawoman’sscreamrangoutwildlyandsuddenly。
\"What，inheaven’sname，isthat？\"askedHope，aghast。
\"Wemustfindout，\"breathedRandom，andracedthroughthewhitecotton-woolofthefogupthepath。Ashereachedtheverandathedooropenedandawomancamerunningoutscreaming。Butotherscreamsinsidethecottagestillcontinued。
\"Whatisthematter？\"criedRandom，seizingthewoman。
SheprovedtobeJane。
\"Oh，sir，mymistressisbeingmurdered-\"
Hopeplungedpastherintothecorridor，notwaitingtohearmore。Thecrieshaddieddowntoalowmoaning，andhedashedintothepinkparlortofinditinsmokydarkness。Strikingamatch，hehelditabovehishead。ItshowedMrs。Jasherproneonthefloor，andadarkfiguresmashingitswaythroughtheflimsywindow。Therewasasnarlandthefigurevanishedasthematchwentout，CHAPTERXXIV
ACONFESSION
JanewasstillbeingheldbySirFrankatthefloor，andwasstillscreaming，fullyconvincedthathercaptorwasaburglar，inspiteofhavingrecognizedhimbyhisvoice。Randomwassoexasperatedbyherstupiditythatheshookher。
\"Whatisthematter，youfool？\"hedemanded。\"Don’tyouknowthatIamafriend？\"
\"Y-e-s，s-i-r，\"gaspedJane，fetchingherbreathagainaftertheshaking；\"butgoforthepolice。Mymistressisbeingmurdered。\"
\"Mr。Hopeislookingafterthat，andthescreamshaveceased。
Whowaswithyourmistress？\"
\"Idon’tknow，sir，\"sobbedtheservant。\"Ididn’tknowanyonehadcalled，andthenIheardthescreaming。Ilookedintotheparlortoseewhatwasthematter，butthelamphadbeenthrownoverandhadgoneout，andtherewasadreadfulstrugglegoingoninthedarkness，soIscreamedandranoutandthenI-oh-oh\"
Janeshowedsymptomsofrenewedhysteria，andclutchedRandomtightly，asamancamecautiouslyroundthecorner。
\"Areyouthere，Random？\"askedHope’svoice。
\"It’ssoinfernallydarkandfoggythatIhavemissedhim。\"
\"Missedwho？\"
\"ThemanwhowastryingtomurderMrs。Jasher，HegotherdownwhenIenteredandstruckamatch。ThenhedashedthroughthewindowbeforeIcouldcatchhimorevenrecognizehim。He’svanishedinthemist。\"
\"It’snouselookingforhimanyhow，\"saidRandom，peeringintothedenseblackness，whichwasthickwithdamp。\"WehadbetterseeafterMrs。Jasher。\"
\"Whomhaveyougotthere？\"
\"Jane-whoseemstohavelostherhead。\"
\"It’samercyIhaven’tlostmylife，sir，withburglarsandmurderersallabouttheplace，\"sobbedthegirl，droppingontotheveranda。
Randompromptlyhauledhertoherfeet。
\"Goandgetacandle，andkeepcalmifyoucan，\"hesaidinanabruptmilitaryvoice。\"Thisisnotimetoplaythefool。\"
Hissharpnesshadgreateffectonthegirl，andshebecamemuchmoreherusualself。Hopelightedanothermatch，andthetrioproceededthroughthepassagetowardsthekitchen，whereJanehadleftalampburning。Seizingthisfromitsbracket，SirFrankretracedhiswayalongthepassagetothepinkparlor，followedcloselybyHopeandtimorouslybyJane。Adreadfulscenepresenteditself。Thedaintylittleroomwasliterallysmashedtopieces，asthoughagiganticbullhadbeenwallowingtherein。
Thelamplayonthefloor，surroundedbyseveralextinguishedcandles。Itwasamercythatallthelightshadbeenputoutwhenoverturned，elsethegim-crackcottagewouldhavebeenlongsinceinablaze。Chairsandtablesandscreenswerealsooverturned，andtheonewindowhaditsrose-huedcurtainstorndownanditsglassbroken，showingonlytooclearlythewayinwhichthemurdererhadescaped。AndthatthemanwhohadattackedMrs。JasherwasamurderercouldbeseenfromthestreamofbloodthatranslowlyfromMrs。Jasher’sbreast。Apparentlyshehadbeenstabbedinthelungs，forthewoundwasontherightside。Thereshelay，poorwoman，inhertawdryfinery，crumpledup，batteredandbruised，deadamongsttheruinsofherhome。
Janeimmediatelybegantoscreamagain。
\"Stopher，Hope，\"criedRandom，whowaskneelingbythebodyandfeelingtheheart。\"Mrs。Jasherisnotdead。Holdyournoise，woman，andgoforadoctor。\"ThiswastoJane，who，preventedfromscreaming，tooktowhimpering。
\"Ihadbettergo，\"saidHopequickly；\"andI’llgototheFortandalarmthemen。Perhapstheymaycatchtheman。\"
\"Canyoudescribehim？\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidArchieindignantly。\"Ionlycaughtaglimpseofhimbythefeeblelightofalucifermatch。ThenheleapedthroughthewindowandIafterhim。Imadeagrabathim，butlosthiminthemist。Idon’tknowintheleastwhatheislike。\"
\"Thenhowcananyonearresthim？\"snappedRandom，raisingMrs。
Jasher’shead。\"Givewhatalarmyoulike，butraceforRobinsonupthevillage。Wemustsavethispoorwoman’slife，ifonlytolearnwhokilledher。\"
\"Butsheisn’tdeadyet-sheisn’tdeadyet，\"wailedJane，clappingherhands，whileHope，knowingthevalueoftime，promptlyranoutofthehousetogetfurtherassistance。
\"Shesoonwillbe，\"saidSirFrank，whosetemperwasnotofthebestatsocriticalamomentindealingwithafool。\"Goandbringmebrandyatonce，andafterwardslinenandhotwater。Wemustdoourbesttostaunchthiswoundandreviveher。\"
ForthenextquarterofanhourthemanandthewomanlaboredhardtosaveMrs。Jasher’slife。Randomboundupthewoundinaroughandreadyfashion，andJanefedthepalelipsofhermistresswithsipsofbrandy。Mrs。Jashergraduallybecamemorealive，andafaintsighescapedfromherlips，asherwoundedbosomroseandfellwithrecoveredbreath。WhenSirFrankwasinhopesthatshewouldspeak，shesuddenlyrelapsedagainintoacomatosestate。LuckilyatthatmomentArchiereturnedwithyoungDr。Robinsonathisheels，andalsowasfollowedbyPainter，thevillageconstable，whohadluckilybeenpickedupinthefog。
Robinsonwhistledashelookedattheinsensiblewoman。
\"She’shadanarrowsqueak，\"hemuttered，liftingthebodywiththeassistanceofRandom。
\"Willsherecover？\"questionedHopeanxiously。
\"Ican’ttellyouyet，\"answeredthedoctor；andwithSirFrankhecarriedtheheavybodyofthewidowintoherbedroom。\"Howdidithappen？\"
\"Thatismybusiness，\"saidPainter，whohadfollowed，andwhowasnowfilledwithimportance。\"Youlookafterthebody，sir，andI’llquestionthesegentlemenandtheservant。\"
\"Servantyourself！Suchsauce！\"mutteredJane，withanangrytossofhercapatthedaringyoungpoliceman。\"Iknownothing。
Ileftmymistressintheparlorwritingletters，andneverheardanyonecomein。Thebelldidn’tsoundanyhow。ThefirstthingI
knewthatanythingwaswrongwasonhearingthescreams。WhenI
lookedintotheparlorthecandlesandthelampwereout，andtherewasastrugglegoingoninthedark。ThenIcriedout，verynaturally，I’msure，andranstraightintothearmsofthesegentlemen，assoonasIcouldgetthefrontdooropen。\"
Afterdeliveringthisaddress，Janewascalledawaytoassistthedoctorinthebedroom，andalongwithArchieandRandomtheconstablerepairedtothepinkparlortohearwhattheyhadtosay。OfcoursetheycouldtellhimevenlessthanJanehadtold，andArchieprotestedthathewasquiteunabletodescribethemanwhohaddashedoutofthewindow。
\"Ah，\"saidPaintersapiently，\"hegotoutthere；buthowdidheenter？\"
\"Nodoubtbythedoor，\"saidRandomsharply。
\"Wedon’tknowthat，sir。Janesaysshedidnothearthebell。\"
\"Mrs。Jashermighthaveletthemanin，whomsoeverhewas，secretly。\"
\"Whyshouldshe，sir？\"
\"Ah！nowyouareaskingmorethanIcantellyou。OnlyMrs。
Jashercanexplain，anditseemstomethatshewilldie。\"
Meanwhile，insomemysteriouswaythenewsofthecrimehadspreadthroughthevillage，andalthoughitwasgrowinglate-
foritwaspastteno’clock-adozenorsoofvillagerscamealong。Alsotherearrivedanumberofsoldiersunderasmartsergeant，andtohimSirFrankexplainedwhathadhappened。Inthefaintheartedway-forthemistwasnowlikecotton-wool-
themilitaryandthecivilianshuntedthroughthemarshesroundthecottage，hopingtocomeacrosstheassassinhidinginaditch。Needlesstosay，theyfoundnooneandnothing，foritwasworsethanlookingforaneedleinabundleofhay。Themanhadcomeoutofthemist，and，afterexecutingthedeed，hadvanishedintothemist，andtherewasnottheveryslightestchanceoffindinghim。Gradually，asitdrewtowardsmidnight，thesoldierswentbacktotheFort，andthevillagerstotheirhomes。But，alongwiththedoctorandtheconstable，Hopeandhismilitaryfriendstoppedon。Theyweredeterminedtogetattherootofthemystery，andwhenMrs。Jasherbecamesensibleshewouldbeabletorevealthetruth。
\"It’sallofapiecewiththesendingoftheemerald，\"saidRandomtotheartist，\"andthatisconnected，asweknow，withthedeathofBolton。\"
\"DoyouthinkthatthismanwhohasstruckdownMrs。JasheristhesameonewhostrangledSidneyBolton？\"
\"Ishouldthinkso。PerhapsMrs。Jashersenttheemeraldafterall，andthismankilledheroutofrevenge。\"
\"Buthowwouldheknowthatshehadtheemerald？\"
\"Godknows！Shemayhavebeenhisaccomplice。\"
Archieknithisbrows。
\"Whothedevilcanthismysteriouspersonbe？\"
\"Icanonlyreplyasyouhavedone，myfriend。Godknows。\"
\"Well，IamcertainthatGodwillnotlethimescapethistime。
ThiswillbringGartleyoncemoreinto，notoriety，\"wentonHope。
\"Bytheway，IsawoneoftheservantsfromthePyramidshere。I
hopethefoolwon’tgohomeandfrightenLucy’slifeoutofher。\"
\"GotothePyramidsandseeher，\"suggestedSirFrank。\"Mrs。
Jasherisstillunconscious，andwillbeforhours，thedoctortellsme。\"
\"ItistoolatetogotothePyramids，Random。\"
\"Iftheyknowofthisnewtragedythere，I’llbettheyarenotinbed。\"
Hopenodded。
\"Allthesame，I’llremainhereuntilMrs。Jashercanspeak，\"hesaid，andsatsmokingwithRandominthedining-room，asthemostcomfortableroominthehouse。
ConstablePaintercamped，sotospeak，inthedrawing-room，keepingguardoverthesceneofthecrime，andhadplacedtheChinesescreenagainstthebrokenwindowtokeepoutthecold。
InthebedroomJaneandDr。Robinsonlookedafterthedyingwoman。Anddyingshewas，accordingtotheyoungphysician，forhedidnotthinkshewouldlivemuchlonger。Roundthelonelycottagethesea-mistdriftedwhiteandthick，andthedarknessdeepened，until-asthesayinggoes-itcouldhavebeencutwithaknife。Neverwastheresoeerieandwearyandsinisteravigil。
Towardsfouro’clockHopefellintoadoze，whilerestinginanarm-chair；buthewassuddenlyarousedfromthisbyanexclamationfromSirFrank，whohadremainedwideawake，smokingcigaraftercigar。Inamomenttheartistwasonhisfeet，alertandquick-brained。
\"Whatisit？\"
Randommadeforthedining-roomdoorrapidly。
\"IthoughtIheardPaintercallout，\"hedeclared，andhastilysoughttheparlor，followedbyHope。
Theroomwasempty，butthescreenbeforethebrokenwindowhadbeenthrowndown，andtheycouldseePainter’sbulkyformimmediatelyoutside。
\"Whatthedeuceisthematter？\"demandedRandom，entering。\"Didyoucallout，Painter。IfanciedIheardsomething。\"
Theconstablecameinagain。
\"Ididcallout，sir，\"heconfessed。\"Iwashalfasleepinthatchair，whenIsuddenlybecamewideawake，andbelievedIsawafacelookingatmeroundthecornerofthescreen。Ijumpedup，callingforyou，sir，andupsetthescreen。\"
\"Well？well？\"demandedSirFrankimpatiently，andseeingthatthemanhesitated。
\"Isawnoone，sir。Allthesame，Ihadanidea，andIhavestill，thatamancamethroughthewindowandpeeredatmefrombehindthescreen。\"
\"ThemanwhoattackedMrs。Jasher？\"
\"Ican’tsay，sir。Buttherewassomeone。Atanyratehe’sgoneagain，ifhereallydidcome，andthereisnochanceoffindinghim。It’slikepea-soupoutside。\"
HopeandRandomsimultaneouslysteppedthroughthewindow，butcouldnotseeaninchbeforethem，sothickwasthesea-fogandsodensewasthedarkness。Returning，theyreplacedthescreen，and，tellingPaintertobemoreonthealert，wentbackshiveringtothefireinthedining-room。Whentheywereseatedagain，Archieputaquestion。
\"Doyouthinkthatpolicemanwasdreaming？\"heaskedmeditatively。
\"No，\"repliedRandomsharply。\"IbelievethatthemanwhoassaultedMrs。Jasherishangingabout，andventuredbackintotheroom，relyingonthefogasameansofescape，shouldhebespotted。\"
\"Butthemanwouldn’tbesuchafoolastoreturnintodanger。\"
\"Notunlesshewantedsomethingverybadly，\"saidRandomsignificantly。
Hopeletthecigarettehewaslightingfall。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imaybewrong，ofcourse。Butitismyimpressionthatthereissomethingintheparlorwhichthismanwants，andforwhichhetriedtomurderMrs。Jasher。Weinterruptedhim，andhewasforcedtoflee。Hiddeninthefog，heislurkingabouttoseeifhecan’tobtainwhathehasriskedhisnecktosecure。\"
\"Whatcanitbe？\"murmuredArchie，struckbythefeasibilityofthistheory。
\"Perhapsthesecondemerald，\"remarkedSirFrankgrimly。
\"What！Youdon’tthinkthat-\"
\"Idon’tthinkanything。Iamtootiredtothinkatall。
However，Painterwillkeephiseyesopen，andinthemorningwecansearchtheroom。Themanhasbeeninthehousetwicetogetwhathewanted。Hewon’triskanotherattempt，nowthatheisawareweareonthealert。I’mgoingtotryandgetfortywinks。
Youkeepwatch，asyouhavehadyoursleep。\"
Hopewasquiteagreeable，butjustasRandomcomposedhimselftouneasyslumber，Jane，haggardandred-eyed，camehastilyintothedining-room。
\"Ifyouplease，gentlemen，thedoctorwantsyoutocomeandseemistress。Sheissensible，and-\"
Thetwowaitedtohearnomore，butwenthastilybutsoftlyintotheroomwhereinlaythedyingwoman。Robinsonsatbythebedside，holdinghispatient’shandandfeelingherpulse。Heplacedhisfingeronhislipsasthemenenteredgently，andatthesamemomentMrs。Jasher’svoice，weakfromexhaustion，soundedthroughtheroom，whichwasdimlyilluminatedbyonecandle。ThenewcomershaltedinobediencetoRobinson’ssignal。
\"Whoisthere？\"askedMrs。Jasherweakly，for，inspiteofthecareexercised，shehadevidentlyheardthefootsteps。
\"Mr。HopeandSirFrankRandom，\"whisperedthedoctor，speakingintothedyingwoman’sear。\"Theycameintimetosaveyou。\"
\"Intimetoseemedie，\"shemurmured；\"andIcan’tdie，unlessItellthetruth。IamgladRandomisthere；heisakindheartedboy，andtreatedmebetterthanheneedhavedone。I-oh-somebrandy-brandy。\"
Robinsongavehersomeinaspoon。
\"Nowliequietlyanddonotattempttospeak，\"hecommanded。
\"Youneedallyourstrength。\"
\"Ido-totellthatwhichIwishtotell，\"gaspedMrs。Jasher，tryingtoraiseherself。\"SirFrank！SirFrank！\"Hervoicesoundedhoarseandweak。
\"Yes，Mrs。Jasher，\"saidtheyoungman，comingsoftlytothebedside。
Shethrustoutaweakhandandclutchedhim。
\"Youmustbemyfather-confessor，andhearall。Yougottheemerald？\"
\"What！\"Randomrecoiledinastonishment，\"Didyou-\"
\"Yes，Isentittoyouasaweddingpresent。IwassorryandI
wasafraid；andI-I-\"Shepausedagain，gasping。
Thedoctorintervenedandgavehermorebrandy。
\"Youmustnottalk，\"heinsistedseverely，\"orIshallturnSirFrankandMr。Hopeoutoftheroom。\"
\"No！no！Givememorebrandy-more-more。\"andwhenthedoctorplacedatumblertoherlips，shedranksogreedilythathehadtotaketheglassawaylestsheshoulddoherselfharm。Buttheardentspiritputnewlifeintoher，andwithasuperhumaneffortshesuddenlyrearedherselfinthebed。
\"Comehere，Hope-comehere，Random，\"shesaidinamuchstrongervoice。\"Ihavemuchtotellyou。Yes，Itooktheemeraldafterdarkandthrewitintothesentryboxwhenthemanwasn’tlooking。Iescapedyourspy，Random，andIescapedthenoticeofthesentry。Iwalkedlikeacat，andlikeacatIcanseeinthedark。Iamgladyouhavegottheemerald。\"
\"Wheredidyougetit？\"askedRandomquietly。
\"That’salongstory。Idon’tknowthatIhavethestrengthtotellit。Ihavewrittenitout。\"
\"Youhavewrittenitout？\"saidHopequickly，anddrawingnear。
\"Yes。JanethoughtthatIwaswritingletters，butIwaswritingoutthewholestoryofthemurder。Youweregoodtome，Random，youdearboy，andontheimpulseofthemomentItooktheemeraldtoyou。IwassorrywhenIgotback，butitwastoolatethentorepent，asIdidnotdaretogoneartheFortagain。Yourspywhowatchedmighthavediscoveredmethesecondtime。IthenthoughtthatIwouldwriteoutthestoryofthemurder，soastoexoneratemyself。\"
\"ThenyouarenotguiltyofBolton’sdeath？\"askedSirFrank，puzzled，forherconfessionwassomewhatincoherent。
\"No。Ididnotstranglehim。ButIknowwhodid。Ihavewrittenitalldown。IwasjustfinishingwhenIheardthetappingatthewindow。Ilethiminandhetriedtogettheconfession，forItoldhimwhatIhaddone。\"
\"Whodidyoutell？\"askedHope，muchexcited。
Mrs，Jashertooknonotice。
\"Theconfessionislyingonmydesk-allthesheetsofpaperareloose。Ihadnotimetobindthemtogether，forhecamein。Hewantedtheemerald，andtheconfession。ItoldhimthatIhadgiventheemeraldtoyou，Random，andthatIhadconfessedallinwriting。Thenhewentmadandflewatmewithadreadfulknife。
Heknockedoverthecandlesandthelamp。Everythingwentoutandallwasdarkness，andIlaycryingforhelp，withthatdevilstabbing-stabbing-ah-\"
\"Who，inheaven’sname，istheman？\"demandedRandom，standingupinhiseagerness。ButMrs。Jasherhadfallenbackinafaint，andRobinsonwasagainsupplyingherwithbrandy。
\"Youhadbetterleavetheroom，youtwo，\"hesaid，\"orIcan’tbeanswerableforherlife。\"
\"Imuststayandlearnthetruth，\"saidRandomdeterminedly，\"andyou，Hope，gointotheparlorandfindthatconfession。Itisonthedesk，asshesaid，allloosesheets。Nodoubtitwastheconfessionwhichthemanshereferstotriedtosecurewhenhecamebackthesecondtime。Hemaymakeanotherattempt，orPaintermaygotosleep。Hurry！hurry！\"
Archieneedednosecondtelling，asherealizedwhathungonthesecuringoftheconfession。Hestoleswiftlyoutoftheroom，closingthedoorafterhim。Faintaswasthesound，Mrs。Jasherhearditandopenedhereyes。
\"Donotgo，Random，\"shesaidfaintly。\"Ihaveyetmuchtosay，althoughtheconfessionwilltellyouall。IamhalfsorryI
wroteitout-atleastIwas-andperhapsshouldhaveburntithadInotmetwiththisaccident。\"
\"Accident！\"echoedSirFrankscornfully。\"Murderyoumean。\"
Thesinisterwordgalvanizedthedyingwomaninsuddenstronglife，andsherearedherselfagainonthebed。
\"Murder！Yes，itismurder，\"shecriedloudly。\"HekilledSidneyBoltontogettheemeralds，andhekilledmetomakemeclosemymouth。\"
\"Whostabbedyou？Speak！speak！\"criedRandomanxiously。
\"Cockatoo。HeisguiltyofmydeathandBolton’s，\"andshefellback，dead。
CHAPTERXXV
THEMILLSOFGOD
Inthecoldgrayhoursofthemorning，Hopeandhisfriendleftthecottagewhereinsuchatragedyhadtakenplace。Thedeadwomanwaslyingstiffandwhiteonherbedunderawindingsheet，whichhadalreadybeenstrewnwithmany-huedchrysanthemumstakenfromthepinkparlorbytheweepingJane。Thewretchedwomanwhohadledsostormyandunhappyalifehadatleastonesinceremourner，forshehadalwaysbeenkindtotheservant，whoformedherentiredomesticstaff，andJanewouldnothearawordsaidagainstthedead。Notthatanyonedidsayanything；forRandomandHopekeptthecontentsoftheconfessiontothemselves。
TherewouldbetimeenoughforMrs。Jasher’sreputationtobesmirchedwhenthosesamecontentsweremadepublic。
Whenthepoorwomandied，Randomleftthedoctorandtheservanttolookafterthecorpse，andwentintotheparlor。HerehemetHopewiththeconfessioninhishand。Luckily，Painterwasnotintheroomatthemoment，elsehewouldhavepreventedtheartistfromtakingawaythesame。Hope-asdirectedbyMrs。
Jasher-hadfoundtheconfession，writtenonmanysheets，lyingonthedesk。Itbrokeoffabruptlytowardstheend，andwasnotsigned。ApparentlyatthispointMrs。Jasherhadbeeninterrupted-asshehadsaid-bythetappingofCockatooatthewindow。Probablyshehadadmittedhimatonce，andonherrefusaltogivehimtheemerald，andonherconfessingwhatshehadwritten，hehadoverturnedthelightsforthepurposeofmurderingher。OnlytoowellhadtheKanakasucceededinhiswickedness。
Archieslippedtheconfessionintohispocketbeforethepolicemanreturned，andthenleftthecottagewithRandomandthedoctor，sincenothingelsecouldnowbedone。Itwasbetweensevenandeight，andthechillydawnwasbreaking，butthesea-miststilllayheavilyoverthemarshes，asthoughitwerethewindingsheetofthedead。RobinsonwenttohisownhousetogethistrapanddriveintoJessum，theretocatchthetrainandferrytoPierside。ItwasnecessarythatInspectorDateshouldbeinformedofthisnewtragedywithoutdelay，andasConstablePainterwasengagedinwatchingthecottage，therewasnomessengeravailablebutDr。Robinson。Randomindeedofferedtosendasoldier，ortoaffordRobinsontheuseoftheForttelephone，butthedoctorpreferredtoseeDatepersonally，soastodetailexactlywhathadhappened。Perhapstheyoungmedicalmanhadaneyetobecomingbetterknown，fortheimprovementofhispractice；buthecertainlyseemedanxioustotakeaprominentpartintheproceedingsconnectedwiththemurderofMrs。Jasher。
WhenRobinsonpartedfromthem，RandomandHopewenttothelodgingsofthelatter，soastoreadovertheconfessionandlearnexactlytowhatextentMrs。Jasherhadbeenmixedupinthetragedyofthegreenmummy。Shehaddeclaredherselfinnocentevenonherdeath-bed，andsofarasthetwocouldjudgeatthispoint，shecertainlyhadnotactuallystrangledSidneyBolton。
Butitmightbe-anditappearedtobemorethanprobable-thatshewasanaccessoryafterthefact。Butthistheycouldlearnfromtheconfession，andtheysatinHope’squietlittlesitting-room，inwhichthefirehadbeenjustlightedbytheartist’slandlady，withthescatteredsheetsneatlyrangedbeforethem。
\"Perhapsyouwouldlikeacupofcoffee，orawhiskyandsoda，\"
suggestedArchie，\"beforestartingtoread？\"
\"Ishould，\"assentedRandom，wholookedwearyandpale。\"Theeventsofthenighthavesomewhatknockedmeup。Coffeeforchoice-nice，black，strong，hotcoffee。\"
Hopenoddedandwenttoorderthesame。Whenhereturnedhesatdown，afterclosingthedoorcarefully，andproceededtoread。
ButbeforehecouldspeakRandomraisedhishand。
\"Letuschatuntilthecoffeecomesin，\"hesaid；\"thenweshallnotbeinterruptedwhenreading。\"
\"Allright，\"saidHope。\"Haveacigar！\"
\"No，thanks。Ihavebeensmokingallthenight。Ishallsitherebythefireandwaitforthecoffee。Youlookchippyyourself。\"
\"Andsmallwonder，\"saidArchiewearily。\"WelittlethoughtwhenwelefttheFortlastnightwhatatimeweweregoingtohave。
FancyMrs。Jasherhavingsentyoutheemeraldafterall！\"
\"Yes。Sherepented，asshesaid，andyetIdaresay-asshealsosaid-shewassorrythatsheactedonherimpulse。IfshehadnotbeenstabbedbythatdamnedCockatoo，shewouldnodoubthavedestroyedthatconfession。Iexpectshewrotethatalsoontheimpulseofthemoment。\"
\"Sheconfessedasmuch，\"saidHope，leaninghisheadonhishandandstaringintothefire。\"Shemusthavebeencognizantofthetruthallalong。Iwonderifshewasanaccessorybeforeorafterthefact？\"
\"WhatIwonder，\"saidRandom，afteramoment’sthought，\"is，whatBraddockhastodowiththematter？\"
Hoperaisedhisheadinsurprise。
\"Why，nothing。Mrs。JasherdidnotsayawordagainstBraddock。\"
\"Iknowthat。Allthesame，CockatoowascompletelyunderthethumboftheProfessor，andprobablywasinstructedbyhimtostrangleBolton。\"
\"Thatisimpossible，\"criedtheartist，muchagitated。\"Thinkofwhatyouaresaying，Random。WhataterriblethingitwouldbeforLucyiftheProfessorwereguiltyinsuchawayasyousuggest！\"
\"Really，Ifailtoseethat。MissKendalisnorelationtoBraddocksavebymarriage。Hisiniquitieshavenothingtodowithher，orwithyou。\"
\"Butit’simpossible，Itellyou，Random。ThroughoutthewholeofthiscaseBraddockhasactedinaperfectlyinnocentway。\"
\"That’sjustit，\"saidSirFrankcaustically；\"hehasacted。Inspiteofhispretendedgriefforthelossoftheemeralds，I
shouldnotbesurprisedtolearnfromthat，\"henoddedtowardstheconfessiononthetable，\"thathewasinpossessionofthemissinggem。Cockatoohadnoreasontostealtheemeraldshimself，settingasidethefactthatheprobablywouldnotknowtheirvalue，beingbutasemi-civilizedsavage。Heactedunderordersfromhismaster，andalthoughCockatoostrangledBolton，theProfessorisreallytheauthorandthegainerandthemovingspirit。\"
\"YouwouldmakeBraddockanaccessorybeforethefact。\"
\"Yes，andMrs。Jasheranaccessoryafterthefact。Cockatooisthelink，astheactualcriminal，whojoinsthetwoinaguiltypartnership。NowonderBraddockintendedtomakethatwomanhiswifeeventhoughhedidnotloveher，forsheknewajollysighttoomuchforhispeaceofmind。\"
\"Thisishorrible，\"murmuredHopedesperately；\"butitismeretheory。Wecannotbesureuntilwereadtheconfession。\"
\"We’llbesuresoon，then，forherecomesthecoffee。\"
ThislastremarkRandommadewhenatimidknockcametothedoor，andamomentlaterthelandladyenteredwithatraybearingcups，saucers，andajugofsteamingcoffee。，Shewasameek，reticentwomanwhoenteredanddepartedindismalsilence，andinafewmomentsthetwoyoungmenwerequitealonewiththedoorclosed。
Theydrankacupofcoffeeeach，andthenHopeproceededtoreadtheconfession。
ThestorytoldbyMrs。Jashercommencedwithashortaccountofherearlylife。Itappearedthatherfatherwasaruinedgentlemanandagambler，andthathermotherhadbeenanactress。
ShewasdraggedupinaBohemiansortofwayuntilsheattainedamarriageableage，whenhermother，whoseemedtohavebeenbothwickedandhard-hearted，forcedhertomarryacomparativelywealthymancalledJasher。Theelderlyhusband-forJasherwasnotyoung-treatedhiswifeverybadly，and，infectedwiththespiritofgamblingbyherfather，lostallhismoney。Mrs。
JasherthenwentwithhimtoAmericaandperformedonthestageinordertokeepthehometogether。Shehadonechild，butitdied，muchtohergrief，yetalsomuchtoherrelief，asshewassomiserableandpoor。Mrs。Jashergaveascantyaccountofsordidyearsoftroubleandtrial，offailureandsorrow。SheandherhusbandroamedalloverAmerica，andthenwenttoAustraliaandNewZealand，wheretheylivedawretchedexistenceformanyyears。Finallythehusbanddiedofstrongdrinkatanadvancedage，leavingMrs。Jasherasomewhatelderlywidow。
Thepoorwomanagaintooktothestageandtriedtoearnherbread，butwasunsuccessful。Afterwardsshelectured。Thenshekeptaboardingestablishment，andfinallywentoutasanurse。
Ineveryway，itwouldseem，shetriedtokeepherheadabovewater，androamedtheworldlikeabirdofpassage，findingrestnowhereforthesoleofherfoot。Yetthroughoutherstoryboththeyoungmencouldseethatshehadalwaysaspiredtoaquietanddecent，respectableexistence，andthatonlyforceofcircumstanceshadflungherintothewhirlpooloflife。
\"AsIsaid，\"remarkedRandomatthisstage，\"themiserablecreaturewasmoresinnedagainstthansinning。\"
\"Hermoralsenseseemedtohavebecomeblunted，however，\"saidArchiedoubtfully。
\"Andsmallwonder，amidstsuchsurroundings；butitseemstomethatshewasmuchbetterunderthecircumstancesthanmanyanotherwomanwouldhavebeen。Goon。\"
InMelbourneMrs。Jashermadealuckyspeculationinmines，whichbroughtheronethousandpounds。WiththisshecametoEngland，andresolvedtomakeabidforrespectability。ChanceledherintotheneighborhoodofGartley，andthinkingthatifshesetuphertentinthislocalityshemightmanagetomarryanofficerfromtheFort-sinceamidstsuchdismalsurroundingsayoungmanmightbethemoreeasilyfascinatedbyawomanoftheworld-shetookthecottageamidstthemarshesatasmallrent。Hereshehopedtoekeoutwhatmoneyshehadleft-afewhundreds-untilthecovetedmarriageshouldtakeplace。AfterwardsshemetProfessorBraddockanddeterminedtomarryhim，asamanmoreeasytomanage。ShewassuccessfulinenlistingLucyonherside，anduntilthegreenmummybroughtitsbadlucktothePyramidseverythingwentcapitally。
ItwasinconnectionwiththenameofBoltonthatthefirstmentionwasmadeofthegreenmummy。Sidneywasacleveryoungman，althoughverylowlyborn，andhavingbeentakenupbyProfessorBraddockasanassistant，couldhopesomedaytomakeaposition。Braddockwaseducatinghim，althoughhepaidhimverylittleinthewayofwages。SidneyfellinlovewithMrs。
Jasher，andinsomeway-shedidnotmentionhow-gainedherconfidence。Perhapsthelonelywomanwasgladtohaveasympatheticfriend。Atalleventsshetoldherpasthistoryto，Sidney，andmentionedthatshedesiredtomarryBraddock。ButSidneyinsistedthatsheshouldmarryhim，andpromisedtomakeenoughmoneytosatisfyherthathewasagoodmatch，settingasidehishumblebirth，forwhichMrs。Jashercarednothing。
ItwasthenthatSidneyrelatedwhathehaddiscovered。
Braddock，wheninPerumanyyearsbefore，hadtriedtogetmummiesforsomescientificreason。WhenHervey-thenknownasVasa-promisedtoprocurehimthemummyofthelastInca，Braddockwasextremelypleased。HerveystolethemummyandalsothecopyofthemanuscriptwhichwaswritteninLatin。HesentthislattertoBraddock-whowasthenatCuzcoasanearnestofhissuccessinprocuringthemummy，andwhentheProfessorreturnedtoLimathemummywastobehandedtohim。
Unfortunately，Braddockwascarriedintocaptivityforoneyear，andwhenheescapedVasahaddisappearedwiththemummy。AstheProfessorhaddecipheredtheLatinmanuscript，heknewoftheemeralds，andforyearshadbeenhuntingforthemummy-suretoberecognizedfromitspeculiargreencolor-inordertogetthejewels，andthussecuremoneyforhisEgyptianexpedition。Allthrough，itseems，theProfessorwasactuatedbypurelyscientificenthusiasm，asintheabstracthecaredverylittleforhardcash。BoltontoldMrs。JasherthatBraddockexplainedhowmuchhedesiredtogetthemummy，buthedidnotmentionaboutthejewels。ForalongtimeSidneywasundertheimpressionthathismastermerelywantedthemummytoseethedifferencebetweentheEgyptianandPeruvianmodesofembalming。
ThenonedaySidneychancedontheLatinmanuscript，andlearnedthatBraddock’srealreasonforgettingthemummywastoprocuretheemeraldswhichwereheldinthegripofthedead。Sidneykeptthisknowledgetohimself，andBraddockneverguessedthathisassistantknewthetruth。ThenunexpectedlyBraddockstumbledacrosstheadvertisementdescribingthegreenmummyforsaleinMalta。FromthecolorhemadesurethatitwasthatofIncaCaxas，andsomovedheavenandearthtogetmoneytobuyit。
Atlengthhedid，fromArchieHope，onconditionthatheconsentedtothemarriageofhisstep-daughterwiththeyoungman。ThinkingthatSidneywasignorantofthejewels，hesenthimtobringthemummyhome。
SidneytoldMrs。JasherthathewouldtryandstealthejewelsinMaltaoronboardthetrampsteamer。Failingthat，hewoulddelaythedeliveryofthemummytoBraddockonsomeexcuseandrobitatPierside。Tomakesureofescaping，heborrowedadisguisefromhismother，allegingthatHopewantedthesametoclotheamodel。Sidneyintendedtotaketheseclotheswithhim，and，afterstealingthejewels，toescapedisguisedasanoldwoman。Ashewasslenderandclean-shavenandacapitalactor，hecouldeasilymanagethis，ThenhearrangedthatMrs。JashershouldjoinhiminParis，andtheywouldselltheemeralds，andgotoAmerica，theretomarryandlivehappilyeverafterwards，likeafairytale。
Unfortunatelyforthesuccessofthisplan，Mrs。JasherthoughtthattheProfessorwouldmakeamoredistinguishedhusband，soshebetrayedallthatSidney，hadarranged。
\"Whatabeastlythingtodo！\"interruptedRandom，disgusted。\"ItisnotasifshewantedtohelpBraddock。IthinklessofMrs。
JasherthaneverIdid。Shemighthaverememberedthatthereishonoramongstthieves。\"
\"Well，sheisdead，poorsoul！\"saidHopewithasigh。\"Godknowsthatifshesinned，shehaspaidcruellyforhersin，\"
afterwhichremark，asSirFrankwassilent，heresumedhisreading。
Braddockwasfuriouswhenhelearnedofhisassistant’sprojectedtrickery，andhedeterminedtocircumventhim。HeagreedtomarryMrs。Jasher，as，ifhehadnotdoneso，shecouldhavewarnedSidneyandhecouldhaveescapedwithboththemummyandthejewelsbyconnivingwithHervey。TheProfessorcouldnotriskthat，as，rememberingHerveyasGustavVasa，hewasawarehowcleverandrecklesshewas。WhetherBraddockeverintendedtomarrythewidowintheenditishardtosay，buthecertainlypretendedtoconsenttotheengagement，whichwasmainlybroughtaboutbyLucy。ThencamethedetailsofthemurdersofarasMrs。Jasherknew。
Oneevening-infactontheeveningwhenthecrimewascommitted-thewomanwaswalkinginhergardenlate。InthemoonlightshesawBraddockandCockatoogodownalongthecinderpathtothejettyneartheFort。Wonderingwhattheyweredoing，shewaitedup，andheardandsawthem-foritwasstillmoonlight-comebacklongaftermidnight。Thenextdaysheheardofthemurder，andguessedthattheProfessorandhisslave-forCockatoowaslittleelse-hadroweduptoPiersideinaboatandtherehadstrangledSidneyandstolenthemummy。ShesawBraddockandaccusedhim。TheProfessorhadthenopenedthecase，andhadpretendedastonishmentwhendiscoveringthecorpseofthemanwhomCockatoohadstrangled，asheknewperfectlywell。
BraddockatfirstdeniedhavingbeentoPierside，butMrs。Jasherinsistedthatshewouldtellthepolice，sohewasforcedtomakeacleanbreastofittothewoman。
\"Nowforit，\"saidRandom，settlinghimselftoheardetailsofthecrime，forhehadoftenwonderedhowithadbeenexecuted。
\"Braddock，\"readArchiefromtheconfession，forMrs。Jasherdidnottroubleherselfwithapoliteprefix-\"BraddockexplainedthatwhenhereceivedaletterfromSidneystatingthathewouldhavetoremainwiththemummyforanightinPierside，heguessedthathistreacherousassistantintendedtoeffecttherobbery。
ItseemsthatSidneybymistakehadleftbehindthedisguiseinwhichheintendedtoescape。Awareofthisthroughme\"-Mrs。
Jasherreferredtoherself-\"hemadeCockatooassumethedressandrowuptherivertotheSailor’sRest。TheKanakaeasilycouldbemistakenforawoman，ashealso，likeSidney，wasslenderandsmooth-chinned。Also，heworetheshawloverhisheadtodisguisehismopoffrizzyhairasmuchaspossible，andforthepurposeofconcealinghistattooedface。Inthedarkness-itwasafternineo’clock-hespoketoSidneythroughthewindow，ashehadseenhimthereearlier，whensearchingforhim。
CockatoosaidthatSidneywasmuchafraidwhenheheardthathispurposehadbeendiscoveredbytheProfessor。HeofferedashareoftheplundertotheKanaka，andCockatooagreed，sayinghewouldcomebacklate，andthatSidneywastoadmithimintothebedroomsothattheycouldopenthemummyandstealthejewels。
SidneyquitebelievedthatCockatoowasheartandsoulwithhim，especiallyasthecunningKanakasworethathewaswearyofhismaster’styranny。ItwaswhenCockatoowastalkingthusthathewasseenbyElizaFlight，whomistookhim-verynaturally-forawoman。CockatoothenreturnedbyboattotheGartleyjettyandtoldhismaster。Afterwards，theProfessor，atamuchlaterhour，wentdowntothejettyandwasroweduptoPiersidebytheKanaka。\"
\"ThatwaswhenMrs。Jashersawthem，\"saidRandom，muchinterested。
\"Yes，\"saidArchie。\"Andthen，ifyouremember；shewatchedforthereturnofthecouple。\"
\"ItwasnearlymidnightwhentheboatwasbroughtalongsidetheslopingstonebankofthealleywhichranpasttheSailor’sRest。
Noonewasaboutatthathour，notevenapoliceman，andtherewasnolightinSidneyBolton’swindow。BraddockwasmuchagitatedashethoughtthatSidneyhadalreadyescaped。HewaitedintheboatandsentCockatootoknockatthewindow。
Thenalightappearedandthewindowwassilentlyopened。TheKanakaslippedinandremainedthereforsometenminutesafterclosingthewindow。Whenhereturned，thelightwasextinguished。HewhisperedtohismasterthatSidneyhadopenedthepackingcaseandthemummycoffin，andhadrippedtheswathingstogetthejewels。WhenSidneywouldnothandoverthejewelstotheKanaka，asthelatterwantedhimto，Cockatoo，alreadypreparedwiththewindowcord，whichhehadsilentlytakenfromtheblind，sprangupontheunfortunateassistantandstrangledhim。Cockatootoldthistohishorrifiedmaster，andwantedhimtocomebacktohidethecorpseinthepackingcase。
Braddockrefused，andthenCockatootoldhimthathewouldthrowthejewels-whichhehadtakenfromSidney’sbody-intotheriver。Thepositionofmasterandservantwasreversed，andBraddockvasforcedtoobey。
\"TheProfessorslippedsilentlyashoreandintotheroom。Thetwomenrelightedthecandleandpulleddowntheblind。TheythenplacedthecorpseofSidneyinthepackingcase，andscrewedthesamedowninsilence。Whenthiswascompleted，theywereabouttocarrythemummyinitscoffin-thelidofwhichtheyhadreplaced-totheboat，whentheyhearddistantfootsteps，probablythoseofapolicemanonhisbeat。Atoncetheyextinguishedthecandle，and-asBraddocktoldMrs。Jasher-he，forone，sattremblinginthedark。Butthepoliceman-ifthefootstepswerethoseofapoliceman-passedupanotherstreet，andthetwoweresafe。Withoutrelightingthecandle，theysilentlyslippedthemummythroughthewindow，CockatoowithinandBraddockwithout。Thecaseanditscontentswerenotheavy，anditwasnotdifficultforthetwomentotakeittotheboat。
Whenitwassafelybestowed，Cockatoo-whowasascunningasthedevil，accordingtohismasterreturnedtothebedroom，andunlockedthedoor。Heafterwardspassedastringthroughthejoiningoftheupperandlowerwindows，andmanagedtoshutthesnib。AfterwardshecametotheboatandroweditbacktoGartley。OnthewayCockatootoldhismasterthatSidneyhadleftinstructionsthatthepackingcaseshouldbetakennextmorningtothePyramids，sotherewasnothingtofear。Themummywashiddeninaholeunderthejettyandcoveredwithgrass。\"
\"Whydidn’ttheytakeituptothehouse？\"askedRandom，onhearingthis。
\"Thatwouldhavebeendangerous，\"saidHope，lookingupfromthemanuscript，\"seeingthatthemummywassupposedtohavebeenstolenbythemurderer。Itwaseasiertohideitamongstthegrassesunderthejetty，asnooneevergoesthere。Well\"-heturnedoverafewpages-\"thatispracticallyall。Therestisafterevents。\"
\"Iwanttohearthem，\"saidRandom，takinganothercupofcoffee。
Hoperanhiseyesswiftlyovertheremainingportionofthepaper，andgavefurtherdetailsrapidlytohisfriend。
\"Youknowallthathappened，\"hesaid，\"theProfessor’spretendedsurprisewhenhefoundthecorpsehehadhimselfhelpedtopackand-\"
\"Yes！yes！ButwhywasthemummyplacedinMrs。Jasher’sgarden？\"
\"ThatwasBraddock’sidea。Hefanciedthatthemummymightbefoundunderthejettyandthatinconvenientinquiriesmightbemade。Also，hewishedifpossibletoimplicateMrs。Jasher，soastokeepherfromtellingtothepolicewhathehadtoldher。
HeandCockatoowentdowntotheriveronenightandremovedthemummytothearborsilently。AfterwardshepretendedtobeastonishedwhenIfoundit。Imustsayheactedhispartverywell，\"saidHopereflectively，\"eventoaccusingMrs。Jasher。
Thatwasaboldstrokeofgenius。\"
\"Averydangerousone。\"
\"Notatall。HesworetoMrs。Jasherthatifshesaidanything，hewouldtellthepolicethatshehadtakentheclothesprovidedbySidneyfromthePyramidsandhadgonetospeakthroughthewindow，inordertoflywithSidneyandtheemeralds。AsthefactofthemummybeingfoundinMrs。Jasher’sgardenwouldlendcolortothelie，shewasobligedtoholdhertongue。Andafterall，asshesays，shedidn’tmind，sinceshewasengagedtotheProfessor，andpossessedatleastoneoftheemeralds。\"
\"Ah！theoneshepassedalongtome。Howdidshegetthat？\"
Hopereferredagaintothemanuscript。
\"SheinsistedthatBraddockshouldgiveittoherasapledgeofgoodfaith。Hehadtodoit，orriskhersplitting。Thatwaswhyheplacedthemummyinhergarden，soastobringherintothematter，andrenderitmoredifficultforhertospeak。\"
\"Whatoftheotheremerald？\"
\"BraddocktookthattoAmsterdam，whenhewenttoLondonthattime-ifyouremember，whenDonPedroarrived。Braddocksoldtheemeraldforthreethousandpounds，anditisnowonitswaytoanIndianrajah。IfearDonPedrowillneverseteyesonthatagain。\"
\"Whereisthemoney？\"
\"HebankeditinafeignednameinAmsterdam，andintendedtoaccountforitwhenhemarriedMrs。JasherbysayingitwaslefttoherbythatmythicalPekinmerchantbrotherofhers。Savvy！\"
\"Yes。Whataninfernallittlevillain！AndIexpecthesentCockatoodownlastnightfortheotheremerald。\"
\"Thatisnotrelatedinthemanuscript，\"saidArchie，layingdownthelastsheetandtakinguphiscoffee。\"Theconfessionendsabruptly-atthetimeCockatootappedatthewindow，Iexpect。
Butshesaid，whendying，thattheKanakaaskedforthesecondemerald。Ifshehadnotsentittoyouinafitofweakness，I
expectshewouldhavepasseditalong。Ican’tmakeout，\"addedArchiemusingly，\"whyMrs。Jasherconfessedwheneverythingwassosafe。\"
\"Well，\"saidRandom，nursinghischin，andstaringintothefire，\"shemadeamistakeintryingtoblackmailme，thoughwhyshedidsoIcan’ttell，seeingshehadthewhiphandofBraddock。
Perhapsshewantedthefivethousandtospendherself，knowingthattheProfessor’splunderwouldbewastedonhisconfoundedexpedition。Atanyrateshegaveherselfawaybytheblackmail，andIexpectshegrewfrightened。Ifthehousehadbeensearched-anditmighthavebeensearchedbythepolice，hadIarrestedherforblackmailtheemeraldwouldhavebeenfoundandshewouldhavebeenincriminated。Shethereforegotridofitcleverly，bypassingitalongtomeasaweddinggift。Thensheagaingrewafraidandwroteoutthisconfessiontoexonerateherself。\"
\"Butitdoesn’t，\"insistedHope。\"Shemakesherselfoutplainlyasanaccessoryafterthefact。\"
\"Awomandoesn’tunderstandtheselegalniceties。Shewrotethatouttoclearherselfincaseshewasarrestedfortheblackmail，andperhapsincaseBraddockrefusedtohelpher-ashecertainlydid，ifyouremember。\"
\"Hewashardonher，\"confessedArchieslowly。
\"Beingsuchavillainhimself，\"saidRandomgrimly。\"However，Cockatooarrivedunluckilyonthescene，andwhenhefoundshehadpartedwiththeemerald，andhadwrittenoutthetruth，hestabbedher。Ifwehadn’tcomejustinthenickoftime，hewouldhaveannexedthatconfession，andthetruthwouldneverhavebecomeknown。Noone，\"endedRandom，risingandstretchinghimself，\"wouldconnectBraddockorCockatoowiththedeathofMrs。Jasher。\"
\"OrwiththedeathofSidneyBoltoneither，\"saidHope，alsorisingandputtingonhiscap。\"Whatanactorthemanis！\"
\"Whereareyougoing？\"demandedSirFrank，yawning。
\"TothePyramids。IwanttoseehowLucyis。\"
\"Willyoutellheraboutthatconfession？\"
\"Notuntillater。IshallgivethistoInspectorDatewhenhearrives。TheProfessorhasmadehisbed，sohemustlieonit。
WhenImarryLucy，I’lltakeherawayfromthisdamnedplace。\"
\"Marryheratonce，then，\"advisedRandom，\"whiletheProfessorisdoingtime，andwhileCockatooisbeinghanged。Meanwhile，I
thinkyouhadbetterputonyourovercoat，unlessyouwanttowalkthroughthevillageincrumpledeveningdress，likeadissipatedundergraduate。\"
Archielaughedinspiteofhisweariness，andassumedhisgreatcoatatthesamemomentasRandomslippedintohis。ThetwoyoungmenwalkedoutintothevillageanduptothePyramids，forRandomwishedtoseeBraddockbeforereturningtotheFort。Theyfoundthedoorofthegreathouseopenandtheservantsinthehall。
\"Whatisallthis？\"demandedHope，entering。\"Whyareyouhere，andnotatwork？Whereisyourmaster？\"
\"He’srunaway，\"saidthecookinashrillvoice。\"Lordknowswhy，sir。\"
\"Archie！Archie！\"Lucycamerunningoutofthemuseum，pale-facedandwhite，\"myfatherhasgoneawaywithCockatooandthegreenmummy。Whatdoesitmean？AndjustwhenpoorMrs。
Jasherismurderedtoo。\"
\"Hush，darling！Comein，andI’llexplain，\"saidHopegently。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEAPPOINTMENT
PoorLucyKendalwasterriblygrievedandshockedwhenthefullaccountofherstep-father’siniquitywasrevealedtoher。
Archietriedtobreakthenewsasdelicatelyaspossible，butnowordscouldsoftenthesordidstory。Lucy，atfirst，couldnotbelieveitpossiblethataman，whomshehadknownforsolong，andtowhomshewasrelated，wouldbehaveinsuchabaseway。ToconvinceherHopewasforcedtoletherreadtheaccountinMrs。
Jasher’shandwriting。Whenacquaintedwiththecontents，thepoorgirl’sfirstdesirewastohavethematterhushedup，andsheimploredherloverwithtearstosuppressthedamningdocument。
\"Thatisimpossible，\"saidHopefirmly；\"andifyouthinkagain，mydear，youwillnotrepeatsucharequest。Itisabsolutelynecessarythatthisshouldbeplacedinthehandsofthepolice，andthatthetruthshouldbecomeaswidelyknownaspossible。
Unlessthematterissettledonceandforall，someoneelsemaybeaccusedofthismurder。\"
\"Butthedisgrace，\"weptLucy，hidingherfaceonherlover’sshoulder。
Heslippedhisarmroundherwaist。
\"Mydarling，thedisgraceexistswhetheritbepublicorprivate。
Afterall，theProfessorisnorelation。\"
\"No。ButeveryoneknowsthatIamhisstepdaughter。\"
\"Everyone，\"echoedArchie，withanassumedlightness。\"Mydear，everyoneinthisinstanceonlymeansthehandfulofpeoplewholiveinthisout-of-the-way，village。Yournamewillnotappearinthepapers。Andevenifbychanceitdoes，youwillsoonbechangingitformine。IthinkthebestthingthatcanbedoneisforyoutocomewithmetoLondonnextweekandmarryme。ThenwecangotothesouthofFrancefortherestofthewinter，untilyourecover。WhenwereturnandsetuphouseinLondon-
sayinayear-thewholeaffairwillbeforgotten。\"
\"Buthowcanyoubeartomarryme，whenyouknowthatIcomeofsuchabadstock？\"weptLucy，atriflemorecomforted。
\"Mydear，mustIremindyouagainthatyouarenorelationtoProfessorBraddock；youhavenotadropofhiswickedbloodinyourveins。Andevenifyouhad，Ishouldstillmarryyou。ItisyouIlove，andyouImarry，sothereisnomoretobesaid。
Come，darling，saythatyouwillbecomemywifenextweek。\"
\"ButtheProfessor？\"
Archiesmiledgrimly。HefounditdifficulttoforgiveBraddockforthedisgracehehadbroughtonthegirl。
\"Idon’tthinkwe’lleverbetroubledagainwiththeProfessor，\"
hesaid，afterapause。\"HehasboltedintotheunknownwiththatinfernalKanaka。\"
\"Butwhydidhefly，Archie？\"
\"Becauseheknewthatthegamewasup。Mrs。Jasherwroteoutthisconfession，andtoldCockatoo，whenheenteredtheroomtogettheemerald，thatshehadwrittenit。TosavehismastertheKanakastabbedthewretchedwoman，and，hadRandomandInotarrived，hewouldhavesecuredtheconfession。Ireallybelievehecamebackagainoutofthemistinthesmallhoursofthemorningtostealit。Butwhenhefoundthatallwasvain，hereturnedhereandtoldtheProfessorthatthestoryofthemurderhadbeenwrittenout。ThereforetherewasnothinglefttoBraddockbuttofly。Although，\"addedHope，withanafter-thought，\"Ican’timaginewhythosetwofugitivesshoulddragthatconfoundedmummywiththem。\"
\"ButwhyshouldtheProfessorfly？\"askedLucyagain。\"AccordingtowhatMrs。Jasherwrites，hedidnotstranglepoorSidney。\"
\"No。AndIwilldohimthejusticetosaythathehadnoideaofhavinghisassistantmurdered。ItwasCockatoo’ssavagebloodwhichcameoutinthedeed，andmaybeitcanbeexplainedbytheKanaka’sdevotiontotheProfessor。ItwasthesamewayinthemurderofMrs。Jasher。BykillingBolton，theKanakahopedtosavetheemeraldsforBraddock:instabbingMrs。Jasher，hehopedtosavetheProfessor’slife。\"
\"Oh，Archie，willtheyhangmyfather？\"
Hopewinced。
\"Callhimyourstep-father，\"hesaidquickly。\"No，dear，Idonotthinkhewillbehanged；butasanaccessoryafterthefacthewillcertainlybecondemnedtoalongtermofimprisonment。
Cockatoo，however，assuredlywillbehanged，andagoodjobtoo。
Heisonlyasavage，andassuchisdangerousinacivilizedcommunity。Iwonderwheretheyhavegone？Didanyonehearthemgoing？\"
\"No，\"saidLucyunhesitatingly。\"Cookcameupthismorningtomyroom，andsaidthatmyfather-Imeanmystep-father-hadgoneawaywithCockatooandwiththegreenmummy。Idon’tknowwhysheshouldhavesaidthat，astheProfessoroftenwentawayunexpectedly。\"
\"Perhapssheheardrumorsinthevillageandputtwoandtwotogether。Icannottell。Someinstinctmusthavetoldher。ButIdaresayBraddockandhisaccomplicefledundercoverofthemistandinthesmallhoursofthemorning。Theymusthaveknownthattheconfessionwouldbringtheofficersofthelawtothishouse。\"
\"Ihopetheywillescape，\"murmuredLucy。
\"Well，Iamnotsure，\"saidHopehesitatingly。\"Ofcourse，I
shouldliketoavoidascandalforyoursake，andyetitisonlyrightthatthetwoofthemshouldbepunished。Remember，Lucydear，howBraddockhasactedallalongindeceivingus。Heknewall，andyetnotoneofussuspectedhim。\"
\"WhileArchiewasthuscomfortingthepoorgirl，Gartleyvillagewasinanuproar。Everyonewastalkingaboutthisnewcrime，andeveryonewaswonderingwhohadstabbedtheunluckywoman。AsyettheconfessionofMrs。JasherhadnotbeenplacedinthehandsofthepoliceandeveryonewasignorantthatCockatoowasthecriminalwhohadescapedinthefog。InspectorDatespeedilyarrivedwithhismyrmidonsonthesceneandmadethecottagehisheadquarters。Laterintheday，Hope，havingtakenacoldbathtofreshenhimselfup，camewiththeconfession。Thishegavetotheofficerandexplainedthewholestoryofthepreviousnight。
Datewasmorethanastonished:hewasastounded。Hereadtheconfessionandmadenotes；thenhesentforSirFrankRandom，andexaminedhiminthesamestrictwayashehadexaminedtheartist。Janewasalsoquestioned。WidowAnnewasputinthewitnessbox，soastoreportabouttheclothes，andineverywayDategatheredmaterialforanotherinquest。Attheformeronehehadonlybeenabletoplacescantyevidencebeforethejury，andtheverdicthadbeenunsatisfactorytothepublic。Butonthisoccasion，seeingthatthewitnesseshecouldbringforwardwouldsolvethemysteryofthefirstdeathaswellasthesecond，InspectorDateexultedgreatly。Hesawhimselfpromotedandhissalaryraised，andhisnamepraisedinthepapersasazealousandcleverofficer。Bythetimetheinquestcametobeheld，theinspectorhadtalkedhimselfintobelievingthatthewholemysteryhadbeensolvedbyhimself。Butbeforethattimecameanothereventhappenedwhichastonishedeveryone，andwhichmadethefinalphaseofthegreenmummycrimeevenmoresensationalthanithadbeen。AndHeavenknowsthatfrombeginningtoendtherehadbeennolackofmelodramaofthemostluriddescription。
DonPedrodeGayangoswasexceedinglyamazedattheunexpectedturnwhichthecasehadtaken。Thatheshouldhavebeentryingtosolveadeepmysteryforsolong，andthatthesolution，allthetime，hadbeeninthehandsoftheProfessor，startledhimexceedingly。HeadmittedthathehadneverlikedBraddock，butexplainedthathehadnotexpectedtohearthatthefierylittlescientistwassuchascoundrel。But，asDonPedroconfessed，itwasanillwindwhichblewhimsomegood，whentheupshotofthewholemysterioustragicbusinesswastherestorationofatleastoneemerald。SirFrankbroughtthegemtohimontheafternoonofthedaysucceedingMrs。Jasher’sdeath，andwhilethewholevillagewasbuzzingwithexcitement。ItwasRandomwhogavealldetailstoDonnaInezandherfather，leadingfromonerevelationtoanother，untilhecappedthewholeextraordinarystorybyproducingthesplendidgem。
\"Mine！mine！\"saidDonPedro，hisdarkeyesglittering。\"ThanksbetotheVirginandtheSaints，\"andhebowedhisheadtomakethesignofthecrossdevoutlyonhisbreast。
DonnaInezclappedherhandsandhereyesflashed，for，likeeverywoman，shehadaprofoundloveforjewels。
\"Oh，howlovely，Frank！Itmustbeworthnoendofmoney。\"
\"ProfessorBraddocksoldtheothertosomeIndianrajahinAmsterdam-throughanagent，Ipresumeforthreethousandpounds。\"
\"Ishallgetmorethanthat，\"saidDonPedroquickly。\"TheProfessorsoldhisjewelinahurryandhadnotimetobargain。
ButsoonerorlaterIshallgetfivethousandpoundsforthis。\"
Heheldthegeminthesunlight，whereitglowedlikeanemeraldsun。\"Why，itisworthyofaking’scrown。\"
\"Ifearyouwillnevergettheothergem，\"saidRandomregretfully。\"IbelievethatitisonitswaytoIndia，ifMrs。
Jashercanbetrusted。\"
\"Nevermind。Ishallbecontentwiththisone，senor。Ihavesimpletastes，andthiswilldomuchtorestorethefortunesofmyfamily。WhenIgobackwiththisandthegreenmummy，allthoseIndianswhoknowofmydescentfromtheancientIncaswillbe&lightedandwillpaymefreshreverence。\"
\"Butyouforget，\"saidRandom，frowning，\"thegreenmummyhasbeentakenawaybyProfessorBraddock。\"
\"Theycannothavegonefarwithit，\"saidDonnaInez，shrugging。
\"Idon’tknowsomuchaboutthat，dearest，\"saidSirFrank。
\"Apparently，sincetheyhandleditatthetimeofthemurder，itiseasiercarriedaboutthanonewouldthink。Andthentheyfledlastnight，orratherinthesmallhoursofthismorning，undercoverofadensefog。\"
\"Itisclearenoughnow，\"saidDeGayangos，peeringthroughthewindow，whereapalewintersunshoneinaclearsteel-huedsky。
\"Theyareboundtobecaughtinthelongrun。\"
\"Doyouwishthemtobecaught？\"askedRandomabruptly。
\"NottheProfessor。ForMissLucy’ssakeIhopehewillescape；
butItrustthatthesavagewhokilledthesetwounfortunatepeoplewillbebroughttothegallows。\"
\"SodoI，\"saidRandom。\"Well，DonPedro，itseemstomethatyourtaskinGartleyisended。AllyouhavetodoistowaitfortheinquestandseeMrs。Jasherburied，poorsoul！ThenyoucangotoLondonandremainthereuntilafterChristmas。\"
\"ButwhyshouldIremaininLondon？\"askedthePeruvian，surprised。
RandomglancedatDonnaInez，whoblushed。
\"Youforgetthatyouhavegivenyourconsenttomymarriagewith-\"
\"Ah，yes，\"DonPedrosmiledgravely。\"IreturnwiththejeweltoLima，butIleavemyotherjewelbehind。\"
\"Nevermind，\"saidthegirl，kissingherfather；\"whenFrankandIaremarriedwewillcometoCallaoinhisyacht。\"
\"Ouryacht，\"saidRandom，smiling。
\"Ouryacht，\"repeatedDonnaInez。\"Andthenyouwillsee，father，thatIhavebecomearealEnglishlady。\"
\"Butdon’tentirelyforgetthatyouareaPeruvian，\"saidDonPedroplayfully。
\"AndadescendantofIncaCaxas，\"addedDonnaInez。Thensheflirtedherfan，whichshewasrarelywithout，andlaughedinherEnglishlover’sface。\"Don’tforget，senor，thatyoumarryaprincess。\"
\"Imarrythemostcharminggirlintheworld，\"hereplied，catchingherinhisarms，rathertothescandalofDeGayangos，whohadstiffSpanishnotionsregardingtheetiquetteofengagedcouples。
\"Thereisonethingyoumustdoforme，senor，\"hesaidquietly，\"beforeweleavethismostunhappycaseofmurderandtheftforever。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"askedSirFrank，turningwithInezinhisarms。
\"To-nightateighto’clock，CaptainHervey-thesailorGustavVasa，ifyoupreferthename-steamsdowntheriverinhisnewboatTheFirefly。Ireceivedanotefromhim\"-hedisplayedaletter-\"statingthathewillpassthejettyofGartleyatthathour，andwillburnabluelight。IfIfireapistol，hewillsendoffaboatwithafullaccountofthetheftofthemummyofIncaCaxas，writtenbyhimself。ThenIwillhandhismessengerfiftygoldsovereigns，whichIhavehere，\"addedDonPedro，pointingtoacanvasbagonthetable，\"andwewillreturn。I
wishyoutogowithme，senor，andalsoIwishyourfriendMr。
Hopetocome。\"
\"DoyouanticipatetreacheryfromCaptainHervey？\"askedRandom。
\"Ishouldnotbesurprisedifhetriedtotrickmeinsomeway，andIwishyouandyourfriendtostandbyme。Werethismanalone，Iwouldgoalone，buthewillhaveaboat’screwwithhim。
Itisbesttobesafe。\"
\"Iagreewithyou，\"saidRandomquickly。\"HopeandIwillcome，andwewilltakerevolverswithus。Itdoesn’tdototrustthisblackguard。Ho！ho！IwonderifheknowsoftheProfessor’sflight。\"
\"No。ConsideringthetermsuponwhichtheProfessorstoodwithHervey，Ishouldthinkhewouldbethelastpersonhewouldtrust。Iwonderwhathasbecomeoftheman。\"
MorepeoplethanDonPedrowonderedastothewhereaboutsofBraddockandhisservant，foreveryonewasinquiringandhunting。
Themarshesroundthecottagewereexplored:thegreathouseitselfwassearched，aswellasmanycottagesinthevillage，andinquiriesweremadeatallthelocalstations。Butallinvain。
BraddockandCockatoo，alongwiththecumbersomemummyinitscase，hadvanishedascompletelyasthoughtheearthhadswallowedthemup。InspectorDate’sideawasthatthepairhadtakenthemummytoGartleyPier，afterthesearchmadebythesoldiers，andtherehadlaunchedtheboat，whichCockatoo-
judgingfromhisvisittoPierside-apparentlykepthiddeninsomenook。Itwasprobable，saidDate，thetwohadroweddowntheriver，andhadmanagedtogetonboardsomeoutward-boundtramp。Theycouldeasilyfurbishupsomestory，andasBraddockdoubtlesshadmoney，couldeasilybuyapassageforalargesum。
Thetrampbeingoutward-bound，hercaptainandcrewwouldknownothingofthecrime，andevenifthefugitivesweresuspected，theywouldbeshippedoutofEnglandifthebribewassufficientlylarge。SoitwasapparentthatInspectorDatehadnotmuchopinionoftramp-steamerskippers。
However，asthedayworeontonight，nothingwasheardofBraddockorCockatooorthemummy，andwhennightcamethevillagewasfilledwithlocalreportersandwithLondonjournalistsaskingquestions。TheWarriorInndidagreattradeindrinkandbedsandmeals，andtherusticsreapedquiteaharvestinansweringquestionsaboutMrs。JasherandtheProfessorandtheweird-lookingKanaka。SomereportersdaredtoinvadethePyramids，whereLucywasweepinginsorrowandshame，butArchie，reinforcedbytwopolicemen，senttohisaidbyDate，soonsentthemtotherightabout。HopewouldhavelikedtoremainwithLucyalltheevening，butathalf-pastsevenhewasforcedtomeetDonPedroandRandomoutsidetheFortinordertogotoGartleyJetty。
CHAPTERXXVII
BYTHERIVER
Asthehuntforthefugitiveshadcontinuedallday，everyone，police，villagersandsoldiers，werewearyanddisheartened。
Consequently，whenthethreemenmetneartheFort，thereseemedtobefewpeopleabout。Thiswasjustaswell，astheywouldhavebeenfollowedtothejetty，andobviouslyitwasbesttokeepthestrangemeetingwithCaptainHerveyassecretaspossible。However，DonPedrohadtakenInspectorDateintohisconfidence，asitwasimpossibletogetpastthecottageofthelateMrs。Jasher，inwhichtheofficerhadtakenuphisquarters，withoutbeingdiscovered。Datewasquitewillingthatthetrioshouldgo，butstipulatedthatheshouldcomealso。HehadheardallaboutCaptainHerveyinconnectionwiththemummy，andthoughtthathewouldliketoaskthatsailorafewleadingquestions。
\"AndifIseefitIshalldetainhimuntiltheinquestisover，\"
saidDate，whichwasmerebluff，astheinspectorhadnowarranttostopTheFireflyorarrestherskipper。
ThethreementhereforewerejoinedbyDate，whentheycamealongthecinderpathabreastofthecottage，andthequartetteproceededfurtherimmediately，walkingamongstthebentsandgrassestotherudeoldwoodenjetty，nearwhichHerveyintendedtostophisship。Thenightwasquiteclearoffog，strangetosay，consideringthelatesea-mist；butastrongwindhadbeenblowingalldayandthefog-wreathswereentirelydispersed。A
fullmoonrodeamongstagalaxyofstars，whichtwinkledlikediamonds。Theairwasfrosty，andtheirfeetscrunchedtheearthandgrassesandcoarseherbageunderfoot，astheymaderapidlyfortheembankment。
Whentheyreachedthetoptheycouldseethejettyclearlyalmostbelowtheirfeet，andinthedistancetheglitteringlightsofPierside。Vagueformsofvesselsatanchorloomedonthewater，andtherewasastreamoflightwherethemoonmadeapathwayofsilver。Afteracasualglancethethreemenproceededdowntheslopetothejetty。Threeofthematleasthadrevolvers，sinceHerveywasanillmantotackle；butprobablyDate，whowastoodensetoconsiderconsequences，wasunarmed。NeitherdidDonPedrothinkitnecessarytotelltheofficerthatheandhistwocompanionswerepreparedtoshootifnecessary。InspectorDate，beingaprosyEnglishman，wouldnothaveunderstoodsuchlawlessdoingsinhisownsober，law-abidingcountry。
WhentheyreachedthejettyDonPedroglancedathiswatch，illuminatingthedialbypuffinghiscigartoaruddyglow。Itwasjustaftereighto’clock，andevenashelookedanexclamationfromDatemadehimraisehishead。Theinspectorwaspointingout-streamtoalargevesselwhichhadsteamedinshoreasfaraswassafe。ProbablyHerveywaswatchingforthemthroughanight-glass，forabluelightsuddenlyflaredonthebridge。DonPedro，accordingtohispromise，firedapistol，anditwasthenthatDatelearnedthathiscompanionswerearmed。
\"Whatthedevildidyoudothatfor？\"heinquiredangrily。\"Itwillbringmyconstablesdownonus。\"
\"Idonotmind，sinceyoucancontrolthem，\"saidDeGayangoscoolly。\"Ihadtogivethesignal。\"
\"Andweallhaverevolvers，\"saidRandomquickly。\"Herveyisnotaverysafemantotackle，inspector。\"
\"Doyouexpectafight？\"saidDate，whiletheyallwatchedaboatbeinglowered。\"Ifso，youmighthavetoldme，andIshouldhavebroughtarevolveralso。NotthatIthinkitisneeded。ThesightofmyuniformwillbeenoughtoshowthismanthatIhavethelawbehindme。\"
\"Idon’tthinkthatwillmattertoHervey，\"saidArchiedryly。
\"SomuchasIhaveseenofhimsuggeststomethatheisasingularlylawlessman。\"
Datelaughedgood-humoredly。
\"Itseemstome，gentlemen，thatyouhavebroughtmeonafilibusteringexpedition，\"hesaid，andseemedtoenjoythenovelsituation。Datehadbeenwrappedupinthecotton-woolofcivilizationforalongtime，buthisprimitiveinstinctsrosetothesurface，nowthathehadtofaceaprobablerough-and-tumblefight。\"ButIdon’texpecttherewillbeanyscrap，\"hesaidregretfully。\"Myuniformwillsettlethematter。\"
ItcertainlyseemedtoannoyCaptainHerveyconsiderably，for，astheboatapproachedtheshore，andthemoonlightrevealedadistinctlyofficialovercoat，hegaveanorder。Themanstoppedrowingandtheboatrockedgently，somedistancefromthejetty。
\"You’vegotahigholdcrowdwithyou，DonPedro，\"sangoutHervey，ingreatdispleasure。\"Isthatangelinthemilitarytogs，withthebrassbuttons，thealmightyaristocrat！\"
\"No。Iamhere，\"criedoutRandom，laughingatthedescription，whichherecognized。\"MyfriendHopeiswithme，andInspectorDate。Isupposeyouhaveheardwhathashappened？\"
\"Yes，I’vetakenitallin，\"saidHerveysourly。\"IguessthenewsisalloverPierside。Well，it’snoneofmypicnic，I
reckon。Sochuckthatgoldoverhere，DonPedro，andI’llsendalongthewriting。\"
\"No，\"saidDonPedro，promptedbyDate。\"Youmustcomeashore。\"
\"Iguessnot，\"saidHerveyvigorously。\"Youwanttorunmein。\"
\"Forthattheftofthirtyyearsago，\"laughedDeGayangos。
\"Nonsense！Comealong。Youarequitesafe。\"
\"Shan’ttakeyourdamnedwordforit，\"growledHervey。\"Butifthosetwogentscanswearthatthere’snotrickery，I’llcome。I
candependonthewordofanEnglisharistocrat，anyhow。\"
\"Comealong。Youarequitesafe，\"saidSirFrank，andHopeechoedhiswords。
Thusbeingmadecertain，Herveygaveanorderandtheboatwasrowedrightuptothebeach，immediatelybelowthejetty。Thefourmenwereabouttodescend，butHerveyseemedanxioustoavoidgivingthemtrouble。
\"Holdon，gents，\"saidhe，leapingashore。\"I’llcomeup’longside。\"
Date，eversuspicious，thoughtitqueerthattheskippershouldbehavesopolitely，ashehadgatheredthatHerveywasnotusuallyaconsiderateman。Also，hesawthatwhenthecaptainwasclimbingthebank，theboat，inchargeofamate-astheinspectorjudgedfromhisbrass-bounduniform-backedwatertotheendofthejetty，whereitswungagainstoneoftheshell-encrustedpiles。Herveyfinallyreachedthejettylevel，butrefusedtocomeontothesame。HebeckonedtoDonPedroandhiscompanionstowalkforwardtothegrounduponwhichhewasstanding。Also，heseemedexceedinglyanxioustotaketimeoverthetransaction，asevenafterhehadhandedthescrollofwritingtothePeruvian，andhadreceivedthegoldinexchange，heengagedinquarrelsomeconversation。PretendingthathedoubtedifDeGayangoshadbroughttheexactsum，heopenedthecanvasbagandinsistedoncountingthemoney。DonPedronaturallylosthistemperatthisinsult，andsworeinSpanish，uponwhichHerveyrespondedwithsuchvolubilitythatanyonecouldseehewasapastmasterinCastilianswearing。Therowwasconsiderable，especiallyasRandomandHopewerelaughingatthequarrel。TheythoughtthatHerveywastheworsefordrink，butDate-cleverforonceinhislife-didnotthinkso。Itappearedtohimthattheboathadgonetotheendofthejettyforsomereasonconnectedwiththesamereasonwhichinducedtheskippertospinoutthetimeofthemeetingbyindulginginanunnecessaryquarrel。
Theskipperalsokepthiseyesabouthim，andinsistedthatthefourmenshouldkeeptogetherattheheadofthepier。
\"Idaresayyou’retryingtoplaylowdownonme，\"hesaidwithascowl，aftersatisfyinghimselfthatthemoneywascorrect，\"butI’vegotmyshooter。\"
\"SohaveI，\"criedDonPedroindignantly，andslippedhishandroundtohishippocket，\"andifyoutalkanyfurthersoinsultingIshall-\"
\"Oh，youbet，twocanplayatthatgame，\"criedHervey，andrippedouthisownweaponbeforetheSpaniardcouldproducehisDerringer。\"HandsuporIshoot。\"
Buthehadreckonedwithouthishost。WhilecoveringDeGayangos，heoverlookedthefactthatRandomandHopewerecloseathand。Thenextmoment，andwhileDonPedroflunguphishands，theruffianwadcoveredbytworevolversinthehandsoftwoverycapablemen。
\"GreatScott！\"criedHervey，loweringhisweapon。\"Onlymyfun，gents。Here，yougetback！\"
ThiswastoInspectorDate，whohadbeenkeepinghisearsandeyesopen，andwhowasnowracingfortheendofthejetty。
Peeringover，heutteredaloudcry。
\"Ithoughtso-Ithoughtso。Here’stheniggerandthemummy！\"
Herveyutteredacurse，and，plungingpastthetrio，carelessoftheleveledweapons，randowntotheendofthejetty，and，throwinghisarmsroundDate，leapedwithhimintothesea。Theyfelljustbesidetheboat，asRandomsawwhenhereachedthespot。Aconfusedvolleyofcursesarose，astheboatpushedoutfromtheencrustedpile，thematethrustingwithaboat-hook。
HerveyandDatewereinthewater，butastheboatshotintothemoonlight，Random-andnowHopeandDeGayangos，whohadcomeup-sawalonggreenforminamongstthesailors；also，veryplainly，Cockatoowithhisgreatmopofyellowhair。
\"Shoot！shoot！\"yelledDate，whowasstrugglingwiththeskipperintheshallowwaternearshore。\"Don’tletthemescape。\"
Hoperanupthejettyandfiredthreeshotsintheair，certainthatthefiringwouldattracttheattentionofthefourorfiveconstablesonguardatthecottage，whichwasnoverygreatdistanceaway。Randomsentabulletintothemidstoftheboatload，andimmediatelythematefiredalso。Thebulletwhistledpasthishead，and，crazywithrage，hefeltinclinedtojumpinamongsttheruffiansandhaveahand-to-handfight。ButDeGayangosstoppedhiminavoiceshrillwithanger。Alreadytheshoutsandnoiseoftheapproachingpolicemencouldbeheard。
Cockatoogrippedthegreenmummycasedesperately，whilethesailorstriedtorowtowardstheship。
ThenDeGayangosgaveashout，andleaped，astheboatswungpastthejetty。HelandedrightonCockatoo，andalthoughaclouddriftedacrossthemoon，Randomheardtheshotscomingrapidlyfromhisrevolver。MeanwhileHerveygotawayfromDate，astheconstablescamepoundingdownthejettyandontothebeach。
\"Chuckthemummyandniggeroverboardandmakefortheship，\"heyelled，swimmingwithlongstrokestowardstheboat。
Thisorderwasquitetothesailors’minds，astheyhadnotreckonedonsuchafight。HalfadozenwillinghandsclutchedbothCockatooandthecase，and，inspiteoftheKanaka’scries，bothwerehurledoverboard。Asthecaseswungoverside，DeGayangos，balancinghimselfattheendoftheboat，firedatCockatoo。TheshotmissedtheKanaka，andpiercedthemummycase。Thenfromitcameapiercingyellofagonyandrage。
\"GreatGod！\"shoutedHope，whowaswatchingthebattle，\"I
believeBraddockisinthatdamnedthing。\"
ThenextmomentDeGayangoswasswungoverboardalso，andthesailorswereliftingHerveyintotheboat。Itnearlyupset，buthemanagedtogetin，andthecraftrowedforthevessel，whichwasagainshowingaflaringbluelight。Randomsentashotaftertheboat，andthenwiththepolicemenrandowntohelpDeGayangos，whowasstrugglinginthewater。Hemanagedtopullhimout，andwhenhehadhimsafeandbreathlessonshore，hesawthattheboatwasnearingtheship，andthatDate，tornandwetanddisheveled，withthreepolicemen，wasuptohiswaistinwater，strugglingtobringashoreCockatooandthemummycase，towhichheclunglikealimpet。Hoperandowntogiveahand，andinafewminutestheyhadtheKanakaashore，fightinglikethedemonhewas。RandomandDeGayangosjoinedthebreathlessgroup，andCockatoowasheldinthegraspoftwostrongmen-whorequiredalltheirstrengthtoholdhim-whileDate，warnedbyHope’scryofwhatwasinthecase，toreatthelid。Itwasbutlightlyfastenedandsooncameoff。ThenthosepresentsawinthemoonlightthedeadfaceofProfessorBraddock，whohadbeenshotthroughtheheart。Astheylookedatthesight，Cockatoobrokefromthosewhoheldhim，and，throwinghimselfonhismaster，howledandweptasthoughhisheartwouldbreak。AtthesamemomenttherecameaderisivewhistlefromTheFirefly，andtheysawthegreattrampsteamerslowlymovingdownstream，increasingherspeedwithalmosteveryrevolutionofthescrew。
Braddockhadbeencaptured，butHerveyhadescaped。
AttheinquestontheProfessorandonthebodyofMrs。Jasher，itwasprovedthatCockatoohadwarnedhismasterthatthegamewasup，andhadsuggestedthatBraddockshouldescapebyhidinginthemummycase。ThecorpseofIncaCaxaswasplacedinanemptyEgyptiansarcophagus-inwhichitwasafterwardsfound-
andBraddock，assistedbyhisfaithfulKanaka，wheeledthecasedowntotheoldjetty。Here，inanookwhereCockatoohadformerlykepttheboat，theProfessorconcealedhimselfallthatnightandallnextday。Cockatoo，havinggotridofhisboatlongsince(lestitmightbeusedinevidenceagainsthimandhismaster)，ranthroughthedensemistandthelongnightuptoPierside，wherehesawCaptainHerveyandbribedhimwithapromiseofonethousandpoundstosavehismaster。Hervey，havingassuredhimselfthatthemoneywassafe，sinceitwasbankedinafeignednameinAmsterdam，agreed，andarrangedtoshiptheProfessorinthemummycase。
ThusitwasthatHerveykeptthefourmentalkingupthejetty，asheknewthatCockatoowithhisownsailorswasshippingtheProfessorinthemummycaseunderneath，andwelloutofsight。
CockatoohadcomedownstreamwithTheFirefly，andinthiswayhadnotbeendiscovered。ThroughoutthatlongdaythemiserableBraddockhadcrouchedlikeatoadinitshole，tremblingateverysoundofpursuit，asheknewthatthewholeofthevillagewaslookingforhim。ButCockatoohadhiddenhimwellinthecase，inthelidofwhichholeshadbeenbored。Hehadbrandytodrinkandfoodtoeat，andheknewthathecoulddependupontheKanaka。HadDatenotbeensuspicious，therusemighthavebeensuccessful，buttosavehimselfHerveyhadtosacrificethewretchedProfessor，whichhedidwithouttheslightesthesitation。ThencametheunluckyshotfromtherevolverofDeGayangos，whichhadendedBraddock’swickedlife。ItwasFate。
Attheinquestaverdictof\"wilfulmurder\"wasbroughtagainsttheKanaka，butaverdictof\"justifiablehomicide\"wasgiveninfavorofthePeruvian。ThusCockatoowashangedforthedoublemurderandDonPedrowentfree。HeremainedlongenoughinLondontoseehisdaughtermarriedtothemanofherchoice，andthenreturnedtoLima。
Ofcoursetheaffaircausedmorethananinedays’wonder，andthenewspaperswerefilledwithaccountsofthemurderandtheprojectedescape。ButLucywassavedfromallthispublicity，as，inthefirstplace，hernamewaskeptoutofprintasmuchaspossible，and，inthesecond，Archiepromptlymarriedher，andwithinafortnightofherstep-father’sdeathtookhertothesouthofFrance，andafterwardstoItaly。Whatwithhisownmoneyandthemoneysheinheritedfromhermother-inwhichBraddockhadalifeinterest-theyoungcouplehadnearlyathousandayear。
SixmonthslaterSirFrankcameintothesmallSanRemowhereMr。
andMrs。Hopelived，withhiswifeonhisarm。LadyRandomlookedsingularlycharmingandwasassuredlymoreconversational。
Thiswasthefirsttimethetwosetsoflovershadmetsincethetragedy，andnoweachgirlhadmarriedthemansheloved。
Thereforetherewasgreatjoy。
\"MyyachtisoveratMonteCarlo，\"saidRandom，\"andIam，goingwithIneztoSouthAmerica。Shewantstoseeherfather。\"
\"Yes，Ido，\"saidLadyRandom；\"andwewantyoutocomealso，Lucy-youandyourdearhusband。\"
Archieandhiswifelookedatoneanother，butdeclinedunanimously。
\"WewouldratherstayhereinSanRemo，\"saidMrs。Hope，becomingslightlypale。\"Don’tthinkmeunkind，Inez，butIcouldnotbeartogotoPeru。Itisassociatedtoomuchinmyownmindwiththatterriblegreenmummy。\"
\"Oh，DonPedrohastakenthatbacktotheAndes，\"explainedSirFrank，\"anditisnowreposinginthesepulchreinwhichitwasplaced，hundredsofyearsago，bytheIndians，faithfultoIncaCaxas。InezandIaregoinguptoakindofforbiddencity，whereDonPedroreignsasInca，andIexpectweshallhaveajollytime。Ihearthereissomebiggameshootingthere。\"
\"Whataboutyoursoldiering？\"askedHope，rather，surprisedatthisextendedtourbeingarranged。
\"Oh，myhusbandhasleftthearmy，\"poutedInez。\"Hisdutieskepthimawayfrommenearlyalltheday，andIgrewwearyofbeingleftalone。\"
\"Soyousee，Mrs。Hope，\"laughedRandomgayly，\"thatIhavehadtosuccumbtomyfiresidetyrant。WeshallgoandseethisfairycityandthenreturntomyhomeinOxfordshire。ThereInezwillsettledownasarealEnglishwifeandI’llturnacountrysquire。So，afterallourtroubles，peacewillcome。\"
\"Andasyou，willnotcometomycountry，\"saidLadyRandomtoherhostess，\"youcannotrefusetovisitFrankandmyselfattheGrange。Wehavehadsomuchtroubletogetherthatwecannotlosesightofeachother。\"
\"No，\"saidLucy，kissingher。\"WewillcometoOxfordshire。\"
Soitwasarranged，andthenextdayMr。andMrs。HopewentovertoMonteCarlotoseethelastofSirFrankandhiswife。TheystoodontheheightswatchingtheprettylittlesteamermakingforSouthAmerica。Archienoticedthathiswife’sfacewassomewhatsad。
\"Areyousorrywedidnotgo，sweetheart？\"
\"No，\"shereplied，placingherarmwithinhisown。\"Ionlywanttobewithyou。\"
\"Thatisallright。\"Hepattedherhand。\"NowthatwehavesoldallthefurnitureinthePyramids，andhavegotridofthelease，therewillbenothingtoremindyouofthegreenmummy。\"
\"YetIcan’thelpthinkingofmyunfortunatestepfather，andofpoorMrs。Jasher，andofSidneyBolton。Oh，Archie，littleaswecanaffordit，IamgladthatweallowMrs。Boltonasmallsumayear。Afterall，itwasthroughmystep-fatherthathersonmetwithhisdeath。\"
\"Idon’tquiteagreewithyou，dear。Cockatoo’sinnatesavagerywasthecause，asProfessorBraddockdidnotintendordesiremurder。Butthere，dear，donotthinkanymoreaboutthesedismalthings。DreamofthetimewhenIshallbethepresidentoftheRoyalAcademy，andyoumylady。\"
\"Iamyourladynow。But，\"addedLucy，perhapsfromanassociationofideasofcolorandtheAcademy，\"Ishallhategreenfortherestofmylife。\"
\"That’sunlucky，consideringitisNature’scolor。Mydear，inayearortwothistragedy，orratherthethreetragedies，willseemlikeadream。Iwon’tlistentoanotherwordnow。Thegreenmummyhaspassedoutofourlivesandhastakenitsbadluckwithit。\"
\"Amen，sobeit，\"saidLucyHope，andthehappycouplewenthome，leavingalltheirsorrowsbehindthem，whilethesmokeofthesteamerfadedonthehorizon。
End
