第24章 CHAPTER VII(3)

"That's my Pierside address if you should change your blamed mind."The Professor picked up the card. "The Sailor's Rest! What, are you stopping there?" Then, when Hervey nodded, he cried violently, "Why, I believe you have a clue, and stop at the hotel to follow it up.""Maybe I do and maybe I don't," retorted the captain, opening the door with a jerk; "anyhow, I don't hunt for that corpse without the dollars."When Hiram Hervey departed, the Professor raged up and down the room so violently that Cockatoo was cowed by his anger.

Apparently this American skipper knew of something which might lead to the discovery of the assassin and incidentally to the restoration of the green mummy to its rightful owner. But he would not make a move unless he was paid five hundred pounds, and Braddock did not know where to procure that amount. Having long since made himself acquainted with Hope's financial condition, he knew well that there was no chance of getting a second check in that quarter. Of course there was Random, whom he had heard casually had returned from his yachting cruise, and was now back again at the Fort. But Random was in love with Lucy, and would probably only give or lend the money on condition that the Professor helped him with his wooing. In that case, since Lucy was engaged to Hope, there would be some difficulty in altering present conditions. But having arrived at this point of his somewhat angry meditations, Braddock sent Cockatoo with a message to his step-daughter, saying that he wished to see her.

"I'll see if she really loves Hope," thought the Professor, rubbing his plump hands. "If she doesn't, there may be a chance of her throwing him over to become Lady Random. Then I can get the money. And indeed," soliloquized the Professor virtuously, "I must point out to her that it is wrong of her to make a poor marriage, when she can gain a wealthy husband. I will only be doing my duty by my dear dead wife, by preventing her wedding poverty. But girls are so obstinate, and Lucy is a thorough girl."His amiable anxiety on behalf of Miss Kendal was only cut short by the entrance of the young lady herself. Professor Braddock then showed his hand too plainly by evincing a strong wish to conciliate her in every way. He procured her a seat: he asked after her health: he told her that she was growing prettier every day, and in all ways behaved so unlike his usual self, that Lucy became alarmed and thought that he had been "Why have you sent for me?" she asked, anxious to come to the point.

"Aha!" Braddock put his venerable head on one side like a roguish bird and smiled in an infantine manner. "I have good news for you.""About the mummy?" she demanded innocently.

"No, about flesh and blood, which you prefer. Sir Frank Random has arrived back at the Fort. There!""I know that," was Miss Kendal's unexpected reply. "His yacht came to Pierside on the same afternoon as The Diver arrived.""Oh, indeed!" said the Professor, struck by the coincidence, and with a stare. "How do you know?""Archie met Sir Frank the other day, and learned as much.""What?" Braddock struck a tragic attitude. "Do you mean to say that those two young men speak to one another?""Yes. Why not? They are friends."