第50章 CHAPTER XV(2)

"How is that to be done?" asked De Gayangos gloomily. "I have been doing my best at Pierside, but I cannot find a single clue.

Vasa is not to be found."

"Vasa!" exclaimed Archie and the Professor, both profoundly astonished.

Don Pedro raised his eyebrows.

"Certainly. Vasa, if anyone, must have killed your assistant, since he alone could have known that the jewels were buried with Inca Caxas.""But, my dear sir," argued Hope good-naturedly, "if Vasa stole the manuscript, whether translated or not, he certainly must have learned the truth long, long ago, since thirty years have elapsed. In that event he must have stolen the jewels, as Professor Braddock remarked lately, before he sold the mummy to the Parisian collector.""That may be so," said Don Pedro obstinately, while the Professor muttered his approval, "but we cannot be certain on that point.

No one - I agree with the Professor in this - would have risked his neck to steal a mere mummy, therefore the motive for the committal of the crime must have been the emeralds. Only Vasa knew of their existence outside myself and my dead father. He, therefore, must be the assassin. I shall hunt for him, and, when I find him, I shall have him arrested.""But you can't possibly recognize the man after thirty years?"argued Braddock disbelievingly.

"I Have a royal memory for faces," said Don Pedro imperturbably, "and in the past I saw much of Vasa. He was then a young sailor of twenty.""Humph!" muttered Braddock. "He is now fifty, and must have changed in thirty years. You'll never recognize him.""Oh, I think so," said the Peruvian smoothly. "His eyes were peculiarly blue and full of light. Also, he had a scar on the right temple from a blow which he received in a street riot in which I also was concerned. Finally, gentlemen, Vasa loved a peon girl on my father's estate, and she induced him to have the sun encircled by a serpent - a Peruvian symbol - tattooed on his left wrist. With all these marks, and with my memory for faces, which never yet has failed me, I have no doubt but what I shall recognize the man.""And then?"

"And then I shall have him arrested"

Hope shrugged his square shoulders. He had not much belief in Don Pedro's boasted royal memory, and did not think that he would recognize a young sailor of twenty in what would certainly be a grizzled old salt of fifty years. However, it was possible that the man might be right in his surmise, since Vasa alone could have known about the emeralds. The only doubt was whether he would have waited for thirty years before looting the mummy.

Archie said nothing of these thoughts, as they would only serve to prolong an unprofitable discussion. But he made one suggestion.

"Your best plan," he said suggestively, "is to write a description of Vasa - who, by the way, has probably changed his name - and hand it to the police, with the promise of a reward if he is found.""I am very poor, senor. Surely the Professor here - ""I can offer nothing," said Braddock quickly, "as I am quite as poor as you are, if not more so, Sir Frank might help," he added sarcastically.

"I shall not ask," said Don Pedro loftily. "If Sir Frank chooses to become my son-in-law by purchasing back my royal ancestor, to which you have no right, I am willing that it should be so. But, poor as I am, I shall offer a reward myself, since the honor of the De Gayangoses is involved in this matter. What reward do you suggest, Mr. Hope?""Five hundred pounds," said the Professor quickly.

"Too much," said Hope sharply - "far too much. Make the reward one hundred pounds, Don Pedro. That is enough to tempt many a man."The Peruvian bowed and noted down the amount.

"I shall go at once to Pierside and see Inspector Date, who had to do with the inquest," he remarked. "Meanwhile, Professor, please do not desecrate my royal ancestor's body more than you can help.""I shall certainly not search for any more emeralds," retorted Braddock dryly. "Now, clear out, both of you, and leave me to examine the mummy. Cockatoo, show these gentlemen out, and let no one else in."Don Pedro returned to the Warrior Hotel to inform his daughter of what had taken place, with the intention of going in the afternoon to Pierside. Meanwhile, he wrote out a full description of Vasa, making an allowance for the lapse of years and explaining the scar and the symbol on the left wrist. Hope also sought Lucy and related the latest development of the case.

The girl was not surprised, as she likewise believed that the assassin had desired more than the mummy when he murdered Sidney Bolton.

"Mrs. Jasher did not know about the emeralds?" she asked suddenly.

"No," replied Archie, much surprised. "Surely you do not suspect her of having a hand in the devilment?""Certainly not," was the prompt answer. "Only I cannot understand how the mummy came to be in her garden.""It was brought up from the river, I expect.""But why to Mrs. Jasher's garden?"

Hope shook his head.