who was the skipper of The Diver. He accuses you of having murdered Bolton!”
“What?” the baronet started back, looking thunderstruck.
“Wait a moment. I have not finished yet. Hervey accuses you of this murder, of stealing the mummy, of gaining possession of the emeralds, and of placing the rifled corpse in Mrs. Jasher's garden, so that she might be accused of committing the crime.”
“Exactly,” cried Braddock, seeing that his host remained silent from sheer surprise. “Hope has stated the case very clearly. Now, sir, your defense?”
“Defense! defense!” Random found his tongue at last and spoke indignantly. “I have no defense to make.”
“Ah! Then you acknowledge your guilt?”
“I acknowledge nothing. The accusation is too preposterous for any denial to be necessary. Do you believe this of me?” He looked from one to the other.
“I don't,” said Archie quickly, “there is some mistake.”
“Thank you, Hope. And you, Professor?”
Braddock fidgeted about the room.
“I don't know what to think,” he said at length. “Hervey spoke very decisively.”
“Oh, indeed,” returned Random dryly, and, walking to the door, he locked it. “In that case, I must ask you for an explanation, and neither of you shall leave this room until one is given. Your proofs?”
“Here is one of them,” snapped Braddock, throwing the manuscript on the table. “Where did you get this?”