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.”