“The green mummy.” Random looked into the fire, “Yes. I have heard of the green mummy.”
“I should think you have,” snapped Braddock, warming his plump hands. “Every penny-a-liner has been talking about it. When did you return?”
“On the same day that that steamer with the mummy on board arrived,” was Random's odd reply.
The Professor stared suspiciously. “I don't see why you should date your movements by my mummy,” he retorted.
“Well, I had a reason in doing so.”
“What reason?”
“The mummy—”
“What about it?—do you know where it is?” Braddock started to his feet, and looked eagerly at the calm face of his host.
“No, I wish I did. How much did you pay for it, Professor?”
“What's that to you?” snapped the other, resuming his seat.
“Nothing at all. But it is a great deal to Don Pedro de Gayangos.”
“And who the deuce is he? Some Spanish Egyptologist?”
“I don't think he is an Egyptologist, sir.”
“He must be, if he wants my mummy.”
“You forget, Professor, that the green mummy comes from Peru.”
“Who denied that it did, sir? You are illogical—infernally so.” The little man rose and straddled on the hearth-rug, with his back to the fire and