tunes of my family. When
I go back with this and the green mummy, all those Indians who know
of my descent from the ancient Incas will be delighted and will pay me
fresh reverence."

"But you forget," said Random, frowning, "the green mummy has been taken
away by Professor Braddock."

"They cannot have gone far with it," said Donna Inez, shrugging.

"I don't know so much about that, dearest," said Sir Frank. "Apparently,
since they handled it at the time of the murder, it is easier carried
about than one would think. And then they fled last night, or rather in
the small hours of this morning, under cover of a dense fog."

"It is clear enough now," said De Gayangos, peering through the window,
where a pale winter sun shone in a clear steel-hued sky. "They are bound
to be caught in the long run."

"Do you wish them to be caught?" asked Random abruptly.

"Not the Professor. For Miss Lucy's sake I hope he will escape; but I
trust that the savage who killed these two unfortunate people will be
brought to the gallows."

"So do I," said Random. "Well, Don Pedro, it seems to me that your task
in Gartley is ended. All you have to do is to wait for the inquest and
see Mrs. Jasher buried, poor soul! Then you can go to London and remain
there until after Christmas."

"But why should I remain in London?" asked the Peruvian, surprised.

Random glanced at Donna Inez, who blushed.

"You forget that you have given your consent to my marriage with--"

"Ah, yes," Don Pedro smiled gravely. "I return with the jewel to Lima,
but I leave my other jewel behind."

"Never mind," said the girl, kissing her father; "when Frank and I are
married we will come to Callao in his yacht."

"Our yacht," said Random, smiling.

"Our yacht," repeated Donna Inez. "And then you will see, father, that I
have become a real English lady."

"But don't entirely forget that you are a Peruvian," said Don Pedro
playfully.

"And a descendant of Inca Caxas," added Donna Inez. Then she flirted her
fan, which she was rarely without, and laughed in her English lover's
face. "Don't forget, senor, that you marry a princess."

"I marry the most charming girl in the world," he replied, catching her
in his arms, rather to the scandal of De Gayangos, who had stiff Spanish
notions regarding the etiquette of engaged couples.

"There is one thing you must do for me, senor," he said quietly, "before
we leave this most unhappy case of murder and theft for ever."