“I don't see what his arrival has to do with me,” said Lucy tartly. “Oh, nothing at all--nothing at all,” said Braddock airily, “only I thought--that is, but never mind, never mind. Cockatoo, come down with me. Good night! Good night!” and he disappeared. “Well,” said Mrs. Jasher, drawing along breath, “for rudeness and selfishness, commend me to a scientist. We might be all mud, for what notice he takes of us.” “Never mind,” said Miss Kendal, rising, “come to the drawing-room and have some music. Archie, will you stop here?” “No. I don't care to sit over my wine alone,” said that young gentleman, rising. “I shall accompany you and Mrs. Jasher. And Lucy,” he stopped her at the door, through which the widow had already passed, “what did your father mean by his hints concerning Random?” “I think he regrets giving his consent to my marriage with you,” she whispered back. “Did you not hear him talk about that tomb? He desires to get money for the expedition.” “From Random? What rubbish! Sooner than that--if our marriage is stopped by the beastly business--I'll sell out and--” “You'll do nothing of the sort,” interrupted the girl imperiously; “we must live if we marry. You have given my father enough.” “But if Random lends money for this expedition?” “He does so at his own risk. I am not going to marry Sir Frank because of my step-father's requirements. He has no rights over me, and, whether he consents or not, I marry you.” “My darling!” and Archie kissed her before they followed Mrs. Jasher into the drawing-room. All the same, he foresaw trouble. CHAPTER IV. THE UNEXPECTED For the next two or three days, Archie felt decidedly, worried over his projected marriage with Lucy. Certainly he had--to put it bluntly--purchased Braddock's consent, and that gentleman could scarcely draw back from his plighted word, which had cost the lover so much. Nevertheless, Hope did not entirely, trust the Professor, as, from the few words which he had let drop at the dinner party, it was plain that he hankered after money with which to fit out the expedition in search of the mysterious tomb to which he had alluded. Archie knew, as did the Professor, that he could not supply the necessary five thousand pounds without practically ruining himself, and already he had crippled his resources in paying over the price of the green mummy. He had fondly believed that Braddock would have been satisfied with the relic of Peruvian humanity; but it seemed that the Professor, having got what he wanted, now clamored for what was at present beyond his reach. The mummy was his property, but he desired the contents of Queen Tahoser's tomb also. This particular moon, which he cried for, was a very expensive article, and Hope did not see how he could gain it.