“No, miss--that is, I dunno who Mr. Bolton is. The landlord of the Sailor's Rest told me and my mates to take the case to this here house, and we done it. That's all I know, miss.” “Strange,” murmured Lucy, walking to the front door. “What do you think, Archie? Isn't it strange?” Hope nodded. “But I daresay Bolton will explain his absence,” said he, following her. “He will arrive in time to open the mummy case along with the Professor.” “I hope so,” said Miss Kendal, who looked much perplexed. “I can't understand Sidney abandoning the case, when it might so easily have been stolen. Come in and see my father, Archie,” and she passed into the house, followed by the young man, whose curiosity was now aroused. As they entered the door, the two men who had taken in the case blundered out and shortly drove away on the lorry towards Jessum railway station. In the museum they found Braddock purple with rage and swearing vigorously. He was staring at a large packing case, which had been set up on end against the wall, while beside him crouched Cockatoo, holding chisels and hammers and wedges necessary to open the treasure trove. “So the precious mummy has arrived, father,” said Lucy, who saw that the Professor was furious. “Are you not pleased?” “Pleased! pleased!” shouted the angry man of science. “How can I be pleased when I see how badly the case has been treated? See how it has been bruised and battered and shaken! I'll have an action against Captain Hervey of The Diver if my mummy has been injured. Sidney should have taken better care of so precious an object.” “What does he say?” asked Archie, glancing round the museum to see if the delinquent had arrived. “Say!” shouted Braddock again, and snatching a chisel from Cockatoo. “Oh, what can he say when he is not here?” “Not here?” said Lucy, more and more surprised at the unaccountable absence of Braddock's assistant. “Where is he, then?” “I don't know. I wish I did; I'd have him arrested for neglecting to watch over this case. As it is, when he comes back I'll dismiss him from my employment. He can go back to his infernal laundry work along with his old witch of a mother.” “But why hasn't Bolton come back, sir?” asked Hope sharply. Braddock struck a furious blow at the head of the chisel which he had inserted into the case. “I want to know that. He brought the case to the Sailor's Rest, and should have come on with it this morning. Instead of doing so, he tells the landlord--a most unreliable man--to send it on. And my precious mummy--the mummy that has cost nine hundred pounds,” cried Braddock, working furiously, and battering the chisel as though it were Bolton's head, “is left to be stolen by any scientific thief that comes along.” While the Professor, assisted by Cockatoo, loosened the lid of the packing case, a mild voice was heard at the door. Lucy turned, as did Archie, to see Widow Anne curtseying on the threshold of the door.