“The sole jewels buried are two large emeralds which the mummy holds in its hands,” explained Don Pedro, restoring the manuscript to his pocket, “and I wish for them so that I may get money to restore the fortunes of my family.” “No! no! no!” said Braddock forcibly. “I have bought the mummy and the jewels with it. They will sell to supply me with money to fit out my expedition to the tomb of Queen Tahoser.” “I shall dispute your claim,” cried De Gayangos, losing his calmness. Braddock waved his hand with supreme content. “I can give you the address of my lawyers,” he retorted; “any steps you choose to take will only result in loss, and from what you hint I should not think that you had much money to spend on litigation.” Don Pedro bit his lip, and saw that it was indeed a more difficult task than he had anticipated to make Braddock yield up his prize. “If you were in Lima,” he muttered, speaking Spanish in his excitement, “you would then learn that I speak truly.” “I do not doubt your truth,” answered the Professor in the same language. De Gayangos wheeled and faced his host, much surprised. “You speak my tongue, senor?” he demanded. Braddock nodded. “I have been in Spain, and I have been in Peru,” he answered dryly, “therefore I know classical Spanish and its colonial dialects. As to being in Lima, I was there, and I do not wish to go there again, as I had quite enough of those uncivilized parts thirty years ago, when the country was much disturbed after your civil war.” “You were in Lima thirty years ago,” echoed Don Pedro; “then you were there when Vasa stole this mummy.” “I don't know who stole it, or even if it was stolen,” said the Professor obstinately, “and I don't know the name of Vasa. Ah! now I remember. Young Hope did say something about the Swedish sailor who you said stole the mummy.” “Vasa did, and brought it to Europe to sell--probably to that man in Paris, who afterwards sold it to your Malteses collector.” “No doubt,” rejoined Braddock calmly; “but what has all this to do with me, Don Pedro?” “I want my mummy,” raged the other, and looked dangerous. “Then you won't get it,” retorted Braddock, adopting a pugnacious attitude and quite composed. “This mummy has caused one death, Don Pedro, and from your looks I should think you would like it to cause another.” “Will you not be honest?” “I'll knock your head off if you bring my honesty into question,” cried the Professor, standing on tip-toe like a bantam. “The best thing to do will be to take the matter into court. Then the law can decide, and I have little doubt but what it will decide in my favor.”