"What is it?" asked Sir Frank curiously.
Don Pedro restored the manuscript to his pocket.
"It is an account of the embalming of Inca Caxas, written by his
son, who was my ancestor."
"Then you are descended from this Inca?" said Mrs. Jasher
eagerly.
"I am. Had I my rights I should rule Peru. As it is, I am a
poor gentleman with very little money. That," added Don Pedro
with emphasis, "is why I wish to recover the mummy of my great
ancestor."
"Is it then so valuable?" asked Archie suddenly. He was thinking
of some reason why the mummy should have been stolen.
"Well, in itself it is of no great value, save to an
archaeologist," was Don Pedro's reply; "but I had better tell
you the story of how it was stolen from my father."
"Go on, go on," cried Mrs. Jasher. "This is most interesting."
Don Pedro plunged into his story without further preamble.
"Inca Caxas held his state amidst the solitudes of the Andes,
away from the cruel men who had conquered his country. He died
and was buried. This manuscript,"--he touched his pocket--"was
written by his son, and details the ceremonies, the place of
sepulchre, and also gives a list of the jewels with which the
mummy was buried.
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