After that it had
vanished until it had re-appeared in this arbor. But if taken by
water once, it could have been taken by water again. There was a
rude jetty behind the embankment, which Hope could easily see
from where he stood. In all probability the mummy had been
landed there and carried to the garden, while Mrs. Jasher was
busy with her supper and her game of cards and her letters.
Also, the path from the shore to the house was very lonely, and
if any care had been exercised, which was probable, no one from
the Fort road or from the village street could have seen the
stealthy conspirators bringing their weird burden. So far Hope
felt that he could argue excellently. But who had brought the
mummy to the garden and why had it been brought there? These
questions he could not answer so easily, and indeed not at all.
While thus meditating, he heard, far away in the frosty air, a
puffing and blowing and panting like an impatient motor-car.
Before he could guess what this was, Braddock appeared, simply
racing along the marshy causeway, followed closely by Cockatoo,
and at some distance away by Lucy. The little scientist rushed
through the gate, which he flung open with a noise fit to wake
the dead, and lunged forward, to fall with outstretched arms upon
the green case.
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