That is
the whole story."
Don Pedro nodded gravely.
"Was there a Latin manuscript delivered along with the mummy?" he
asked.
Braddock's eyes opened widely.
"No, sir. The mummy came thirty years ago from Lima to Paris.
It passed twenty years back into the possession of the Maltese
collector, and his son sold it to me a few months ago. I never
heard of any manuscript."
"Then Mr. Hope did not repeat to you what I told him the other
night?"
The Professor sat down and his mouth grew obstinate.
"Mr. Hope related some story you told him and others about this
mummy having been stolen from you."
"From my father," corrected the unsmiling Peruvian; keeping a
careful eye on his host; "that is really the case. Inca Caxas
is, or was, my ancestor, and this manuscript"--Don Pedro
produced the same from his inner pocket--"details the funeral
ceremonies."
"Very interesting; most interesting," fussed Braddock, stretching
out his hand. "May I see it?"
"You read Latin," observed Don Pedro, surrendering the
manuscript.
Braddock raised his eyebrows.
"Of course," he said simply, "every well-educated man reads
Latin, or should do so. Wait, sir, until I glance through this
document.
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