And again, sir,
even if you succeed in proving your ownership, I am not inclined
to restore the mummy to you for nothing."
"But it is stolen property you are keeping from me."
"I know nothing about that: I have only your bare word that it is
so, Don Pedro. All I know is that I paid nine hundred pounds for
the mummy and that it cost the best part of another hundred to
bring it to England. What I have, I keep."
"Like your country," said the Peruvian sarcastically.
"Precisely," replied the Professor suavely. "Every Englishman has
a bull-dog tenacity of purpose. Brag is a good dog, Don Pedro,
but Holdfast is a better one."
"Then I understand," said the Peruvian, stretching out his hand
to pick up the fallen manuscript, "that you will keep the mummy."
"Certainly," said Braddock coolly, "since I have paid for it.
Also, I shall keep the jewels, which the manuscript tells me--
from the glance I obtained of it--were buried with it."
"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.
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