"
"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."
The Englishman and the Peruvian glared at one another, and
Cockatoo, who was crouching on the floor, glanced from one angry
face to another.
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