I shall examine the mummy further, and in a couple
of days Don Pedro can bring me a check for one thousand and
remove his ancestor."
"No! no!" cried the Peruvian hurriedly; "since the emeralds are
missing, I am not in a position to pay you one thousand English
pounds, sir. I want to take back the body of Inca Caxas to Lima;
as one must show respect to one's ancestors. But the fact is, I
cannot pay the money."
"You said that you could," shouted the exasperated Professor in
his bullying way.
"I admit it, senor, but I had hoped to do so when I sold the
emeralds, which--as you can see--are not available. Therefore
the body of my royal ancestor must remain here until I can
procure the money. And it may be that Sir Frank Random will help
me in this matter."
"He wouldn't help me," snapped Braddock, "so why should he help
you?"
Don Pedro, looking more dignified than ever, drew himself up to
his tall height.
"Sir Frank," he said, in a stately way, "has done me the honor
of seeking to be my son-in-law. As my daughter loves him, I am
willing to permit the marriage, but now that I have learned the
emeralds are lost, I shall not consent until Sir Frank buys the
mummy from you, Professor.
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