He did not seem to
be surprised when he heard that the corpse of the head Inca had
been found in Mrs. Jasher's garden, especially when Braddock
explained the whereabouts of the property.
"Wal," he drawled, "that don't make my hair stand on end. I
guess the garden was on his way and he used it for a cemetery."
"What are you talking about?" demanded the perplexed scientist.
"About the man who strangled your help and yanked away the
corpse."
"But I don't know who he is. Nobody knows."
"Go slow. I do."
"You!" Braddock started and flung himself across the room to
seize Hervey by the lapels of his reefer coat. "You know. Tell
me who he is, so that I can get the emeralds."
"Emeralds!" Hervey removed Braddock's plump hands and stared
greedily.
"Don't you know? No, of course you don't. But two emeralds were
buried with the mummy, and they have been stolen."
"Who by?"
"No doubt by the assassin who murdered poor Sidney."
Hervey spat on the floor, and his weather-beaten face took on an
expression of, profound regret.
"I guess I'm a fool of the best."
"Why?" asked Braddock, again puzzled.
"To think," said Hervey, addressing the mummy, "that you were on
board my boat, and I never looted you.
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