"For one thing," said Hope after a pause, "Random did not know
where the emeralds were to be found, or even that they existed."
"I understood that he did know," said Braddock reluctantly. "In
my hearing, and in your own, you heard Don Pedro state that he
had related the story of the manuscript to Random."
"You forget that I learned about the emeralds at the same time,"
said Hope quietly. "Yet this Yankee skipper does not accuse me.
The knowledge of the emeralds came to Random's ears and to mine
long after the crime was committed. To have a motive for killing
Bolton and stealing the emeralds, Random would have had to know
when he arrived in England."
"And why should he have not known?" asked the Professor, biting
his lip vexedly. "I don't want to accuse Random, or even to
doubt him, as he is a very good fellow, even though he refused to
assist me with money when I desired a reward to be offered. All
the same, he met Don Pedro in Genoa, and it is just possible that
the man told him of the jewels buried with the mummy."
Archie shook his head.
"I doubt that," said he thoughtfully. "Random was as astonished
as the rest of us, when Don Pedro told his Arabian Night story.
However, the point can be easily settled by sending for Random.
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