The face was invisible and
covered with a mask of dull beaten gold. Formerly the eyes had
been jeweled, but these last were now absent. He pointed out the
mask to the Professor, who was hovering over the weird dead with
a large magnifying-glass.
"It is strange," said Hope earnestly, "that the mask of gold was
not stolen also, since it is so valuable."
"Unless melted down, the mask could be traced," said Braddock
after a pause. "The jewels, according to Don Pedro, are of
immense value, and so could have been got rid of easily. Random
was satisfied with those."
"Don't talk of him in that way, as though his guilt was certain,"
said Hope, wincing.
"Well, you must admit that the evidence against him is strong."
"But purely circumstantial."
"Circumstantial evidence has hanged many an innocent man before
now. Humph!" said Braddock uneasily, "I hope it won't hang our
friend. However, we shall hear what he has to say. I have sent
Cockatoo to the Fort to bring him here at once. If Random is
absent, Cockatoo is to leave a note in his room, on the
writing-table."
"Would it not have been better to have told Cockatoo to give the
note to Random's servant?"
"I think not," responded Braddock dryly.
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