"No. He has only visited me in the mess. And even if Don Pedro
did come in here--for I guess what is in your mind--I really do
not see why he should slip a manuscript which he values highly
amongst my books."
"Then you really never saw this before?" said Braddock,
indicating the paper on the table, and impressed by Random's
earnestness.
"How often do you want me to deny it?" retorted the young man
impatiently. "Perhaps you will state on what grounds I am
accused?"
Braddock nodded and cleared his throat.
"Captain Hervey declared that your yacht arrived at Pierside
almost at the same time as his steamer."
"Quite right. When Don Pedro received a wire from Malta stating
that the mummy had been sold to you, and that it was being
shipped to London on The Diver, I got up steam at once, and
chased the tramp to that port. As the tramp was slow, and my
boat was fast, I arrived on the same day and almost at the same
hour, even though Hervey's boat had the start of mine."
"Why were you anxious to follow The Diver?" asked Hope.
"Don Pedro wished to get back the mummy, and asked me to follow.
As I was in love with Donna Inez, and still am, I was only too
willing to oblige him."
Braddock nodded again.
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