"For the emeralds!" echoed the lady scornfully. "Sir Frank is
rich. He does not need to steal to have much money. He is a
gentleman, who does not murder, as you have done."
Hervey started to his feet, dismayed but defiant, and saw that he
was ringed with unfriendly faces.
"As I have done. Why, I am--"
Donna Inez interrupted.
"You are a murderer. I truly believe that you--yes, that you"
she pointed a scornful finger at him "killed this poor man who
was bringing the mummy to the Professor. If you were in my own
country, I should have you lashed like the dog you are. Pig of a
Yankee, vile scum of the--"
"That will do, Inez," said De Gayangos imperiously. "We wish to
make this gentleman tell the truth, and this is not the way to go
about the matter."
"Gentleman," echoed the angry Peruvian, "he is none. Truth!
There is no truth in him, the pig of pigs!" and then, her English
failing, she took refuge in Spanish, which is a fairly
comprehensive language for swearing in a polite way. The words
fairly poured from her mouth, and she looked as fierce as
Bellona, the goddess of war.
Archie, listening to her words and watching her beautiful face
distorted out of all loveliness, secretly congratulated himself
upon the fact that he was not her prospective bridegroom.
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