"This mummy is in possession of a man at Malta, and Professor
Braddock, hearing that it was for sale for one thousand pounds--"

"Oh!" interrupted the girl vivaciously, "so this was why father
sent Sidney Bolton away six weeks ago?"

"Yes. As you know, Bolton is your step-father's assistant, and
is as crazy as the Professor on the subject of Egypt. I asked
the Professor if he would allow me to marry you--"

"Quite unnecessary," interpolated Lucy briskly.

Archie passed over the remark to evade an argument.

"When I asked him, he said that he wished you to marry Random,
who is rich. I pointed out that you loved me and not Random, and
that Random was on a yachting cruise, while I was on the spot.
He then said that he could not wait for the return of Random, and
would give me a chance."

"What did he mean by that?"

"Well, it seems that he was in a hurry to get this Green Mummy
from Malta, as he feared lest some other person should snap it
up. This was two months ago, remember, and Professor Braddock
wanted the cash at once. Had Random been here he could have
supplied it, but as Random was away he told me that if I handed
over one thousand pounds to purchase the mummy, that he would
permit our engagement now, and our marriage in six months. I saw