on. And my precious mummy--the mummy that has cost nine hundred
pounds," cried Braddock, working furiously, and battering the
chisel as though it were Bolton's head, "is left to be stolen by
any scientific thief that comes along." While the Professor,
assisted by Cockatoo, loosened the lid of the packing case, a
mild voice was heard at the door. Lucy turned, as did Archie, to
see Widow Anne curtseying on the threshold of the door.

Braddock himself took no notice of her entrance, being occupied
with his task, and even while doing it swore scientifically under
his breath. He was furious against Bolton for neglect of duty,
and Hope rather sympathized with him. It was a serious matter to
have left a valuable object like the green mummy to the rough
care of laborers.

"I beg your pardon, my lady," whimpered Widow Anne, who looked
more lean and rusty and dismal than ever; "but has my Sid come?
I saw the cart and the coffin. Where's my boy?"

"Coffin! coffin!" bellowed Braddock angrily between thunder
blows. "What do you mean by calling this case a coffin?"

"Well, it do hold one of them camphorated corps, sir," said Mrs.
Bolton with another curtsey. "My boy Sid told me as much, afore
he went to them furren parts."

"Have you seen him since he returned?" questioned Lucy, while
Braddock and Cockatoo strained at the lid, now nearly off.

"Why, I ain't set eyes on him," moaned the widow dismally, "and