"That is bad, I admit, but she has failed to get what she wanted, and,
after all, you indirectly are the cause of her writing that blackmailing
letter."
"I am?--I am? How dare you?"
"You see, she wanted to get five thousand out of me as her dowry."
"Yes, and told me lies about her damned brother who was a Pekin
merchant, when after all he never existed."
"Oh, I don't defend that," said Random coolly. "Mrs. Jasher has behaved
badly on the whole. Still, Professor, I think there is good in her, as
I said before. She evidently had bad parents and a bad husband; but, so
far as I can gather, she is not an immoral woman. The poor wretch only
came here to try and drag herself out of the mire. If she had married
you I feel sure that she would have made you a most excellent wife."
The Professor was in such a rage that he suddenly became calm.
"Of course you talk absolute rubbish," he said caustically. "Had I my
way this woman would be whipped at a cart's tail for the shameful way in
which she has deceived us all. However, I shall see her to-day and make
her confess who murdered Bolton."
"Don Pedro will be greatly obliged if you do. He wants those emeralds."
"So do I, and if I get them I shall keep them," snapped Braddock; "and
if you haven't anything more to say you can leave me. I'm busy."
As there was nothing more to be done with the choleric little man, Sir
Frank took the hint and departed. He went forthwith to the Warrior Inn
to see Don Pedro and also Donna Inez. But it so happened that the girl
had gone to the Pyramids on a visit to Miss Kendal, and Random was sorry
that he had missed her. However, it was just as well, as he could now
talk freely to De Gayangos. To him he related the whole story of Mrs.
Jasher, and discovered that the Peruvian also, as Braddock had done,
insisted that Mrs. Jasher knew the truth.
"She would not have written that letter if she did not know it," said
Don Pedro.
"Then you think that she should be arrested?"
"No. We can deal with this matter ourselves. At present she is quite
safe, as she certainly will not leave her cottage, seeing that she
thinks it is being watched. Let us permit Braddock to interview her,
and see what he can learn. Then we can discuss the matter and come to a
decision."
Random nodded absently.
"I wonder if Mrs. Jasher was the woman who talked to Bolton through the
window?" he remarked.
"It is not impossible. Although that does not explain why Bolton
borrowed a female disguise from this mother."