The Three Investigators - 03 - by The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy-us

Author:The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy-us [Mummy-us, The Mystery of the Whispering]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

54

Startling Discoveries

The professor hastened to the spot where the case had stood. A few slight scratches on the floor were all that remained now. And a crumpled blue bandana handkerchief, which Jupiter pounced on, was on the floor behind a display case.

“Someone has stolen Ra-Orkon!” the professor said incredulously. “Those scratches show where the case was moved. But who would want to steal an ancient Egyptian mummy? It surely has no commercial value.”

Then he frowned. “That rug merchant, Achmed Something-or-other,” he cried. “He wanted Ra-Orkon! He’s the one who did this! I’ll have the police on him. Only —” He hesitated and looked about him. “If I call in the police I’ll have to tell them about the mummy’s whispering. It will be in all the papers.

I’ll be a laughing-stock. I don’t think I can afford to call in the police.”

He bit his lip, looking unhappy and distracted.

“What shall I do?” he asked. “My scientific reputation is worth more to me than the mummy.”

Bob had no suggestion. Jupiter displayed the blue bandana.

“It must have taken at least two men to carry off the case and Ra-Orkon, sir,” he said. “So this Achmed, if he had a hand in it, couldn’t have done it alone. Bandanas like this are usually carried by workmen. It may be a clue.

Perhaps a confederate dropped it. Or it is possible that this Mr. Achmed is innocent and someone else stole Ra-Orkon.”

The professor passed his hand across his forehead.

“It’s all so confusing,” he said. “First the mummy whispers to me — then it vanishes. I really don’t know —” He paused. “Wilkins! We have forgotten all about Wilkins. He was here. I wonder if the scoundrels have harmed him.

We must find him.”

“You don’t suppose he’s working with them, do you?” Bob asked. He had read many mysteries in which the butler had turned out to be the criminal.

“Of course not. Wilkins has been with me for ten years! Come help me find him!”

The small white-haired man dashed out on the terrace. His eye caught the sword on the tiles. He picked it up.

“From my collection!” he said. “Wilkins must have seized it to defend himself. They’ve abducted him too. Now we must call the police, I’m afraid.”

He was about to turn back into the house when a slight groan reached his ears. It came from behind some bushes just beyond the terrace. Jupiter heard it, too, and he was the first one there.

“It’s Wilkins!” he said.

They found Wilkins lying on the grass, his hands crossed upon his chest, hidden behind some shrubs — which was the reason Pete and Hamid had not seen him earlier.

“He was placed here, he didn’t fall,” the professor said, bending over the butler. “I believe he is about to regain consciousness.” He raised his voice.

“Wilkins! Can you hear me?”

Wilkins’s eyelids quivered, then were still again.

“Look!” Bob exclaimed, catching sight of a small animal in the shadows.

“It’s a cat!”

“Here, kitty!” He held out his hand. “Here, kitty!”

The cat, which was licking itself, rose and strolled towards him.

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