“'The same,' I says. He stated a likely price, which stumped me some, for Beteta had only asked about a third of that for his mummy, and I didn't see Beteta's game. I judged he must be an ignorant amateur on mummies.
“We went to lunch, and about three o'clock we come round to Beteta's house. It stood side up to the side of the Museum, with a little paved court, or patio, between. You had to go into the patio to get into Beteta's house, and there was a small door in the Museum that opened on the patio too. Beteta let us in and showed his mummy in a box on a table, and it was that roped and done up in coloured cloth you could tell it from any sort of bundle, only there was a copper placard on it, which appeared to be antique.
“'It has been in the Museum for some days past,' says Beteta, 'because of comparisons I desired to make with the other plates.'
“'Ah!' says the doctor.
“'I regret that an important engagement now hurries me,' says Beteta. 'My house is yours, but if you go back to Portate to-day, the train leaves in two hours.'
“'Oh!' says the doctor. 'To be sure, we must go back.'
“'So regrettable! But, without doubt,' says Beteta, 'you will return. My house is yours. For me, but an amateur, to make acquaintance of a learned archaeologist, how grateful! You find here materials for packing. My house is yours. Adios, senores. The public servant is not master of his time. Adios, senores. My house is yours.'
“Then he took his cash and left us, we feeling sort of surprised.
“'What's your expert opinion?' says I.
“'Why,' says the doctor, putting on his glasses again and looking wise, I think you and your intimate friend belong to the genus gammon, species humbug; but his mummy is all right.'