The Letter

"You--are a dog and a liar," said Donna Inez with great distinctness,
and speaking English excellently. "What you say against Sir Frank
is madness and foolish talk. In Genoa my father did not speak of the
manuscript, nor did I, who tell you this. How, then, could Sir Frank
kill this poor man, when he had no reason to slay him--"

"For the emeralds," faltered Hervey weakly.

"For the emeralds!" echoed the lady scornfully. "Sir Frank is rich. He
does not need to steal to have much money. He is a gentleman, who does
not murder, as you have done."

Hervey started to his feet, dismayed but defiant, and saw that he was
ringed with unfriendly faces.

"As I have done. Why, I am--"

Donna Inez interrupted.

"You are a murderer. I truly believe that you--yes, that you" she
pointed a scornful finger at him "killed this poor man who was bringing
the mummy to the Professor. If you were in my own country, I should have
you lashed like the dog you are. Pig of a Yankee, vile scum of the--"

"That will do, Inez," said De Gayangos imperiously. "We wish to make
this gentleman tell the truth, and this is not the way to go about the
matter."

"Gentleman," echoed the angry Peruvian, "he is none. Truth! There is no
truth in him, the pig of pigs!" and then, her English failing, she took
refuge in Spanish, which is a fairly comprehensive language for swearing
in a polite way. The words fairly poured from her mouth, and she looked
as fierce as Bellona, the goddess of war.