The face was invisible and covered with a mask of dull beaten gold.

Formerly the eyes had been jeweled, but these last were now absent.

He pointed out the mask to the Professor, who was hovering over the weird dead with a large magnifying-glass.
"It is strange," said Hope earnestly, "that the mask of gold was not stolen also, since it is so valuable." "Unless melted down, the mask could be traced," said Braddock after a pause.

"The jewels, according to Don Pedro, are of immense value, and so could have been got rid of easily.

Random was satisfied with those." "Don't talk of him in that way, as though his guilt was certain," said Hope, wincing.
"Well, you must admit that the evidence against him is strong." "But purely circumstantial." "Circumstantial evidence has hanged many an innocent man before now.
Humph!" said Braddock uneasily, "I hope it won't hang our friend.
However, we shall hear what he has to say.