The mummy was his property, but he desired the contents of Queen Tahoser's tomb also.

This particular moon, which he cried for, was a very expensive article, and Hope did not see how he could gain it.
Unless--and here came in the cause of Archie's worry--unless the five thousand pounds was borrowed from Sir Frank Random, the Professor would have to content himself with the Maltese mummy.

But from what the young man had seen of Braddock's longing for the especial sepulchre, which he desired to loot, he believed that the scientist would not readily surrender his whim.

Random could easily lend or give the money, since he was extremely rich, and extremely generous, but it was improbable that he would aid Braddock without a quid pro quo.

As the sole desire of the baronet's heart was to make Lucy his wife, it could easily be guessed that he would only assist the Professor to realize his ambition on condition that the savant used his influence with his step-daughter.
That meant the breaking of the engagement with Hope and the marriage of the girl to the soldier.