have a post-mortem?'

'Certainly not. In the first place there was no need, as the cause of
death was perfectly clear, and secondly you must know as well as I do
that the relatives are very averse to anything of the sort. You gentlemen
in Harley Street don't understand the conditions of private practice. We
haven't the time to do post-mortems to gratify a needless curiosity.'

Arthur was silent for a moment. The little man was evidently convinced
that there was nothing odd about Margaret's death, but his foolishness
was as great as his obstinacy. It was clear that several motives would
induce him to put every obstacle in Arthur's way, and chief of these
was the harm it would do him if it were discovered that he had given a
certificate of death carelessly. He would naturally do anything to avoid
social scandal. Still Arthur was obliged to speak.

'I think I'd better tell you frankly that I'm not satisfied, Dr
Richardson. I can't persuade myself that this lady's death was due
to natural causes.'

'Stuff and nonsense!' cried the other angrily. 'I've been in practice for
hard upon thirty-five years, and I'm willing to stake my professional
reputation on it.'

'I have reason to think you are mistaken.'

'And to what do you ascribe death, pray?' asked the doctor.

'I don't know yet.'

'Upon my soul, I think you must be out of your senses. Really, sir, your
behaviour is childish. You tell me that you are a surgeon of some
eminence ...'

'I surely told you nothing of the sort.'

'Anyhow, you read papers before learned bodies and have them printed.
And you come with as silly a story as a Staffordshire peasant who thinks
someone has been trying to poison him because he's got a stomach-ache.
You may be a very admirable surgeon, but I venture to think I am more
capable than you of judging in a case which I attended and you know
nothing about.'

'I mean to take the steps necessary to get an order for exhumation, Dr
Richardson, and I cannot help thinking it will be worth your while to
assist me in every possible way.'

'I shall do nothing of the kind. I think you very impertinent, sir. There
is no need for exhumation, and I shall do everything in my power to
prevent it. And I tell you as chairman of the board of magistrates, my
opinion will have as great value as any specialist's in Harley Street.'

He flounced to the door and held it open. Susie and Dr Porhoet walked
out; and Arthur, looking down thoughtfully, follow