Похититель трупов

           Unpreparedforachallengesomomentous,heknewnothowtolookhiscomradeintheface. Hedurstnotmeethiseye,andhehadneitherwordsnorvoiceathiscommand. 

           ItwasMacfarlanehimselfwhomadethefirstadvance. Hecameupquietlybehindandlaidhishandgentlybutfirmlyontheother’sshoulder. 

           ‘Richardson,’saidhe,‘mayhavethehead.’ 

           NowRichardsonwasastudentwhohadlongbeenanxiousforthatportionofthehumansubjecttodissect. Therewasnoanswer,andthemurdererresumed: ‘Talkingofbusiness,youmustpayme;youraccounts,yousee,musttally.’ 

           Fettesfoundavoice,theghostofhisown: ‘Payyou!’hecried.‘Payyouforthat?’ 

           ‘Why,yes,ofcourseyoumust. Byallmeansandoneverypossibleaccount,youmust,’returnedtheother. ‘Idarenotgiveitfornothing,youdarenottakeitfornothing; itwouldcompromiseusboth. ThisisanothercaselikeJaneGalbraith’s. Themorethingsarewrongthemorewemustactasifallwereright. WheredoesoldK—keephismoney?’ 

           ‘There,’answeredFetteshoarsely,pointingtoacupboardinthecorner. 

           ‘Givemethekey,then,’saidtheother,calmly,holdingouthishand. 

           Therewasaninstant’shesitation,andthediewascast.