Похититель трупов

           Eachman,beforeweparted,hadhistheorythathewasboundtoprove; andnoneofushadanynearerbusinessinthisworldthantotrackoutthepastofourcondemnedcompanion,andsurprisethesecretthathesharedwiththegreatLondondoctor. Itisnogreatboast,butIbelieveIwasabetterhandatwormingoutastorythaneitherofmyfellowsattheGeorge; andperhapsthereisnownoothermanalivewhocouldnarratetoyouthefollowingfoulandunnaturalevents. 

           InhisyoungdaysFettesstudiedmedicineintheschoolsofEdinburgh. Hehadtalentofakind,thetalentthatpicksupswiftlywhatithearsandreadilyretailsitforitsown. Heworkedlittleathome;buthewascivil,attentive,andintelligentinthepresenceofhismasters. Theysoonpickedhimoutasaladwholistenedcloselyandrememberedwell; nay,strangeasitseemedtomewhenIfirstheardit,hewasinthosedayswellfavoured,andpleasedbyhisexterior. Therewas,atthatperiod,acertainextramuralteacherofanatomy,whomIshallheredesignatebytheletterK. Hisnamewassubsequentlytoowellknown. ThemanwhoboreitskulkedthroughthestreetsofEdinburghindisguise,whilethemobthatapplaudedattheexecutionofBurkecalledloudlyforthebloodofhisemployer. ButMr.K—wasthenatthetopofhisvogue;heenjoyedapopularityduepartlytohisowntalentandaddress,partlytotheincapacityofhisrival,theuniversityprofessor.