This was done, and
what happened after the mummy left the tramp steamer was known to
everyone, through the medium of the press.
"With which," grumbled the Professor, "I do not agree."
"What do you mean by that?" asked the Coroner sharply.
"I mean, sir," snapped Braddock, equally sharply, "that the
publicity given by the newspapers to these details will probably
place the assassin on his guard."
"Why not on her guard?" persisted the Coroner wilfully.
"Rubbish! rubbish! rubbish! My mummy wasn't stolen by a woman.
What the devil would a woman want with my mummy?"
"Be more respectful, Professor."
"Then talk sense, doctor," and the two glared at one another.
After a moment or two the situation was adjusted in silence, and
the Coroner asked a few questions, pertinent to the matter in
hand.
"Had the deceased any enemies?"
"No, sir, he hadn't, not being famous enough, or rich enough, or
clever enough to excite the hatred of mankind. He was simply an
intelligent young man, who worked excellently when supervised by
me. His mother is a washerwoman in this village, and the lad
brought washing to my house. Noting that he was intelligent and
was anxious to rise above his station, I engaged him as my
assistant and trained him to do my work.
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