But that was carrying correctness of procedure to the verge of pedantry." "It was, with a vengeance," I agreed.

"But to return to the case of John Bellingham.

Supposing that after the Court has decided that he is dead he should turn up alive?
What then ?" "Ah! It would then be his turn to make an application, and the Court, having fresh evidence laid before it, would probably decide that he was alive." "And meantime his property would have been dispersed ?" "Probably.

But you will observe that the presumption of death would have arisen out of his own proceedings.

If a man acts in such a way as to create a belief that he is dead, he must put up with the consequences." "Yes, that is reasonable enough," said I.And then, after a pause, I asked: "Is there any immediate likelihood of proceedings of the kind being commenced ?" "I understood from what you said just now that Mr.Hurst was contemplating some action of the kind.