No doubt you had your information from a reliable quarter." This answer Mr.Jellicoe delivered without moving a muscle, regarding me with the fixity of a spectacled figure-head.
I smiled feebly.

The operation of pumping Mr.Jellicoe was rather like the sport of boxing with a porcupine, being chiefly remarkable as a demonstration of the power of passive resistance.

I determined, however, to make one more effort, rather, I think, for the pleasure of witnessing his defensive manoeuvres than with the expectation of getting anything out of him.

I accordingly "opened out" on the subject of the "remains." "Have you been following these remarkable discoveries of human bones that have been appearing in the papers ?" I asked.
He looked at me stonily for some moments, and then replied: "Human bones are rather more within your province than mine, but, now that you mention it, I think I recall having read of some such discoveries.

They were disconnected bones, I believe ?" "Yes; evidently parts of a dismembered body." "So I should suppose.