You can tell the inspector, Davis, that I have checked this lot of bones and that they are all here." "Would you mind writing it down, sir ?" said the constable.

"Inspector Badger said I was to have everything in writing." The surgeon took out his pocket-book, and, while he was selecting a suitable piece of paper, he asked: "Did you form any opinion as to the height of the deceased ?" "Yes, I thought he would be about five feet eight" (here I caught the sergeant's eyes fixed on me with a knowing leer).
"I made it five eight and a half," said the police-surgeon; "but we shall know better when we have seen the lower leg-bones.

Where was this lot found, Davis ?" "In the pond just off the road in Lord's Bushes, sir, and the inspector has gone off now to--" "Never mind where he's gone," interrupted the sergeant.

"You just answer questions and attend to your business." The sergeant's reproof conveyed a hint to me on which I was not slow to act.

Friendly as my professional colleague was, it was clear that the police were disposed to treat me as an interloper who was to be kept out of the "know" as far as possible.