I carried out the process on the evening of the third day; and when I locked up the house that night, I had the satisfaction of knowing that poor John's remains were secure from corruption and decay.
"But this was not enough.

The great weight of a fresh body as compared with that of a mummy would be immediately noticed by those who had the handling of the mummy-case.

Moreover, the damp from the body would quickly ruin the cartonnage and would cause a steamy film on the inside of the glass case in which it would be exhibited.

And this would probably lead to an examination.

Clearly, then, it was necessary that the remains of the deceased should be thoroughly dried before they were enclosed in the cartonnage.
"Here my unfortunate deficiency in scientific knowledge was a great drawback.