He was called an empiricist
for his pains; and Mrs. Robinson (who hated a dispute and invariably
melted at any allusion to the tutor's _res angusta domi_) weakly gave
way. The mushrooms were cooked and pronounced excellent by the
entire family, of whom Mrs. Robinson expired at 8.30 that evening,
the tutor at 9 o'clock, the faithful domestic Wilkins and Master
Eustace shortly after midnight, and an Alsatian cook, attached to the
establishment, some time in the small hours. The poor child, who had
partaken but sparingly, lingered until the next noon before
succumbing."
"A strange fatality!" commented Mr. Badcock.
Mr. Fett paused, and eyed him awhile in frank admiration before
continuing.
"The wonder to me is you didn't call it a coincidence," he murmured.
"Well, and so it was," said Mr. Badcock, "only the word didn't occur
to me."
"The bodies," resumed Mr. Fett, "in accordance with the by-laws of
Montpellier, were conveyed to the town mortuary, and there bestowed
for the time in open coffins, connected by means of wire attachments
with a bell in the roof--a municipal device against premature
interment.
Pages:
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277