Arthur took no notice of the outburst.

‘How many times did you see her?’

’Really, sir, I don’t understand your attitude.  I can’t see that you have any right to question me.’

‘Did you have a post-mortem?’

’Certainly not.  In the first place there was no need, as the cause of death was perfectly clear, and secondly you must know as well as I do that the relatives are very averse to anything of the sort.  You gentlemen in Harley Street don’t understand the conditions of private practice.  We haven’t the time to do post-mortems to gratify a needless curiosity.’

Arthur was silent for a moment.  The little man was evidently convinced that there was nothing odd about Margaret’s death, but his foolishness was as great as his obstinacy.  It was clear that several motives would induce him to put every obstacle in Arthur’s way, and chief of these was the harm it would do him if it were discovered that he had given a certificate of death carelessly.  He would naturally do anything to avoid social scandal.  Still Arthur was obliged to speak.

’I think I’d better tell you frankly that I’m not satisfied, Dr Richardson.  I can’t persuade myself that this lady’s death was due to natural causes.’

‘Stuff and nonsense!’ cried the other angrily.  ’I’ve been in practice for hard upon thirty-five years, and I’m willing to stake my professional reputation on it.’

‘I have reason to think you are mistaken.’

‘And to what do you ascribe death, pray?’ asked the doctor.

‘I don’t know yet.’

’Upon my soul, I think you must be out of your senses.  Really, sir, your behaviour is childish.  You tell me that you are a surgeon of some eminence ...’

‘I surely told you nothing of the sort.’

’Anyhow, you read papers before learned bodies and have them printed.  And you come with as silly a story as a Staffordshire peasant who thinks someone has been trying to poison him because he’s got a stomach-ache.  You may be a very admirable surgeon, but I venture to think I am more capable than you of judging in a case which I attended and you know nothing about.’

’I mean to take the steps necessary to get an order for exhumation, Dr Richardson, and I cannot help thinking it will be worth your while to assist me in every possible way.’

’I shall do nothing of the kind.  I think you very impertinent, sir.  There is no need for exhumation, and I shall do everything in my power to prevent it.  And I tell you as chairman of the board of magistrates, my opinion will have as great value as any specialist’s in Harley Street.’

He flounced to the door and held it open.  Susie and Dr Porhoet walked out; and Arthur, looking down thoughtfully, followed on their heels.  Dr Richardson slammed the street-door angrily.

Dr Porhoet slipped his arm in Arthur’s.

‘You must be reasonable, my friend,’ he said.  ’From his own point of view this doctor has all the rights on his side.  You have nothing to justify your demands.  It is monstrous to expect that for a vague suspicion you will be able to get an order for exhumation.’