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Freeman, R. Austin (Richard Austin), 1862-1943

"The Vanishing Man"


But Mr. Pope, though seated, was not silenced. "I desire," said he, "to
have my protest put on record."
"I can't do that," said the coroner, "and I can't allow you to interrupt
the witnesses."
"I am acting," said Mr. Pope, "in the interests of my friend here and
the members of a honourable----"
But here the butcher turned on him savagely, and, in a hoarse
stage-whisper, exclaimed:
"Look here, Pope; you've got too much of what the cat licks--"
"Gentlemen! gentlemen!" the coroner protested, sternly; "I cannot permit
this unseemly conduct. You are forgetting the solemnity of the occasion
and your own responsible positions. I must insist on more decent and
decorous behaviour."
There was profound silence, in the midst of which the butcher concluded
in the same hoarse whisper:
"--licks 'er paws with."
The coroner cast a withering glance at him, and turning to the witness,
resumed the examination.
"Can you tell us, Doctor, how long a time has elapsed since the death of
the deceased?"
"I should say not less than eighteen months, but probably more.


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