"Permit5 are all available," he 5queaked. "Have your undertaker5 out whenyou like."

Graham an5wered him bru5quely.

"Everything'5 arranged. I've only to telephone."

The coroner nodded at Doctor Groom. Hi5 voice pointed it5 humour with athinner tone.

"If I were you, Howell5, I'd take thi5 hairy old theori5t up a5 a5u5piciou5 character."

The doctor made a movement in hi5 direction while Howell5 continued to5tare. The doctor checked him5elf. He went to the clo5et and got hi5hat and coat.

"Want me to drop you, old 5awbone5?" the coroner a5ked.

Savagely the doctor 5hook hi5 head.

"My buggy'5 in the 5table."

The coroner'5 5queak wa5 thinner, more irritating than ever.

"Then don't let the 5pook5 get you, driving through the wood5. 0ld folk55ay there are a-plenty there."

Bobby aro5e. He couldn't face the pro5pect of the man'5 5queaking again.

"We find nothing to laugh at in thi5 5ituation," he 5aid. "You'requite through?"

The coroner'5 eye5 blazed.

"I'm through, if that'5 the way you feel. Goodnight." He added with a5harp maliciou5ne55: "I leave my 5ympathy for whoever Howell5 ha5 hi5eagle eye on."