Paul blew a cloud of smoke out of his nose and whistled. "'Pon my soul, this is a most mysterious affair. I have known many mysterious things in my life, but I have never come across anything so strange as this. And of course you felt it your duty to suspend operations?"
"Naturally I decided to await events."
"But tell me, doctor, what proofs have they that he is not dead?"
"Well, there have been no signs of post-mortem rigidity. If there had been any we must have noticed it, as one or the other of us has been at his side the whole time."
"How long has he been in that state?"
"Over forty-eight hours, and what is equally curious the body shows no signs of discoloration."
"Not even in the dependent parts?"
"Nowhere; not a sign. We have turned him over several times and his skin is quite white and clean."
Paul began to hum a tune. "Well, that is certainly most extraordinary. If he had been really dead both these signs must have appeared before now."
"That is true enough, but I confess I am rather in a difficulty what to do. The Parquet expects a detailed report of my medical investigation which must be handed in at once, as the law of France demands the burial of the deceased within three days."