Greg perceived that the man was wholly under the influence of the handsome fee that had been paid him. He felt that he was wasting his time, but he tried one more appeal.
"But don't you see, sir, that in asking you to delay matters I could have no possible motive except to discover the truth, while the motives of those who wish to destroy the body so hastily are at least open to suspicion?"
"You should go to the police," was the cold reply. "That is what the police are for."
"I can't open a vulgar newspaper sensation until I am surer of my ground."
The undertaker rose. "Sorry I can do nothing for you."
Greg tried a new line. "Look here, when you have shipped this body, your interest in it is at an end, isn't it?"
The other shrugged expressively. "The ashes will be returned to me in due course. The order includes a handsome urn for their reception."
"A bit of stage-play," said Greg bitterly. "It will never be called for. If this body happened to come back here from another direction would you accept an order to embalm it?"
"That would hardly be ethical," was the smug reply. "Of course if the crematory cared to take the responsibility of departing from my order, you could take it to some other embalmer."
"Can you suggest anybody?" asked Greg slyly.