His first pronouncement, made as soon as he commenced his examination, was, under the circumstances, sufficiently startling.
‘I don’t believe the man’s dead. Why didn’t you send for me directly you found him?’
The question was put to Mrs Henderson.
‘Well, Dr Glossop, I wouldn’t touch ’im myself, and I wouldn’t ’ave ’im touched by no one else, because, as I’ve said afore, I know ’ow particular them pleesmen is.’
‘Then in that case, if he does die you’ll have had a hand in murdering him,—that’s all.’
The lady sniggered. ‘Of course Dr Glossop, we all knows that you’ll always ’ave your joke.’
‘You’ll find it a joke if you have to hang, as you ought to, you——’ The doctor said what he did say to himself, under his breath. I doubt if it was flattering to Mrs Henderson. ‘Have you got any brandy in the house?’
‘We’ve got everythink in the ’ouse for them as likes to pay for it,—everythink.’ Then, suddenly remembering that the police were present, and that hers were not exactly licensed premises, ‘Leastways we can send out for it for them parties as gives us the money, being, as is well known, always willing to oblige.’
‘Then send for some,—to the tap downstairs, if that’s the nearest! If this man dies before you’ve brought it I’ll have you locked up as sure as you’re a living woman.’
The arrival of the brandy was not long delayed,—but the man on the bed had regained consciousness before it came. Opening his eyes he looked up at the doctor bending over him.