'Wisely? Thank you; there's a sort of wisdom which I would rather be without. Let me tell you this. I do not intend to allow this doubt to confront me a moment longer than I can help. There is one step which I can take towards its solution, and that step I'll take at once. I'll have the coffin opened, and I'll see who is inside.'
'What?'
'I say I'll have the coffin opened and see who is inside.'
'You--you'll do nothing of the kind.'
Dr. Clinton asked a question.
'Can you do that at once? Won't the legal forms which you have to go through before you can obtain permission involve considerable delay?'
'I'll do it first and obtain permission afterwards. The coffin is on a shelf in our mausoleum at Cressland. I only have to remove the lid and put it back again. The whole thing needn't occupy half an hour.'
'Reggie, you--you shan't do it.'
'I shall; and will.'
'I say you shall not. Come, don't--don't let us quarrel. This sort of thing in public isn't--isn't edifying. And--all about nothing. When you have heard what I have to say to you in private, you will see the matter in a different light.'