I then gave him a graphic account of the man I had seen in the garden.
"There is foul play somewhere," I said, in conclusion. "I have been dragged into this thing almost against my will, and now I am determined to see it through."
Mackenzie flung up his hands.
"I don't pretend to doubt your wisdom," he said; "but to ask me gravely to assist you to exhume the body of a man who died of consumption six months ago, is enough to take my breath away. What reason can you possibly give to the authorities for such an action?"
"That I have strong grounds for believing that the death never took place at all," I replied. "Now, will you co-operate with me in this matter, or not?"
"Oh, of course, I'll co-operate with you," he answered. "But I don't pretend to say that I like the business."
We walked together to his house, talking over the necessary steps which must be taken to get an order for exhumation. Mackenzie promised to telegraph to me as soon as ever this was obtained, and I was obliged to hurry off to attend to my own duties. As I was stepping into my hansom I turned to ask the doctor one more question.
"Have you any reason to suppose that Heathcote was heavily insured?" I asked.
"No, I don't know anything about it," he answered.
"You are quite sure there were no money troubles anywhere?"