“James was not in a fit state to meet the strain. The wife quarrelled with him after the operation, and refused to let him continue the case.”
“My dear, inferior females always quarrel!”
“And we have enemies.”
“So had the saints, and plenty.”
“It was Parker Steel—”
Porteus Carmagee sat up briskly in his chair, his wrinkled face twitching with intelligence.
“Now we are growing vital. Well, I can forecast that gentleman’s procedure.”
“Steel was called in, and the man died.”
“Most natural of mortals!”
“He performed a post-mortem with Dr. Brimley, of Cossington, at the widow’s request. As a result he has refused to give a death certificate and has written to the coroner. And Mrs. Baxter has instructed Cranston to institute an action against us for malpraxis and incompetence.”