Barham, who seemed to read the detective’s mind, said, “You may depend on Louis’s story. He is absolutely reliable.”
There was a silence. Andrew Barham was thinking deeply.
At last he said, “What must be the procedure? I am at a loss to know what I am to do.”
For the first time Rodman Jarvis spoke.
“It is a most unusual case—we all see that. But, speaking as a lawyer, I want to ask you. Doctor Babcock, as Medical Examiner, if you can’t waive certain technical considerations and let Mr. Barham remove his wife’s body to-night—if he wishes to do so.”
Barham gave the young man a grateful look.
“That is just what I do want,” he said, “but not unless it is a proper and legal proceeding. I am shocked and horrified enough as it is, without leaving her here any longer than is absolutely necessary. If she could be taken to the Funeral Director’s—or to my home—yet, stay, Mr. Dickson, nothing—no consideration of my feelings or anything else, shall be done that will put a straw in the way of finding the murderer. That must and shall be done!”
His voice almost rang out in this decision, and Hutchins reassured him quickly.
“No, Mr. Barham, that won’t matter, that way. It’s only that it’s a bit hasty to turn over the body to the relatives before a step has been taken to solve the mystery. Yet, it can be of no help to retain the body. The doctor’s reports are full and complete, and there is little or no evidence to be learned from the body itself. If necessary to see it again that can be done at the undertaker’s—better there than at your home. And if an autopsy is held”
Hutchins checked himself. He was expert in trying to
