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the mob that applauded at the execution of Burke called
loudly for the blood of his employer。 But Mr。 K… was then at
the top of his vogue； he enjoyed a popularity due partly to
his own talent and address； partly to the incapacity of his
rival； the university professor。 The students； at least；
swore by his name； and Fettes believed himself； and was
believed by others； to have laid the foundations of success
when he had acquired the favour of this meteorically famous
man。 Mr。 K… was a BON VIVANT as well as an accomplished
teacher； he liked a sly illusion no less than a careful
preparation。 In both capacities Fettes enjoyed and deserved
his notice； and by the second year of his attendance he held
the half…regular position of second demonstrator or sub…
assistant in his class。
In this capacity the charge of the theatre and lecture…room
devolved in particular upon his shoulders。 He had to answer
for the cleanliness of the premises and the conduct of the
other students； and it was a part of his duty to supply；
receive； and divide the various subjects。 It was with a view
to this last … at that time very delicate … affair that he
was lodged by Mr。 K… in the same wynd； and at last in the
same building； with the dissecting…rooms。 Here； after a
night of turbulent pleasures； his hand still tottering； his
sight still misty and confused； he would be called out of bed
in the black hours before the winter dawn by the unclean and
desperate interlopers who supplied the table。 He would open
the door to these men； since infamous throughout the land。
He would help them with their tragic burden； pay them their
sordid price； and remain alone； when they were gone； with the
unfriendly relics of humanity。 From such a scene he would
return to snatch another hour or two of slumber； to repair
the abuses of the night； and refresh himself for the labours
of the day。
Few lads could have been more insensible to the impressions
of a life thus passed among the ensigns of mortality。 His
mind was closed against all general considerations。 He was
incapable of interest in the fate and fortunes of another；
the slave of his own desires and low ambitions。 Cold； light；
and selfish in the last resort； he had that modicum of
prudence； miscalled morality； which keeps a man from
inconvenient drunkenness or punishable theft。 He coveted；
besides； a measure of consideration from his masters and his
fellow…pupils； and he had no desire to fail conspicuously in
the external parts of life。 Thus he made it his pleasure to
gain some distinction in his studies； and day after day
rendered unimpeachable eye…service to his employer； Mr。 K…。
For his day of work he indemnified himself by nights of
roaring； blackguardly enjoyment； and when that balance had
been struck； the organ that he called his conscience declared
itself content。
The supply of subjects was a continual trouble to him as well
as to his master。 In that large and busy class； the raw
material of the anatomists kept perpetually running out； and
the business thus rendered necessary was not only unpleasant
in itself； but threatened dangerous consequences to all who
were concerned。 It was the policy of Mr。 K… to ask no
questions in his dealings with the trade。 'They bring the
body； and we pay the price；' he used to say； dwelling on the
alliteration … 'QUID PRO QUO。' And； again； and somewhat
profanely； 'Ask no questions；' he would tell his assistants；
'for conscience' sake。' There was no understanding that the
subjects were provided by the crime of murder。 Had that idea
been broached to him in words； he would have recoiled in
horror； but the lightness of his speech upon so grave a
matter was； in itself； an offence against good manners； and a
temptation to the men with whom he dealt。 Fettes； for
instance； had often remarked to himself upon the singular
freshness of the bodies。 He had been struck again and again
by the hang…dog； abominable looks of the ruffians who came to
him before the dawn； and putting things together clearly in
his private thoughts； he perhaps attributed a meaning too
immoral and too categorical to the unguarded counsels of his
master。 He understood his duty； in short； to have three
branches： to take what was brought； to pay the price； and to
avert the eye from any evidence of crime。
One November morning this policy of silence was put sharply
to the test。 He had been awake all night with a racking
toothache … pacing his room like a caged beast or throwing
himself in fury on his bed … and had fallen at last into that
profound； uneasy slumber that so often follows on a night of
pain； when he was awakened by the third or fourth angry
repetition of the concerted signal。 There was a thin； bright
moonshine； it was bitter cold； windy； and frosty； the town
had not yet awakened； but an indefinable stir already
preluded the noise and business of the day。 The ghouls had
come later than usual； and they seemed more than usually
eager to be gone。 Fettes； sick with sleep； lighted them
upstairs。 He heard their grumbling Irish voices through a
dream； and as they stripped the sack from their sad
merchandise he leaned dozing； with his shoulder propped
against the wall； he had to shake himself to find the men
their money。 As he did so his eyes lighted on the dead face。
He started； he took two steps nearer； with the candle raised。
'God Almighty！' he cried。 'That is Jane Galbraith！'
The men answered nothing； but they shuffled nearer the door。
'I know her； I tell you；' he continued。 'She was alive and
hearty yesterday。 It's impossible she can be dead； it's
impossible you should have got this body fairly。'
'Sure； sir； you're mistaken entirely；' said one of the men。
But the other looked Fettes darkly in the eyes； and demanded
the money on the spot。
It was impossible to misconceive the threat or to exaggerate
the danger。 The lad's heart failed him。 He stammered some
excuses； counted out the sum； and saw his hateful visitors
depart。 No sooner were they gone than he hastened to confirm
his doubts。 By a dozen unquestionable marks he identified
the girl he had jested with the day before。 He saw； with
horror； marks upon her body that might well betoken violence。
A panic seized him； and he took refuge in his room。 There he
reflected at length over the discovery that he had made；
considered soberly the bearing of Mr。 K…'s instructions and
the danger to himself of interference in so serious a
business； and at last； in sore perplexity； determined to wait
for the advice of his immediate superior； the class
assistant。
This was a young doctor； Wolfe Macfarlane； a high favourite
among all the reckless students； clever； dissipated； and
unscrupulous to the last degree。 He had travelled and
studied abroad。 His manners were agreeable and a little
forward。 He was an authority on the stage； skilful on the
ice or the links with skate or golf…club； he dressed with
nice audacity； and； to put the finishing touch upon his
glory； he kept a gig and a strong trotting…horse。 With
Fettes he was on terms of intimacy； indeed； their relative
positions called for some community of life； and when
subjects were scarce the pair would drive far into the
country in Macfarlane's gig； visit and desecrate some lonely
graveyard； and return before dawn with their booty to the
door of the dissecting…room。
On that particular morning Macfarlane arrived somewhat
earlier than his wont。 Fettes heard him； and met him on the
stairs； told him his story； and showed him the cause of his
alarm。 Macfarlane examined the marks on her body。
'Yes；' he said with a nod； 'it looks fishy。'
'Well； what should I do？' asked Fettes。
'Do？' repeated the other。 'Do you want to do anything？
Least said soonest mended； I should say。'
'Some one else might recognise her；' objected Fettes。 'She
was as w