“At first it only occurred to me as a fantastic possibility that I could conceal the body in the mummy-case.  But as I turned over the idea, I began to see that it was really practicable; and not only practicable but easy; and not only easy but eminently safe.  If once the mummy-case was in the Museum, I was rid of it for ever.

“The circumstances were, as you, sir, have justly observed, singularly favourable.  There would be no hue and cry, no hurry, no anxiety; but ample time for all the necessary preparations.  Then the mummy-case itself was curiously suitable.  Its length was ample, as I knew from having measured it.  It was a cartonnage of rather flexible material and had an opening behind, secured with a lacing so that it could be opened without injury.  Nothing need be cut but the lacing, which could be replaced.  A little damage might be done in extracting the mummy and in introducing the deceased; but such cracks as might occur would all be at the back and would be of no importance.  For here again Fortune favoured me.  The whole of the back of the mummy-case was coated with bitumen, and it would be easy when once the deceased was safely inside to apply a fresh coat, which would cover up not only the cracks but also the new lacing.

“After careful consideration, I decided to adopt the plan.  I went downstairs and sent the caretaker on an errand to the Law Courts.  Then I returned and carried the deceased up to one of the third-floor rooms, where I removed his clothes and laid him out on a long packing-case in the position in which he would lie in the mummy-case.  I folded his clothes neatly and packed them, with the exception of his boots, in a suit-case that he had been taking to Paris and which contained nothing but his night-clothes, toilet articles, and a change of linen.  By the time I had done this and thoroughly washed the oilcloth on the stairs and landing, the caretaker had returned.  I informed him that Mr. Bellingham had started for Paris and then I went home.  The upper part of the house was, of course, secured by the Chubb lock, but I had also—­ex abundantia cautelae—­locked the door of the room in which I had deposited the deceased.

“I had, of course, some knowledge of the methods of embalming, but principally of those employed by the ancients.  Hence, on the following day, I went to the British Museum library and consulted the most recent works on the subject; and exceedingly interesting they were, as showing the remarkable improvements that modern knowledge had effected in this ancient art.  I need not trouble you with details that are familiar to you.  The process that I selected as the simplest for a beginner was that of formalin injection, and I went straight from the Museum to purchase the necessary materials.  I did not, however, buy an embalming syringe:  the book stated that an ordinary anatomical injecting syringe would answer the purpose, and I thought it a more discreet purchase.