THE MAN OF TWO LIVES. 341 



*' Well, I think the worst is over now," resumed Singe, address- 

 ing- his wife, who now returned to the room, " and so let us have a 

 little bit of supper, and afterwards I'll get ready my wooden proxy % . 

 I think the wig-block and stand, with my oldest night-cap, and 

 dressed in the cast-off pepper and salt the whole to be covered with 

 the calico bed-gown will serve the purpose very well. What think 

 you, my dear?" 



An assent being given to this ingenious proposition, the barber sat 

 down, to his supper in high spirits, expatiating upon the brilliant 

 prospects that awaited them in the metropolis, gradually enlarging 

 the " Easy Shaving Shop'' to an immense and almost boundless hair- 

 dressing establishment, and multiplying the one little boy whom he 

 designed for lathering and subordinate purposes into a series of 

 youthful but full-grown artists, armed with all appliances of scissors 

 and combs, and ready to fall like harpies upon the scalps of multitu- 

 dinous customers, all struggling in generous rivalry for admittance 

 into his two wide swing doors. 



Fired by this exciting vision, the barber started up, and, laying 

 hands upon the wig-block, was proceeding to clothe the lifeless sub- 

 stitute, when a double knock at the door caused him to retreat, panic- 

 stricken, into the bed-room. 



" Here's Slash come again I know it is," he exclaimed queru- 

 lously, as he turned discontentedly into the couch. " Don't let him 

 come tip-stairs if you can help it. What a pity it is they won't let a 

 poor man die in peace !" 



Untoward circumstance, as it well might be considered, the doctor, 

 in spite of Singe's express wishes to the contrary, was coming up- 

 stairs, and, making his way to the window, silently beckoned the wi- 

 dow to approach him. 



" Since I left you/' began Slash solemnly, " I have communicated 

 to Mr.Uppercrust, and two gentlemen of the corporation, the demise 

 of your truly worthy husband, and have detailed to them the very 

 peculiar appearances the body presents." Here he drew out a smell- 

 ing-bottle, containing a spirit of anti-infectious virtues, which he 

 sniffed at vigorously. " Now, Mrs. Singe," he continued, with af- 

 fectionate earnestness, " I know you are a woman of too much firm- 

 ness, too much above the vulgar prejudices of the ignorant, to be 

 startled by what I am going to propose. These gentlemen concur 

 with me in the opinion that, to further the interests of science, it will 

 be expedient, nay, indispensable, that the body should be opened." 



So saying, the doctor inspired another exhalation from his phial, 

 and, folding back the cuffs of his coat, drew from his pocket a prodi- 

 gious case of surgical instruments. 



Rising slowly, supported on one elbow, the barber caused his head 

 to ascend from the bedclothes, with a pair of eyes enlarged to the di- 

 mensions of spectacles, and a face that formed itself rapidly into new 

 and horrible combinations of terror. " No, no, no," was the tenour of 

 rigid grins that forced his mouth asunder, as with intent gaze at his 

 wife he silently sank back upon his pillow. 



"Compose yourself, my dear woman," cried Slash, who, during 

 this scene, had been examining his deadly scalpels. " This little matter 



M.M. No. 4. 2 C 



