24 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. I- 
angles,” “prognathic jaws,” and that “peculiar 
whiteness of the osseous tissue ” upon which m)' 
favourite author had dilated, drove out of my head 
all the former broodings on immaterial beings 
which had so disturbed my first ascent of the tower. 
I particularly remember fastening after me the 
heavy door which led into the dark wide stone 
chamber of the dead, in order to be secure from 
any interruption in my work. The gloom of the 
apartment was just made visible by the light of 
the lantern, but it served for the business ini' 
mediately in hand. The various instruments had 
judiciously been left behind ; and when I returned 
through the gates — the bag under my cloak — the 
intimation that all was now ready for interment 
was received with a nod of intelligence by the 
old turnkey, which assured me that no inquisition 
nor discovery was to be apprehended on that side 
of the castle walls. 
As soon as I was outside I began to hurry 
down the hill ; but the pavement was coated with 
a thin sheet of ice, my foot slipped, and, being 
encumbered with my cloak, I lost my balance and 
fell forward with a shock which jerked the negro’s 
head out of the bag, and sent it bounding down 
the slippery surface of the steep descent. As 
soon as I recovered my legs I raced desperately 
after it, but was too late to arrest its progress. I 
saw it bounce against the door of a cottage facing 
the descent, which flew open and received me at 
