The post-mortem examination disclosed noth-
ing; every organ was normal and sound. But
when the body had been prepared for burial
a faint dark circle, as if made by contusion, was
seen to have developed about the neck; at least I
was so assured by several persons who said they
saw it, but of my own knowledge I cannot say
if that was true.

Nor can I affirm my knowledge of the limita-
tions of the principle of heredity. I do not
know that in the spiritual as in the temporal
world, natural laws have no post-facto validity.
Surely, if I were to guess at the fate of Bramwell
Olcott Bartine, I should guess that he was hanged
at eleven o'clock in the evening, and that he had
been allowed several hours in which to prepare
for the change.

As to John Bartine, my friend, my patient for
five minutes, and -- Heaven forgive me -- my vic-
tim for eternity, there is no more to say. He is
buried, and his watch with him -- I saw to that.
May God rest his soul in Paradise, and the soul of
his Virginian ancestor, if, indeed, they are two
souls.

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