Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/182

 He drew the young man's attention to a row of shelves placed at right angles to the window. They were raised tier upon tier to the height of the ceiling, and were crammed with crude staring objects. A close inspection revealed them to be busts made of plaster of Paris.

"Why, what are these horrible things supposed to represent?" said Northcote, with a thrill in his voice.

"These," said Mr. Whitcomb cheerfully, "are the casts taken after death of a number of ladies and gentlemen who have had the distinction of being hanged within the precincts of this jail during the past hundred years. If you will examine them closely, you will be able to observe the indentation of the hangman's rope, which has been duly imprinted on the throat of each individual. Also, you may discern the mark of the knot under the left ear. Interesting, are they not? The official mind is generally able to exhibit itself in quite an amiable light when it stoops to the æsthetic."

"I call it perfectly devilish," said Northcote, shuddering with horror.

"They must have quite a peculiar scientific interest," said Mr. Whitcomb, "for each lady or gentleman who may chance to enter this apartment to consult his or her legal adviser. Are you able to recognize any of these persons of distinction? If I am not mistaken, the elderly gentleman on the third row on the right towards the door is no less an individual than Cuttell, who poisoned a whole family at Wandsworth. High-minded and courteous person as he undoubtedly was, I must say Cuttell certainly looks less outré now he is dead,