Page:Marietta, or the Two Students.djvu/18

12 makes you honest. But to speak to the point, what are we to receive for this corpse."

"All we can get, which should not be a trifle. We have risked much to get it; our reputation."

"A great hazard for us both, by G—," replied Gaunt, laughing in a manner that fully explained all he felt in regard to the absurdity of the idea.

"And the risk of detection is not all. Gaunt, the labor must also be reckoned in the account beside the intrinsic value of the body."

"Exactly."

"And look! Gaunt, as I performed most of the labor, I shall be entitled as a matter of course, to the largest share of the money."

"I don't see the force of that argument."

"Here is the force of the argument," replied Thick, quickly, holding up both his enormous fists in a very peculiar manner before Gaunt, "do you see it any better now."

"Yes I understand," replied Gaunt, stepping back to make a wider space between himself and Thick, "but it is not fair."

Thick was about to apply his most cogent reasons in justification of the course he had marked out to pursue, when a knocking without interrupted the proceedings and put an end to the interesting process.

"Who's there," growled Thick, surlily placing himself against the door, while Gaunt was endeavoring with all his strength to drag the corpse into the adjoining room.

"Levator," said a voice without, "let me in. I have business with you." The bar is taken from the door, and the pale student whom we left an hour ago with the fair subject, enters, and the entrance is again barricaded as previously.

"Glad to see you, doctor"—(he always called him doctor when he wished to be obliged,) said Thick with an attempt to look very amiable, I have one of the finest subjects you ever put the knife to—a full grown man—died suddenly—muscles well developed—do you good to look at it."

"Is it a very recent one," inquired the student.

Quite"Quite [sic]—died three days since—buried yesterday—raised last night—a heavy fellow—much as I could do to drag him from the coffin—knife will go through it so smooth—can make a clean dissection—come and see."

"Very good indeed," replied Levator, looking attentively at the body. It"It [sic] will answer my purpose admirably.—It is quite fresh—in an excellent state of preservation. What price do you set upon it, Mr. Thick,"

"Thirty-five dollars."

"That is exorbitant."

"Not a cent less, doctor."

"That is more than I have ever given."

"You never had so good a subject."

"It is a very fine one, Thick, and I will give you thirty."

"Say five, doctor, and it is yours."

"Not a farthing more."

"What do you think, Gaunt,"' said Thick thoughtfully, leaning towards that worthy person, "shall we, seeing it is our very good friend the doctor, conclude the bargain and consent to loose the other five, which the subject is really worth?"

The person to whom this question was dictated paused a short time as if deeply weighing the subject, and then nodded his head by way of assent, as a man would do in making a great sacrifice.

"The subject is yours, doctor, although I assure you, in good faith, that I would not hazard as much again for twice the sum."

While saying this he tries to bear the air of a martyr, but still acts like one