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Eachman,beforeweparted,hadhistheorythathewasboundtoprove; andnoneofushadanynearerbusinessinthisworldthantotrackoutthepastofourcondemnedcompanion,andsurprisethesecretthathesharedwiththegreatLondondoctor. Itisnogreatboast,butIbelieveIwasabetterhandatwormingoutastorythaneitherofmyfellowsattheGeorge; andperhapsthereisnownoothermanalivewhocouldnarratetoyouthefollowingfoulandunnaturalevents.
InhisyoungdaysFettesstudiedmedicineintheschoolsofEdinburgh. Hehadtalentofakind,thetalentthatpicksupswiftlywhatithearsandreadilyretailsitforitsown. Heworkedlittleathome;buthewascivil,attentive,andintelligentinthepresenceofhismasters. Theysoonpickedhimoutasaladwholistenedcloselyandrememberedwell; nay,strangeasitseemedtomewhenIfirstheardit,hewasinthosedayswellfavoured,andpleasedbyhisexterior. Therewas,atthatperiod,acertainextramuralteacherofanatomy,whomIshallheredesignatebytheletterK. Hisnamewassubsequentlytoowellknown. ThemanwhoboreitskulkedthroughthestreetsofEdinburghindisguise,whilethemobthatapplaudedattheexecutionofBurkecalledloudlyforthebloodofhisemployer. ButMr.K—wasthenatthetopofhisvogue;heenjoyedapopularityduepartlytohisowntalentandaddress,partlytotheincapacityofhisrival,theuniversityprofessor.
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