As the tale advanced, the medico-legal expert's eyes
affected the table less and Bagley's countenance more. By and by they
occasionally sought Larcher's with something of same inquiry that those
of Barry Tompkins had shown. But the courteous attention, the careful
heeding of every word, was maintained to the end of the story.
"And now, sir," said Bagley, triumphantly, "I'd like to ask what you
think of that?"
The criminologist gave a final look at Bagley, questioning for the last
time his seriousness, and then answered, with cold decisiveness: "It's
impossible."
"But I know it to be true!" blurted Bagley.
"Some little transformation might be accomplished in the way you
describe," said the medico-legal man. "But not such as would insure
against recognition by an observant acquaintance for any appreciable
length of time."
"But surely you know what criminals have done to avoid identification?"
"Better than any other man in New York," said the other, simply, without
any boastfulness.
"And you know what these facial surgeons do?"
"Certainly. A friend of mine has written the only really scientific
monograph yet published on the art they profess."
"And yet you say that what my friend has done is impossible?"
"What you say he has done is quite impossible. Mr. Tompkins, for
example, whom you cite as having once met your friend and then failed to
recognize him, would recognize him in ten seconds after any
transformation within possibility.
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