“By common blow, I mean that one blow did the damage to both _cranys_.” “_Crany?_—how do you spell that word, doctor? Common folks get put out by foreign tongues.” “Cranys, in the plural, sir. We say cran_ium_, for _one_ skull, and crany, for two.” “I wonder what he would say for numskull?” whispered John to Michael. “Yes, sir; I understand you, now. I trust the reporters will get it right.” “Oh! they never make any mistakes, especially in legal proceedings,” quietly remarked Mr. Dunscomb to the doctor. “In matters of law and the constitution, they are of proof! Talk of letters on the constitution! What are equal to those that come to us, _hibernally_, as one may say, from Washington?” “Hibernially would be the better word,” answered McBrain, in the same under tone. “You ought to know; your grandfather was an Irishman, Ned. But listen to this examination.” “And now, Dr. Coe, have the goodness to look at those skeletons,” resumed the coroner, “and tell us whether they belong to man, woman, or child. Whether they are the remains of adults, or of children.” “Of adults, certainly. On that point, sir, I conceive there can be no doubt.” “And as to the sex?” “I should think that is equally clear. I have no doubt that one are the remains of Peter Goodwin, and the other those of his wife. Science can distinguish between the sexes, in ordinary cases, I allow; but this is a case in which science is at fault, for want of facts; and taking all the known circumstances into consideration, I have no hesitation in saying that, according to my best judgment, those are the remains of the missing man and woman—man and wife.” “Am I to understand that you recognize the particular skeletons by any outward, visible proofs?” “Yes; there is the stature. Both of the deceased were well known to me; and I should say, that making the usual allowance for the absence of the _musculi_, the _pellis_, and other known substances—— “Doctor, would it be just as agreeable to you to use the common dialect?” demanded a shrewd-looking farmer, one of the jury, who appeared equally amused and vexed at this display of learning. “Certainly, sir—certainly, Mr. Blore; _musculi_ means muscles, and _pellis_ is the skin. Abstract the muscles and skin, and the other intermediate substances, from the bones, and the apparent stature would be reduced, as a matter of course. Making those allowances, I see in those skeletons the remains of Peter and Dorothy Goodwin. Of the fact, I entertain no manner of doubt.”