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In the early 1800s, medical science was coming of age. Doctors could only hope to pass their schooling if they had their own cadaver to practice on. The trouble was that there wasn’t enough, and laws limited the number allowed. Many doctors had to rely on body snatchers, and ask no questions. Often bodies came from robbing graves, but sometimes they were freshly made corpses.
Mother Slade awaits the arrival of her son and a nephew as they are due back from a grave-robbing venture that failed. Her young foster girl, Peggy Lester, and common house drudge has been awakened as well. When a murder has been committed in the failed raid, Mother Slade is determined to deliver a body to the nice doctor, no matter what.
Say it ain’t so, she wouldn’t stoop so low as to sacrifice her lowly house drudge, Peggy! Sure enough, she and her thugs show up to deliver the body to the doctor. It doesn’t take much for him to put the pieces together and is saddened to think the cute, and the abused girl is now his cadaver. It doesn’t take long for the cops to arrive. They have been on the trail of the body snatchers, ever since their failed attempt in the cemetery, and now have them in custody.
Is it the good doctor’s turn next? Will he be found with the fresh corpse in his cupboard? Muddy footprints on his fine Turkish carpet tells the tale. but wait, there’s still a twist or two to offer a happy ending to this evening of suspense.
