"What color is your relative's hair?"
"Blond."
"Oh! Good fortune! Then the unfortunate deceased isn't your relative, because his hair is black."
The two gentlemen's faces lit up with a trace of joy: "Sir, I assure you, we're immensely grateful to you for fulfilling our wish so swiftly."
"It was a mere trifle, I'm equally happy for both of you."
"Truly, we're deeply thankful! Please accept this small token, consider it compensation for the trouble we've caused you."
Saying this, the gentleman stuffed two guineas into Lewis's hand.
"You're too kind," Lewis said as he pocketed the gold coins.
Perhaps it was a pang of conscience, or maybe he was worried that committing the same act again so soon would expose him, but that night, Lewis went home and immediately tore up the "news" of a graceful, elegantly dressed lady jumping into the Regent Canal that he hadn't yet submitted.
