This is either a bug, or really, really funny.
A few days ago I opened a thread where I bemoaned the fact that I had accidentally sold off my hoarded body parts. A number of kind people reassured me that I would get lots of better body parts later on, and that I shouldn't worry (thanks again, y'all!).
Now I have learned that I did not in fact "accidentally sell" anything - my body parts were
nicked by that shifty merchant Locke at the inn in Broken Valley village. On two separate occasions during the last hour I have visited Locke and sold off a few pieces of well-gotten loot. On both occasions those body parts that I had at that time collected were gone from my inventory when I had concluded the trade. I had not sold or otherwise disposed of them; they were simply gone. In the latest instance I actually checked the inventory right before I closed the trade window.
At first I thought that this must be some kind of bug. But now I'm beginning to suspect that the truth is of a much more sinister nature. This fellow Locke does have a weird manner, and a decided "Igor" lilt to his voice. It would totally fit the tone of the game if my missing body parts are neatly stashed in Locke's conspicuously unaccessible magic locker right outside the inn. If this is true, it would be SO worth it!
I'll test my theory by trading with another merchant the next time I do business.