“It’s about Gerry,” said Loraine. “And now about Ronny⁠—”

“What do you mean by ‘and now about Ronny’?”

“He was shot yesterday.”

“What?” cried Jimmy.

Bundle told her story for the second time.

Jimmy listened like a man in a dream.

“Old Ronny⁠—shot,” he murmured. “What is this damned business?”

He sat down on the edge of a chair, thinking for a minute or two, and then spoke in a quiet, level voice.

“There’s something I think I ought to tell you.”

“Yes,” said Bundle encouragingly.