reiterating her assurance—with some tartness—that she was quite all right, she did not accompany them upstairs.
But as she stood watching the Countess’s graceful form, supported by Bill, slowly mounting the stairway, she stiffened suddenly to acute attention. The Countess’s negligee, as previously mentioned, was thin—a mere veil of orange chiffon. Through it Bundle saw distinctly below the right shoulder blade a small black mole . With a gasp, Bundle swung impetuously round to where Superintendent Battle was just emerging from the library. Jimmy and Loraine had preceded him.
“There,” said Battle. “I’ve fastened the window and there will be a man on duty outside. And I’ll lock this door and take the key. In the morning we’ll do what the French call ‘reconstruct the crime’—Yes, Lady Eileen, what is it?”
“Superintendent Battle, I must speak to you—at once.”
“Why, certainly, I—”
George Lomax suddenly appeared, Dr. Cartwright by his side.
“Ah, there you are, Battle. You’ll be relieved to hear that there’s nothing seriously wrong with O’Rourke.”
“I never thought there would be much wrong with Mr. O’Rourke,” said Battle.
“He’s had a strong hypodermic administered to him,” said the doctor. “He’ll wake perfectly all right in the morning. Perhaps a bit of a head, perhaps not. Now then, young man, let’s look at this bullet wound of yours.”
“Come on, nurse,” said Jimmy to Loraine. “Come and hold the basin or my hand. Witness a strong man’s agony. You know the stunt.”