His eyes darted round, taking in the scene. An automatic lay by Jimmy’s side. The Superintendent picked it up gingerly, holding it very delicately, and examined it. He grunted and laid it on the table. Then he stepped across and unlocked the door.

Several people almost fell into the room. Nearly everybody said something at the same minute. George Lomax, spluttering with obdurate words which refused to come with sufficient fluency, exclaimed:

“The⁠—the⁠—the meaning of this? Ah! It’s you. Superintendent, what’s happened? I say⁠—what has⁠—happened?”

Bill Eversleigh said: “My God! Old Jimmy!” and stared at the limp figure on the ground.

Lady Coote, clad in a resplendent purple dressing gown, cried out: “The poor boy!” and swept past Superintendent Battle to bend over the prostrate Jimmy in a motherly fashion.

Bundle said: “Loraine!”