“I suppose my hat saved me,” said Bundle. “Partly,” said Superintendent Battle. “But partly it was Mr. Thesiger’s wounded arm. He didn’t realise it himself⁠—but it had only half its usual strength. Still, that’s all no credit to the Department. We didn’t take the care of you we ought to have done, Lady Eileen⁠—and it’s a black dot on the whole business.”

“I’m very tough,” said Bundle. “And also rather lucky. What I can’t get over is Loraine being in it. She was such a gentle little thing.”

“Ah!” said the Superintendent. “So was the Pentonville murderess that killed five children. You can’t go by that. She’s got bad blood in her⁠—her father ought to have seen the inside of a prison more than once.”

“You’ve got her too?”

Superintendent Battle nodded.