Loraine's heart beat faster as she drew near to the terrace. There was no one about—no sign of life anywhere. Everything seemed peaceful and undisturbed. She reached the terrace and stood there, looking about her.
Suddenly, without the least warning, something from above fell with a flop almost at her feet. Loraine stooped to pick it up. It was a brown paper packet, loosely wrapped. Holding it, Loraine looked up.
There was an open window just above her head, and even as she looked a leg swung over it and a man began to climb down the ivy.
Loraine waited for no more. She took to her heels and ran, still clasping the brown paper packet.
Behind her, the noise of a struggle suddenly broke out. A hoarse voice: "Lemme go"; another that she knew well: "Not if I know it—ah, you would, would you?"
Still Loraine ran—blindly, as though panic-stricken—right round the corner of the terrace—and slap into the arms of a large, solidly built man.
"There, there," said Superintendent Battle kindly.
Loraine was struggling to speak.
"Oh, quick—oh, quick! They're killing each other. Oh, do be quick!"
There was a sharp crack of a revolver shot—and then another.