"I didn't tell you that, sir," he faltered. "How—"
"And when you dropped the weapon," I went on, "this chap collared it, jabbed the beastly thing into you, and told you to look at him. And by Jove you wouldn't!"
Jenkins groaned slightly. The apologetic cough with which he strove to mantle the sound was dry and spiritless.
"No, sir; it seemed easier to die, sir," he murmured—"what with him grinning like a fiend and his long teeth a-sticking out over his lip—ugh!" Then he added wonderingly: "But what gets me is how you should know, sir."
I looked at him gravely.
"Jenkins," I said gently, "I know, because it so happens I was here all the time."
His eyes bulged incredulously.
"You, sir? You mean in this room?"
I nodded slowly. "I mean right in this room—I was a witness of the whole thing."
Jenkins just gulped. I motioned to a chair.