“Stand back there!” called the officer sharply. Then he turned to the group under the veranda. “Now what’s this? I heard a shot!”
“Yes,” said Colston, pulling himself together, though his manner was confused; “there was one. I don’t know how it happened—it was a surprise to us all. I don’t think the pistol’s safe; it goes off too easily. However, the most important thing is that nobody is hurt.”
“That’s fortunate. I’ll take the weapon from you,” replied the officer dryly.
When Colston had given it to him, as if glad to be rid of it, the officer noted the positions and attitudes of the others before he turned to Prescott.
“Can you tell me anything?” he asked.
“I don’t think so,” Prescott answered. “Of course, I saw the flash, but the bullet didn’t come anywhere near me.”
Then Gertrude’s nerve gave way. All that had happened was her work; she had, when her father was wavering and questioning the justice of his suspicions, driven them back more firmly into his mind, and as a result of this he had come near to killing an innocent man. Overwhelmed by the thought, she swayed unsteadily and fell back against the rails.
“Miss Jernyngham is fainting!” Mrs. Colston cried, hurrying toward her.
“Bring her in!” said the officer; and when this was done, with Colston’s assistance, he called to the constable:
“Stand at the door; keep everybody out!”