The big lobby was cleared, and the officer gravely watched the way the actors of the scene arranged themselves. Prescott stood well apart from the others with Muriel at his side. She was flushed and overstrung, but her pose and expression suggested that she was defying the rest, and she cast a hard, unsympathetic glance at Gertrude, who sat limply, with clenched hands. Colston, looking embarrassed and unhappy, sat near his wife, who had preserved some composure. Jernyngham leaned against the counter, dejected and apparently half dazed.
“Before you go any farther, I’d better tell you that I fired the shot,” he said brokenly.
“When I came out, the pistol was in Mr. Colston’s hand,” the officer pointed out in a meaning tone.
“That’s true,” Colston broke in. “I took it from him, for fear of an accident. Mr. Jernyngham was in a very nervous and excited state. He has, of course, been bearing a heavy strain, and I imagine you must have said something that rather upset his balance.”
“I was perfectly sensible!” Jernyngham harshly interrupted him. “I found I could get no assistance from the police; it looked as if my son’s death must go unavenged!”
Colston raised his hand to check him. Jernyngham could not be allowed to explain his action, as he seemed bent on doing.
“No! no!” he said soothingly, “you mustn’t think of it! Please let me speak.” He addressed the officer. “You can see the nervous state Mr. Jernyngham is in—very natural, of course, but I think it should appeal to your consideration.”
The officer reflected. He had been brought up in the old country, and could sympathize with the people before him; they deserved pity, and he had no wish to humiliate them. Moreover, Miss Hurst, whom he admired, seemed to be involved. These reasons could not be allowed to carry much weight, but there were others. It was obvious that Jernyngham was hardly responsible for his actions; the man’s worn and haggard face showed that he had been severely tried. Justice would not be served by probing the matter too deeply, and Colston’s attitude indicated that this would be difficult.
“As you seem to be the one who had the narrowest escape, Mr. Prescott, have you any complaint to make?” he said.
“None whatever. I’m sorry the thing has made so much stir.”