INSPECTOR. What lady and— Stand by, Grover!
DANCY'S VOICE. All right! You can come in now.
There is the noise of a lock being turned. And almost immediately the sound of a pistol shot in the bedroom. MABEL rushes to the door, tears it open, and disappears within, followed by the INSPECTOR, just as MARGARET ORME and COLFORD come in from the passage, pursued by the CONSTABLE. They, too, all hurry to the bedroom door and disappear for a moment; then COLFORD and MARGARET reappear, supporting MABEL, who faints as they lay her on the sofa. COLFORD takes from her hand an envelope, and tears it open.
COLFORD. It's addressed to me. [He reads it aloud to MARGARET in a low voice].
"DEAR COLFORD,—This is the only decent thing I can do. It's too damned unfair to her. It's only another jump. A pistol keeps faith. Look after her, Colford—my love to her, and you."
MARGARET gives a sort of choking sob, then, seeing the smelling bottle, she snatches it up, and turns to revive MABEL.
COLFORD. Leave her! The longer she's unconscious, the better.
INSPECTOR. [Re-entering] This is a very serious business, sir.
COLFORD. [Sternly] Yes, Inspector; you've done for my best friend.
INSPECTOR. I, sir? He shot himself.