"That's right," he agreed. "The empty shell would throw right rear. It's a .455. I don't wonder the Countess thought it was a bullet in the dark. It hit the bookcase about a foot from her. The bullet itself grazed the window frame and we'll find it outside to-morrow--unless your assailant happens to be carrying it about in him." Jimmy shook his head regretfully. "Leopold, I fear, did not cover himself with glory," he remarked sadly. The Countess was looking at him with most flattering attention. "Your arm!" she exclaimed. "It is all tied up! Was it you then--" Jimmy made her a mock bow. "I'm so glad I've got a cultured English voice," he said. "And I can assure you that I wouldn't have dreamed of using the language I did if I had had any suspicion that a lady was present." "I did not understand all of it," the Countess hastened to explain. "Although I had an English governess when I was young--" "It isn't the sort of thing she'd be likely to teach you," agreed Jimmy. "Kept you busy with your uncle's pen, and the umbrella of the gardener's niece. I know the sort of stuff." "But what has happened?" asked the Countess. "That is what I want to know. I demand to know what has happened." There was a moment's silence whilst everybody looked at Superintendent Battle. "It's very simple," said Battle mildly. "Attempted robbery. Some political papers stolen from Sir Stanley Digby. The thieves nearly got away with them, but thanks to this young lady"--he indicated Loraine--"they didn't." The Countess flashed a glance at the girl--rather an odd glance. "Indeed," she said coldly. "A very fortunate coincidence that she happened to be there," said Superintendent Battle, smiling. The Countess gave a little sigh and half closed her eyes again. "It is absurd, but I still feel extremely faint," she murmured. "Of course you do," cried Bill. "Let me help you up to your room. Bundle will come with you." "It is very kind of Lady Eileen," said the Countess, "but I should prefer to be alone. I am really quite all right. Perhaps you will just help me up the stairs?" She rose to her feet, accepted Bill's arm and, leaning heavily on it, went out of the room. Bundle followed as far as the hall but, the Countess reiterating her assurance--with some tartness--that she was quite all right, she did not accompany them upstairs. But as she stood watching the Countess's graceful form, supported by Bill, slowly mounting the stairway, she stiffened suddenly to acute attention. The Countess's négligé, as previously mentioned, was thin--a mere veil of orange chiffon. Through it Bundle saw distinctly below the right shoulder blade _a small black mole_. With a gasp, Bundle swung impetuously round to where Superintendent Battle was just emerging from the library. Jimmy and Loraine had preceded him.