"Some passer-by must have seen or heard the shooting.

A pistol cannot be fired in a quiet square like this without attracting general attention." "That is the extraordinary part of it," said Forbes, smiling grimly.
"People heard the noise, of course, but came to the conclusion that a cylinder in the car had back-fired.

That was the view taken by two policemen on duty within a few yards of the house.

A detective stationed in the cloakroom actually saw the man raising the weapon.

He, of course, was under no delusion as to what had happened, and ran out instantly, but the car was then traveling at a fast pace, and was out of sight before the nearest constable could even endeavor to stop it.