"It must have been instantaneous." Time seemed to beat out its course in leaden seconds whilst they waited for the superintendent from Scotland Yard.

Nigel at first stood still for some moments.

From outside came the cheerful but muffled roar of the London streets, the hooting of motor horns, the rumbling of wheels, the measured footfall of the passing multitude.

A boy went by, whistling; another passed, calling hoarsely the news from the afternoon papers.

A muffin man rang his bell, a small boy clattered his stick against the area bailing.