"Come down a little," she said.

The white spot of light wavered, settled on the Doctor's face.
"I hope you haven't a weapon," the Doctor called up the stairs with an unsuccessful attempt at jocularity.
Miss Cornelia descended another step.
"How's this ?" "That's about right," said Dale uncertainly.

Miss Cornelia was satisfied.
"Lights, please." She went up the stairs again to see if she could puzzle out what course of escape the man who had shot Fleming had taken after his crime--if it had been a man.
Dale switched on the living-room lights with a sense of relief.

The reconstruction of the crime had tried her sorely.

She sat down to recover her poise.
"Doctor! I'm so frightened!" she confessed.
The Doctor at once assumed his best manner of professional reassurance.
"Why, my dear child ?" he asked lightly.