There were carpet slippers on his bare feet.
The doctor knelt beside him and held down the hand lamp which had stood on the table.

One glance at the victim was enough to show the healer that his presence could be dispensed with.

The man had been horribly injured.

Lying across his chest was a curious weapon, a shotgun with the barrel sawed off a foot in front of the triggers.

It was clear that this had been fired at close range and that he had received the whole charge in the face, blowing his head almost to pieces.