Suddenly a bulky shape sprang from the ground within a few yards of him and bounded away.
Instinctively he fired at it, started to run in pursuit, and stumbled against something soft which threw him down headlong.
"Even as he pitched forward on his head he knew it could be nothing else but Laughing Anne's body.

He picked himself up and, remaining on his knees, tried to lift her in his arms.

He felt her so limp that he gave it up.

She was lying on her face, her long hair scattered on the ground.
Some of it was wet.

Davidson, feeling about her head, came to a place where the crushed bone gave way under his fingers.