Within seconds the caretaker was out in the hall with a gun shaking in his hand. Then, when he saw the empty milk bottles rolling about, and who had knocked them over, he quickly lowered the revolver before there could be an accident. “Heaven’s sakes, laddie, but you gave me a terrible turn!” he said. Kramer admired the old bugger’s courage and alertness, but wondered if he hadn’t been drinking—then saw his teeth were missing. “Ach, sorry, Mr. McKay. I was backing up and I didn’t notice them by the door.” “Your boy should have warned you,” McKay said, just to show there were no hard feelings. “Still at it, then? Thought you’d finished before lunch.” And he nodded at the burden Kramer and Zondi were carrying between them, peering short-sightedly in an effort to make out what was wrapped inside the car tarpaulin. “Some bits of carpet from upstairs that didn’t suit the new place, so she thought the new tenants might like to at least see if they wanted them They can always chuck them out.”
