Utterly Mad

Allan's confused scrutiny of the letter is interrupted by the sharp retort of a gun in the alley. "Fook!" he blurts, nearly ripping the paper in two. In this same moment, he tries to jump behind the desk, but ends up throwing himself on the desk (engineer's aren't very nimble), and tumbles to the floor behind it. "The 'ell was that? 'Nyun 'urt?"