On Tuesday the 13th September 1949 a young man walked into the Alston branch of the Midland Bank and demanded money. The manager, Mr. Steele, refused his demand. The young man shot Mr. Steele, rushed out of the bank, across the Market Place, leapt into his stolen car and drove off in the direction of Penrith.

On that day there was a failed bank robbery, a suicide and two murders. This is the story.