When I came through the hall again a few minutes later, it was gone." This statement might, or might not, be true, but it did not seem to me to improve matters much for Inglethorp. 
The statement could be true and could also not.
I did not go through the hall.
The big Christmas story is buying physically and waiting in line at stores.
Three people are laying on the street.
A person is standing.
There are people in swinsuits.
The people here are eating breakfast at separate tables.
The person is in a car.