question:  Why didn't the man posing as Dr. Tompkins die?
context: Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Space Science Fiction May 1952. THE ULTROOM ERROR by JERRY SOHL Smith admitted he had made an error involving a few murders—and a few thousand years. As he did so the baby's knees hit the side of the play pen and young Laughton let out a scream—half from hurt and half from sudden lack of confidence in his new handler. I can't say I dreamt it because there was Reggie with his bleeding knees, squalling for all he was worth on the grass—Oh, I don't even want to think about it." "I'm going with you," Nancy said, hurriedly rising and coming over to him. They found Reggie peacefully asleep in his crib in his room upstairs. "As I've said, sergeant, this fellow hypnotized my wife. Nancy had taken a sedative and was asleep by the time Martin finished cleaning the .30-.30 rifle he used for deer hunting. He put it by the stairs, ready for use, fully loaded, leaning it against the wall next to the telephone stand. "I came as soon as I could, Martin," the young doctor said, stepping inside with the other man. "This is my new assistant, Dr. Tompkins." "You'd better get him, Dr. Tompkins, if we're to take him to the hospital. Martin went over to his desk, opened it and started looking for his checkbook. Dr. Stuart stood by him, making idle comment until Dr. Tompkins came down the stairs with the sleeping baby cuddled against his shoulder. Dr. Stuart crumpled to the ground, the baby falling to the lawn. Dr. Tompkins whirled and there was a second shot. Dr. Tompkins pitched forward on his face. The figure of a woman ran from the house, retrieved the now squalling infant and ran back into the house. Once inside, Nancy slammed the door, gave the baby to the stunned Martin and headed for the telephone. They hypnotized my husband—" "Yes, I know, Mrs. Laughton.
output:  He was able to escape and heal back in his time period
options:  He was able to escape and heal back in his time period  He was wearing a bulletproof vest  There was never a man named Dr. Tompkins  The bullet in his leg caused a non-life-threatening injury