“None of them leaving, or anything like that?”

 

“The parlormaid is leaving.”

 

“When?”

 

“She gave notice yesterday, I believe.”

 

“To you?”

 

“Oh, no. _I_ have nothing to do with the servants. Miss Russell attends to the

household matters.”

 

The inspector remained lost in thought for a minute or two. Then he nodded his

head and remarked, “I think I’d better have a word with Miss Russell, and I’ll

see the girl Dale as well.”

 

Poirot and I accompanied him to the housekeeper’s room. Miss Russell received us

with her usual sang-froid.

 

Elsie Dale had been at Fernly five months. A nice girl, quick at her duties, and

most respectable. Good references. The last girl in the world to take anything

not belonging to her.