What about the parlormaid?

 

“She, too, was a most superior girl. Very quiet and ladylike. An excellent

worker.”

 

“Then why is she leaving?” asked the inspector.

 

Miss Russell pursed up her lips.

 

“It was none of my doing. I understand Mr. Ackroyd found fault with her

yesterday afternoon. It was her duty to do the study, and she disarranged some

of the papers on his desk, I believe. He was very annoyed about it, and she gave

notice. At least, that is what I understood from her, but perhaps you’d like to

see her yourselves?”

 

The inspector assented. I had already noticed the girl when she was waiting on

us at lunch. A tall girl, with a lot of brown hair rolled tightly away at the

back of her neck, and very steady gray eyes. She came in answer to the

housekeeper’s summons, and stood very straight with those same gray eyes fixed

on us.

 

“You are Ursula Bourne?” asked the inspector.

 

“Yes, sir.”