Part 33 (1/2)
”Well, we'll see if we can find her without compelling you to pay anything at all,” the Inspector cried. ”I've got an idea in my head.”
”And what is that?” I cried; for I, too, had been thinking out a plan.
”Well, first and foremost,” he answered, ”I want you, Mr. Wetherell, to tell me all you can about your servants. Let us begin with the butler.
How long has he been with you?”
”Nearly twenty years.”
”A good and trustworthy servant, I presume?”
”To the last degree. I have implicit confidence in him.”
”Then we may dismiss him from our minds. I think I saw a footman in the hall. How long has he been with you?”
”Just about three months.”
”And what sort of a fellow is he?”
”I really could not tell you very much. He seems intelligent, quick and willing, and up to his work.”
”Is your cook a man or a woman?”
”A woman. She has been with me since before my wife's death--that is to say, nearly ten years. You need have no suspicion of her.”
”Housemaids?”
”Two. Both have been with me some time, and seem steady, respectable girls. There is also a kitchen maid; but she has been with me nearly as long as my cook, and I would stake my reputation on her integrity.”
”Well, in that case, the only person who seems at all suspicious is the footman. May we have him up?”
”With pleasure. I'll ring for him.”
Mr. Wetherell rang the bell, and a moment later it was answered by the man himself.
”Come in, James, and shut the door behind you,” his master said.
The man did as he was ordered, but not without looking, as I thought, a little uncomfortable. The Inspector I could see had noticed this too, for he had been watching him intently ever since he had appeared in the room.
”James,” said Mr. Wetherell, ”the Inspector of Police wishes to ask you a few questions. Answer him to the best of your ability.”
”To begin with,” said the Inspector, ”I want you to look at this envelope. Have you seen it before?”
He handed him the envelope of the anonymous letter addressed to Mr.
Wetherell. The man took it and turned it over in his hands.
”Yes, sir,” he said, ”I have seen it before; I took it in at the front door.”
”From whom?”
”From a little old woman, sir,” the man answered.