Tuppence nodded assent without replying.
Husband and wife met half an hour later.
“Now to pool results,” said Tommy. “The sandwiches came out from tea, and the parlormaid ate one—that’s how she got it in the neck. Cook is positive Dennis Radclyffe hadn’t returned when tea was cleared away. Query—how did he get poisoned?”
“He came in at a quarter to seven,” said Tuppence. “Housemaid saw him from one of the windows. He had a cocktail before dinner—in the library. She was just clearing away the glass now, and luckily I got it from her before she washed it. It was after that that he complained of feeling ill.”
“Good,” said Tommy. “I’ll take that glass along to Burton presently. Anything else?”
“I’d like you to see Hannah, the maid. She’s—she’s queer.”
“How do you mean—queer?”
“She looks to me as though she were going off her head.”
“Let me see her.”
Tuppence led the way upstairs. Hannah had a small sitting-room of her own. The maid sat upright on a high chair. On her knees was an open Bible. She did not look towards the two strangers as they entered. Instead she continued to read aloud to herself.
“ Let hot burning coals fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire and into the pit, that they never rise up again. ”
“May I speak to you a minute?” asked Tommy.
Hannah made an impatient gesture with her hand.