“I suppose the housemaid would turn down the bed.”
“Who is she? What do you know about her?”
“She’s not been here very long,” said Mrs. Ackroyd. “But she’s a nice ordinary country girl.”
“I think we ought to clear this matter up,” said the inspector. “If Mr. Ackroyd paid that money away himself, it may have a bearing on the mystery of the crime. The other servants all right, as far as you know?”
“Oh, I think so.”
“Not missed anything before?”
“No.”
“None of them leaving, or anything like that?”
“The parlour maid 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 sangfroid.