“It would be about a month ago now, my lady.”
“Why did he leave?”
“It was by his own wish, my lady. I believe he has gone to London. I was not dissatisfied with him in any way. I think you will find the new footman, John, very satisfactory. He seems to know his work and to be most anxious to give satisfaction.”
“Where did he come from?”
“He had excellent references, my lady. He had lived last with Lord Mount Vernon.”
“I see,” said Bundle thoughtfully.
She was remembering that Lord Mount Vernon was at present on a shooting trip in East Africa.
“What’s his last name, Tredwell?”
“Bower, my lady.”
Tredwell paused for a minute or two and then, seeing that Bundle had finished, he quietly left the room. Bundle remained lost in thought.
John had opened the door to her on her arrival that day, and she had taken particular notice of him without seeming to do so.
Apparently he was the perfect servant, well trained, with an expressionless face. He had, perhaps, a more soldierly bearing than most footmen and there was something a little odd about the shape of the back of his head.
But these details, as Bundle realised, were hardly relevant to the situation. She sat frowning down at the blotting paper in front of her. She had a