"Jenny Prask," and Sir Chichester wrote it down.
"You have been Mrs. Croyle's maid for some time."
"For three and a half years, sir."
"Good!" said Sir Chichester, with the air of one who by an artful question has elicited a most important piece of evidence.
"Now!" But now he fumbled. He had come to the real examination, and was at a loss how to begin. "Yes, now then, Jenny!" and again he came to a halt.
Whilst Jenny waited, her eyes once glittered strangely under their half-dropped lids; and Martin Hillyard followed the direction of their gaze to the door-key lying upon the table beside Sir Chichester's hand.
"Jenny," said Sir Chichester, who had at last formulated a question. "You informed us that Mrs. Croyle instructed you last night not to call her until she rang. That, no doubt, was an unusual order for her to give."
"No, sir."
Sir Chichester leaned back in his chair.
"Oh, it wasn't?"