“He was employed at this house by its previous owner, just a few days or weeks before I purchased it. He asked for work here when I came to take possession. He was an experienced butler, he said.”
“Then that’s all you know about the dead man?”
“Absolutely all.”
“His full name?”
“I made out his check to David Florey. I assumed he was an Englishman.”
“You didn’t know that, for sure?”
“No.” Nealman hesitated, as if secretly startled. “I really didn’t know it, when I come to think about it. I always assumed that he was.”
“He was a good servant?”
“Excellent. I can go further. The best, most conscientious butler I ever had.”