"So you know about it, you've had news of it."
"Yes, madam. I know what happened, including the tea that was served. And tell me—did your mistress die?"
"Yes, sir. She's gone to a better place."
"And what happened? Was she murdered or did she die of fright?"
"What murder? What fright?" she said with a mocking expression. "You're not in the know after all. She ate something that disagreed with her that night and it harmed her. She had a fainting fit that lasted till dawn."
This one, I thought, knows nothing about the incident with the piano and the poison or doesn't want to make me think she does. Afterwards I said in a loud voice:
"So she died of food poisoning?"
"Yes, sir. I warned her not to eat those shellfish, but she took no notice of me."
"Shellfish, eh?" I said incredulously. "I know what really happened."
"Don't you believe me?"