“At what time did you get back from the party?”
The girl tugged at her dress in some embarrassment. “It might have been after eleven,” she reluctantly admitted.
“How much after—quarter past, half-past?” he suggested, as she still hesitated.
“It was almost half-past, sir.”
“And when you returned, did you see your mistress?”
“Oh, yes, sir.”
“Was she alone?”
“Yes, sir,” the girl answered, with some surprise.
“Did you notice anything unusual about her?”