"Well," said Torry, rather disappointed at the failure of his efforts, "let us return to the subject of your maid. Her name was Julia Brawn?"
"It was."
"How long was she in your service?"
"Close on a year."
"When did she leave you?"
"About a week before the murder of Mr. Grent."
"You dismissed her?"
"No," said Maria calmly; "She was an excellent servant, and I was sorry to lose her. She left me of her own free will."
"For what reason?"
"I understood she was about to be married."