"What's your name, previous place of employment, and opinion as to the present location of the stolen cuff-buttons?"
"My name is Adelaide Meerckenloo, and I used to be maid to the late Queen of Belgium. I think the man who stole the Earl's diamonds is Peter Van Damm, Lord Launcelot's valet. He used to work for a diamond firm in Amsterdam, Holland; so he would know best how to dispose of them."
"Which is about as good a reason for your suspicions as the others gave for theirs. You're excused, Addie. Next," said Holmes.
"Well, you don't need to bite my head off about it," grumbled Addie, as she went out, and her place was taken by a cheerful and rubicund coachman, the same one who had driven us up from the station the day before.
"What's your name, antecedents, and knowledge as to the diamond-theft?" Holmes demanded.
"Vell, Ay bane Olaf Yensen, from Aalesund, Norvay. Ay bane the Earl's first coachman. Und Ay suspect strongly that my partner out at das stables, Carol Linescu, sviped das Earl's cuff-buttons. Ay saw das rascal hiding someding in das hay up in the loft last evening, und Ay bet you, by Golly, that if you yump on him, you vill find that he is das tief. So!"
And the fat little coachman looked around with a cherubic smile on his face.
"All right, Yensie, maybe we will. You're excused. Next."
The man who had just been accused of the robbery was now presented by the secretary. He formed a marked contrast to his partner,—being tall, dark and slender, with a hangdog expression on his face.
"What's your name, and what have you got to say about the disappearance of the diamonds?" pursued the relentless inquisitor.