Sophy was not long in coming, and she confirmed all that Nicodemus had said. She added that the southwest chamber had not been occupied as a bedchamber for years, although the four-poster was left standing with its mattresses and pillows in place, after which she was excused. Colonel Thornton was then sent for by the coroner.
“Your servants say, Colonel, that you did not expect your niece to bring her French maid, Annette, with her last night,” began Penfield. “Is that so?”
“My niece is at liberty to bring anyone,” with emphasis, “to this house,” said Colonel Thornton. “But I must admit that I did not know until just as dinner was announced that the maid had accompanied her.”
“Did you not see them arrive?” asked Brett.
“No, they came earlier than I anticipated, and I was not in the house when they reached here.”
“Did Nicodemus inform you that the maid was here?”
“No; why should he? He knows that this is my niece’s second home, and that she is virtually mistress of the house.”
“Then your niece is thoroughly acquainted with this building?” put in Brett.
“Haven’t I just said so,”—impatiently. “Miss Thornton brought her maid with her because she knows I have but two old servants, enough for my bachelor needs, but she very naturally considered that my other guests, Mrs. Truxton and Miss Carew, might desire a maid’s services.”