“Ichiro Sotowa,” said Laurel. “Itchie’s been with us for ages. This is Mr. Queen, Itchie. He’s interested in the way Daddy died, too.”
The houseman’s smile faded. “Bad ― bad,” he said, shaking his head. “Heart no good. You like a drink, sir?”
“Not just now, thanks,” said Ellery. “Just how long did you work for Mr. Hill, Ichiro?”
“Sixteen year, sir.”
“Oh, then you don’t go back to the time of... What about that chauffeur ― Simeon, was it?”
“Shimmie shopping with Mis’ Monk.”
“I meant how long Simeon’s been employed here.”
“About ten years,” said Laurel. “Mrs. Monk came around the same time.”
“That’s that, then. All right, Laurel, let’s begin.”
“Where?”