"What sort of business?"
"Private, sir. With Mr. Graeme himself."
"Did you see him?"
"No, sir. Marcus, the house-boy, told me that he was at work in the library, and had left orders not to be disturbed."
"Then you were in the house?"
"Yes, sir. I went to the kitchen door, and Marcus took me to the butler's pantry."
"Where was Effingham?"
"At work in the dining room. I didn't see him at all."
"How long were you in the house?"
"About twenty minutes, I should say, sir. It was just quarter after one o'clock when I went away."