“Oh, no, sir, Miss Mabel wants to see you when she is a bit better. She particularly asked me to say so.”
“Well, then, if so, perhaps you could give me a minute? I would like to ask a question or two.”
The old butler bowed and waited.
“You were here when Sir James’ son went away?”
“Master Ronald? Oh, sir, I am sure he is nothing to do with this terrible murder.”
“Whoever said he was? But he is now heir to his father’s baronetcy even if he has been cut out of his father’s will, and we must try and find him.”
“You’ll excuse me, sir,” said the old man. “But are you a friend of the family?”
“I hope so,” said Collins cheerily, and not to commit himself.
“What exactly did young Ronald do? Anything very dreadful?” he asked.
The butler drew himself up with dignity.