Free Devious Murder by George Bellairs Page A

shoes, as required.’
    â€˜Have you done that recently?’
    â€˜Yes, sir. On the last two nights, because of farewell parties and such arrangements, I helped Mrs. Morgan to dress the mistress and undress her when she returned.’
    â€˜On her last night, will you tell me what happened exactly, then?’
    â€˜You mean …?’
    â€˜Tell us what happened at
The Limes
on Mrs. Havenith’s last night there, between seven o’clock and midnight’
    Molly thought for a minute.
    â€˜Mrs. Havenith had arranged a theatre party and a dinner after it. The Steinbergs called. He’s her bank manager. They all went off together at about seven o’clock. At about nine o’clock Mrs. Havenith and Mr. Leo, that’s her stepson by Mr. Havenith’s first wife, were back at
The Limes
. Mrs. Havenith had been taken unwell and they’d left their friends and come home.’
    â€˜Did she seem unwell to you, Molly?’
    Molly hesitated.
    â€˜You needn’t hesitate, Molly. Just tell me the truth. This concerns a murder and it’s your duty to be frank with us. I know a good servant should be discreet and not talk outside about her mistress, but this is an exceptional case and you must tell me all you know. We will see that you don’t suffer for your confidences.’
    The girl had to struggle against her habitual duty, but she did her best.
    â€˜They got back, at nine, sir.’
    â€˜Did Mrs. Havenith seem unwell?’
    â€˜Not to my way of thinking.… She was upset, but not sick.’
    â€˜Why was she upset?’
    â€˜I suppose it was because she wouldn’t be seeing Mr. Leo again for some time. He was going back to America on business for the master and would be away for a month.’
    â€˜You heard him say that?’
    â€˜Yes. They ordered a bottle of champagne for what she called a farewell drink. They nearly drank the lot. She wouldn’t have done that if she’d got a bad headache or was sick.’
    â€˜After that, did they retire?’
    â€˜It depends on what you mean by retire. They took more champagne to her bedroom and drank it there.’
    â€˜What time did he leave her?’
    â€˜Just before ten. She rang for Mrs. Morgan then and Mrs. Morgan sent for me. Mrs. Havenith was a bit drunk and did what she usually did when she was like that.’
    â€˜What did she do?’
    â€˜Threw her things about the room, slipped out of her clothes, and into bed without a stitch of clothing on her. Then we had to gather everything together and tidy up.’
    â€˜Including her jewellery?’
    â€˜Yes. Mrs. Morgan gave it to Mr. Cairncross to put away in the safe.’
    â€˜Then you left her?’
    â€˜Yes. She was all the time telling Mrs. Morgan to leave her alone, but Mrs. Morgan wouldn’t go until we’d left everything straight.’
    â€˜What time would that be?’
    â€˜Before ten o’clock.’
    â€˜You’re sure?’
    â€˜Yes, sir. There was only Mrs. Morgan and me in the house. Mr. Morgan had gone to his masonic.…’
    â€˜What about the other three girls?’
    â€˜With Mrs. Havenith leaving the following morning early and there being no party arranged the three of them were paid off at six and went away with their luggage as soon as the mistress left for the theatre.’
    â€˜So you, the Morgans, Mrs. Havenith and Leo were the only ones in the house that night?’
    â€˜Yes. That’s right.’
    Molly was beginning to look uneasy as though anticipating the next question.
    â€˜Were Leo and Mrs. Havenith lovers?’
    Molly had an anaemic complexion, but she turned paler.
    â€˜Oh, sir. That’s no business of mine. I’d never get another job if I gossipped about what goes on in places I go to.’
    â€˜This isn’t gossip, Molly. It concerns a murder committed at the time we’re talking about. We want to know all we can about what went on.