‘The cook and the maids came in and we had quite a nice little chat. Elderly party, it was. Mary, Isabel and Muriel, the maids are. The cook’s Mrs Bullivant.’

‘And what did you and Mary, Isabel and Muriel talk about?’

‘We passed the time of day and listened to the wireless. Mrs Bullivant showed me photographs of her nephews in the fighting forces.’

‘Come on, Fox,’ said Alleyn, grinning.

‘By gradual degrees,’ said Fox, enjoying himself, ‘we got round to the late baronet. He must have been a card, the late old gentleman.’

‘I believe you.’

‘Yes. The maids wouldn’t say much while Mr Barker was there, but he went out after a bit and then it was, as you might say, plain sailing.’

‘You and your methods!’

‘Well, we were quite cosy. Naturally, they were dead against Miss Orrincourt, except Isabel, and she said you couldn’t blame the old gentleman for wanting a change from his family. It came as a bit of a surprise from Isabel, who’s the oldest of the maids, I should say. She’s the one who looks after Miss Orrincourt’s rooms, and it seems Miss Orrincourt got quite friendly with her. Indiscreet, really, but you know the type.’

‘It’s evident, at least, that you do.’

‘They seemed to be as thick as thieves, Miss O. and Isabel, and yet, you know, Isabel didn’t mind repeating most of it. The garrulous sort, she is, and Mrs Bullivant egging her on.’

‘Did you get anywhere with the history of the milk?’

‘Isabel took it out of a jug in the refrigerator and left it in Miss Orrincourt’s room. The rest of the milk in the jug was used for general purposes next day. Miss O. was in her room and undressing when Isabel brought it. It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes or so later that Miss O. took it to the old gentleman. It was heated by Isabel in the kitchen and some patent food put in. The old gentleman fancied Miss O. did it, and said nobody else could make it to suit him. It was quite a joke between Isabel and Miss O.’

‘So there’s no chance of anybody having got at it?’

‘Only if they doped the tin of patent food, and I’ve got that.’

‘Good.’

‘And I don’t know if you’re thinking she might have tampered with the medicine, sir, but it doesn’t seem likely. The old gentleman never let anybody touch the bottle on account of Miss Desdemona Ancred having once given him embrocation in error. It was a new bottle, Isabel says, I’ve got it from the dump. Cork gone, but there’s enough left for analysis.’

‘Another job for Dr Curtis. What about the Thermos?’

‘Nicely washed and sterilized and put away. I’ve taken it, but there’s not a chance.’