Marcel nodded. I noticed his Adam’s apple went up and down as he swallowed hard.

“Now, Marcel. What time did your master come up to his bedroom on the evening before he died?”

Marcel frowned then said, “About ten o’clock. That was very early for him. I was surprised.”

“Did he say why he’d come up early? Was he not feeling well?”

“He said, ‘You’re a good fellow, Marcel. You’re worth ten of the others. Bloodsuckers all of them.’ He was not in a happy mood, but I do not think he was feeling unwell.”

“Did he ask you to bring him any kind of hot drink or medicine?”

Marcel shook his head.

“So that night, before he died, did you see him eat or drink anything?”

Marcel frowned. “He had no drink, monsieur. I did not see him take any kind of medicine, although sometimes he takes an iron tonic at night.”

Fairbotham turned to his sergeant. “Get the iron tonic analyzed. And any other bottles of medicine in his bathroom.” He focused on Marcel again. “So you didn’t see anything pass his lips on the night before he died?”

“I did not see, no. But I do not know what he ate or drank before he retired for the night.”

“And the next morning—did he have a cup of tea brought to him in bed?”

“No, monsieur. He arose early. He seemed agitated, nervous. He dressed quickly and told me he was going down to his study to write a letter. I was to bring him a cup of black coffee.”

“And you did this?”

“Of course. I went to the kitchen and brought him the cup of coffee to his desk.”

“You poured the coffee yourself?”

“No, monsieur. The cook poured the coffee and handed it to me. It would be quite wrong for me to help myself in her kitchen.”

“Did you see the cup before she poured it?”

Marcel frowned. “The cup, monsieur? It was waiting with all the other cups, stacked on a tray.”

Fairbotham frowned. “And you carried it straight to his study? You didn’t leave it anywhere for someone to drop something into the coffee?”

“Monsieur—” Marcel bristled. “When the duke required his coffee, it was my job to fetch it for him immediately. I placed it on his desk beside him. He was busy writing. I went away again. I did not see him drink it.”

“And then he went out?”

“I do not know this, monsieur. I was back in my master’s chamber. I did not see him again. I knew nothing of his death until Frederick came and told me that Her Grace wishes to speak with all the servants. I can tell you that this news broke my heart. I had to fight to hold back my tears. My tears return now, as we speak of it again.”