"Indeed, yes, sir--right as rain. Leastwise, from what I've heard. I never see the young gentleman, myself. Them things you mention happened before Mr. Nosworth come to live in these parts--a matter of some four years or more ago. Alwuss had his laboratory here, sir--built it on the land he leased from Sir Ralph Droger's father in the early sixties--and used to come over frequent and shut hisself in the Round House for days on end; but never come here to live until after that flare-up with Master Harry. Come then and built livin' quarters beside the Round House and, after a piece, fetched Miss Renfrew and old Patty Dax over to live with un." "Miss Renfrew and old Patty Dax? Who are they?" "Miss Renfrew is his niece, sir--darter of a dead sister. Old Patty Dax, she war the cook. I dunno what her be now, though--her died six months ago and un hired Mistress Armroyd in her place. French piece, her am, though bein' widder of a Lancashire man, and though I doan't much fancy foreigners nor their ways, this I will say: her keeps the house like a pin and her cookin's amazin' tasty--indeed, yes." "You are an occasional caller in the servants' hall, I see, Mr. Nippers," said Cleek, serenely, as he took up his coat and shook it, preparatory to putting it on. "I think, Mr. Narkom, that in the interests of the public at large it will be well for some one a little more efficient than the local constabulary to look into this case, so, if you don't mind making yourself a trifle more presentable, it will be as well for us to get Mr. Nippers to show us the way to the scene of the tragedy. While you are doing it I will put a few 'Headland' questions to our friend here if you don't mind assuring him that I am competent to advise." "Right you are, old chap," said Narkom, taking his cue. "Nippers, this is Mr. George Headland, one of the best of my Yard detectives. He'll very likely give you a tip or two in the matter of detecting crimes, if you pay attention to what he says." Nippers "paid attention" forthwith. The idea of being in consultation with any one connected with Scotland Yard tickled his very soul; and, in fancy, he already saw his name getting into the newspapers of London, and his fame spreading far beyond his native weald. "I won't trouble you for the full details of the murder, Mr. Nippers," said Cleek. "Those, I fancy, this Miss Renfrew will be able to supply when I see her. For the present, tell me: how many other occupants does the house hold beyond these two of whom you have spoken--Miss Renfrew and the cook, Mrs. Armroyd?" "None, sir, but the scullery maid, Emily, and the parlour maid, Clark. But both of them is out to-night, sir--havin' went to a concert over at Beattie Corners. A friend of Mistress Armroyd's sent her two tickets, and her not bein' able to go herself, her thought it a pity for 'em to be wasted, so her give 'em to the maids." "I see, no male servants at all, then?"