Later on in the evening, whilst Jane was clearing away the dinner
things, I said to her: "By-the-by, Jane, who is the third maid?" She was
just going to leave the room as I spoke; instead of replying she turned
round with such a scared look on her face that I felt quite alarmed,
then, hurriedly catching up her tray, she left the room. Thinking that
further inquiry would be very disagreeable to her, I forbore again
mentioning the subject. Next day, our week being up, we departed for
fresh woods and pastures new.

* * * * *

Our tour led us considerably further north, but a month later saw us
homeward bound. The nearest route by rail led us by X. As we drew up at
the station we noticed on the platform a parson, in whom we recognised
one of the clergy of X., whose church we had been to. Presently the door
of our compartment was opened and he put in a lady, wished her good-bye,
the guard's whistle blew and we were off. After a short time we fell
into conversation with the lady and found her to be the clergyman's
wife. Amongst other things, we asked after Miss G.

"Oh, Miss G.," she replied; "she is very well, but I hear, poor thing,
she has not had a very good season."

"I am sorry to hear that," I replied; "why is it?" She was silent for a
minute and then related to us the following facts.

At the beginning of the season a rather untoward event occurred at Miss
G.'s lodgings. An elderly lady took one of the flats for a month. She
had with her an attendant of about thirty. Before long Miss G. observed
that they were not on very good terms, and one morning the old lady was
found dead in her bed.

A doctor was at once called in, who, on viewing the body, found there
were very suspicious marks round the neck and throat, as if a person's
fingers had been tightly pressed upon them. The maid on hearing this at
once became very restless, and going to her bed-room, which was at the
top of the house, packed a small bag and, having put on her things, was
about to descend the stairs when, from hurry or agitation, she missed
her footing and, falling to the bottom, broke her neck.

But not the least extraordinary part of the business was that not the
slightest clue could be obtained as to who the lady was, the linen of
herself and her maid having only initials marked on it. The police did
their best by advertising and inquiry, but all they could find out was
that they had come straight to X. fro