Jane Pittaway, an under-house-maid, had heard him talking to Elizabeth Twitcher in the blue drawing-room between eleven and half-past.
Mr.Flexen questioned Holloway at length, and learned that James Hatchings was a man of uncommonly violent temper; that it had been a matter of debate in the servants' hall whether his furies or those of their dead master were the worse.

Then he dismissed Holloway, and sent for Jane Pittaway.

A small, sharp-eyed, sharp-featured young woman, she was quite clear in her story.

About eleven the night before she had gone into the great hall to bring away two vases full of flowers, to be emptied and washed next morning, and coming past the door of the blue drawing-room, had heard voices.

She had listened and recognized the voices of Hutchings and Elizabeth Twitcher.