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had Brockway refused him permission to speak with Lady Chilton? Surely it would have been in the family’s interests for him to have interviewed the mother of the missing girl? She above all others, might well have been able to shed light on the mystery. Then there was the question of the list of names which Brockway had provided – so many names, and yet the solicitor had only been able to pick out the name of Russell, a local landowner, with whom Sir Charles had had a minor disagreement. Given the nature of the man, surely Sir Charles would have made more enemies over the years? Why had they not been mentioned? Russell’s name had come far too easily. Were Sir Charles and Brockway suggesting Russell whilst avoiding more serious contenders? There was no way of knowing at present. Nevertheless Ravenscroft resolved that he would seek out Russell, but first he needed to explore Hill Court in more detail. Old houses sometimes contained dark secrets. Often the servants were the custodians of these past secrets. He would begin with them.
    Opening a door at the far end of the entrance hall, he found himself in a corridor, the door of which in turn opened into what he deemed to be a kind of dining-room. Here a fine set of hunting prints and numerous items of brass and copper were hung from the walls. The door at the far end of the room revealed another short passage that lead into the kitchens.
    ‘Ah Inspector Ravenscroft, good morning to you, sir. Is there any news of Miss Chilton?’
    Ravenscroft recognised Jukes, the servant who had accompanied them to the churchyard the previous evening.
    ‘Good morning. No, we have nothing to report. But I see I am disturbing you both,’ replied Ravenscroft noticing also a plump, rosy-cheeked elderly woman seated at the kitchen table.
    ‘It is quite all right, sir. We usually have some refreshment at this time of day,’ said Jukes.
    ‘Please continue, Mr Jukes.’
    ‘May I introduce you to Mrs Greenway our cook.’
    ‘Mrs Greenway I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I wonder whether I might ask to join you for some refreshment? I must say it was rather chilly by the banks of the Salwarpe this morning.’
    ‘Of course, sir. Sit yourself down there by the stove. You’ll soon get warm there,’ said the cook in a cheery manner rising from the table.
    ‘Sir Charles does not usually encourage us to speak to folk from upstairs,’ said Jukes.
    ‘Well I won’t tell him, if you don’t,’ smiled Ravenscroft, accepting the seat and rubbing his hands near the stove.
    ‘Would you like a cup of tea, Mr Ravenscroft?’ asked the cook.
    ‘That would be most welcome, Mrs Greenway.’
    The cook walked over to the dresser, took down a cup and saucer from the rack and returned to the table. ‘This will soon warm you up sir,’ she said pouring out the liquid from a large teapot. ‘Please help yourself to milk and sugar.’
    ‘You are most generous. My word, this is excellent tea,’ said Ravenscroft after he had sampled the brew.
    ‘Mrs Greenway makes the best tea in all of Worcestershire,’ proclaimed Jukes.
    ‘I can more than believe it,’ said Ravenscroft taking another sip.
    ‘Get away with you, Jukes. Perhaps you would care to sample a piece of my special home made fruit cake, Inspector?’ smiled the cook.
    ‘Delighted I’m sure,’ replied Ravenscroft. ‘If it is half as good as the tea, I will consider myself to be a fortunate man.’
    The cook cut a piece from the cake which adorned a china stand on the dresser, and placed it upon a blue patterned plate before handing it to the detective.
    Jukes and the cook looked at Ravenscroft anxiously as he took a bite.
    ‘Mrs Greenway, this is just the best fruit cake I have ever eaten in all my life!’ exclaimed Ravenscroft. ‘Mr Jukes, you must be a happy man?’
    ‘Indeed I am sir,’ smiled the servant. ‘Mrs Greenway takes good care of us all. We servants want for nothing.’
    ‘Excellent, my dear lady,’ added