First, as to the right method of conducting my inquiry.

Second, as to whether Miss Verinder had an accomplice among the female servants in the house.

After carefully thinking it over, I determined to conduct the inquiry in, what we should call at our office, a highly irregular manner.

For this reason: I had a family scandal to deal with, which it was my business to keep within the family limits.

The less noise made, and the fewer strangers employed to help me, the better.