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"And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to

thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep

out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three

maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose

absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy

Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few

months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has

always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has

attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place.

That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we

believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way.