2"Morley, if something is wrong with you, you ought to tell me."
"As I told you before, Grummsworth, there's absolutely nothing the matter with me at all."
"Nonsense, my good man! I can tell when there's a problem. I am a detective, after all," Grummsworth chuckled at his own joke. Morley fought hard to keep from grimacing.
"It's really nothing I wish to discuss, Grummsworth. Hadn't we ought to look at the floor plans to the house, to see how the murderer commited the crime?"
"Oh, I thought I might leave that to you, since I've never been very good with things like that. I think we both know who the obvious culprit is."
"So you do believe my theory that Oliver DeCrepit murdered his great- aunt?"
"Ha, Morley, I've always enjoyed your sense of humor. I was the one who first thought of Oliver DeCrepit's motives. Your theory. Honestly. I am the detective, and you, my good man, are the assistant. I'm the idea man, and you simply back me up with evidence. That's the way it's always been." Grummsworth chuckled again. *One more move like that* thought Morley, *and I really will kill the bastard.* But, of course, he stayed within his role of servant, and didn't say a word to the contrary.
"Of course, sir. I'll look over the plans now." Morley drained his teacup.
"There's a good man. You know, Morley, I think I see great potential in you." Grummsworth smiled in what he must have thought was an encouraging way.
"Thank you, sir." Morley tried to sound pleased, but his voice came out hollow and monotonous, but Grummsworth seemed not to notice. Morley went back up the stairs.
"Remember, Morley, to tell Miss Snowcombe, if you happen to see her, about the dusting."
"Of course, Lord Grummsworth." Morley went back up the stairs to his study, where the plans of the DeCrepit mansion were waiting for him to pore over.
Morley opened the closet where Evelyn had been hiding
"It's safe. You can come out now." he told her. Evelyn stood up.
"Well?" she asked, "What happened?"
"What do you think? First Grummsworth took credit for my ideas involving the investigation, then he left me with all the grunt work." Morley sunk into his chair again.
"What do you have to do this time?"
"I have to pore over the house plans to the DeCrepit mansion to find out how the murderer got in and out without using the main doors."
"Well, that's not so bad."
"I suppose not, but it's the principle of the thing, you know?"
"Of course I know, Alex, I've known for over a year now."
"It would be even easier to take if I had company," Morley said hopefully.
"I have to go over those spots I missed, remember?" Evelyn gave a mirthless smile. "But after I'm done with that, I'll see what I can do." She clenched her feather duster firmly in one hand, and left the room.