24 January

Well! I was able at last (!), with the aid of a small coin, to obtain some information about the staff Troubles. One of the upstairs maids, Francine, has a sister, Maggie, who works below-stairs, and she let me know that *another* scullery maid, also called Mary, has been sent away. Francine has promised to bring Maggie to me tomorrow so that I may interrogate her further, Uncle Jack was back today and most attentive (though still secretive about his whereabouts), so I had no time to find out more.