Mr. George shook his head. “The only man I saw come to the room was Mr. Edgecombe. No others—not while I was awake, anyway, though a fellow has to sleep sometime. I stayed at my post from eight in the morning until midnight. It’s possible someone came after I went to bed, but if Oliver had called out, I think I would have heard him. My room is just down the passage.”
“You saw no one else enter the room all week?”
“Only a pair of chambermaids.”
“Together?”
“No. Just the one at a time. Mary came most often, and the other came up once in her stead. Don’t know her name.”
A second maid?This was news to Frederick.
“And when was the last time you saw a maid enter room three?”
“Last night. When Mr. Oliver didn’t go down to the dining room, Mary brought his dinner to him.”
“And before you were struck, did you hear nothing unusual from the room?”
“Nothing.”
“Did you see or hear anything at all from Ambrose Oliver that morning?”
“No, sir.”
“And was the door to his room locked or unlocked?”
George shrugged again. “I assumed it was locked as usual. I had no reason to try it.”
“And did you have a key?”
“No, I did not.”
“And you appeared at your post as usual this morning?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And does the maid come at the same time every morning?”
He nodded. “At nine. Mr. Oliver was particular about when he had his breakfast.”
“So Mr. Oliver was alive at nine last night and was dead by nine this morning.” Smith made a note, then looked again at the witness. “And you saw nothing of your attacker?”
“No, sir. I was taken unawares.” Jack George dipped his head. “To my shame.”
“Very well, Mr. George. Thank you. You may go for now, but please remain in the hotel until the inquest concludes. May take another day or two.”
“And who’s to pay for my room?” he asked. “I’ve had no wages from Mr. Oliver.”
Smith looked above the other heads and coolly met Frederick’s gaze. “Sir Frederick handles the expenses related to inquests. Apply to him.”
After reviewing his notes, Smith called up the next witness. The chambermaid timidly approached the front of the room and was sworn in.
“State your full name and place of residence, if you please.”
“Mary Ann Hinton. And I live here, in the staff quarters.”
“And how long have you been employed here?”
“Going on a year now.”
