CHAPTER THREE

      THE concierge led them inside, across a wide hall to an ornate lift. She was a tall, bony woman with a hooked nose and a cast in one eye and the twins stared at her with growing delight. ‘Is—is she a—?’ began Josh.

       ‘No, dear,’ began Daisy before he could utter the word, ‘this is the lady who looks after these flats…’

       ‘Juffrouw Smit.’ She ushered them into the lift which took them to the first floor. The landing was as wide as the hall below with a door on either side, one of which she now opened. ‘The apartment,’ she announced, and ushered them inside.

       The flat was large, with lofty ceilings, large windows and a balcony overlooking a sizeable garden. There was a staircase at one end of it leading to the garden and Juffrouw Smit waved a generous arm. ‘It is yours, the garden.’

       ‘Oh, how nice,’ said Lady Thorley uncertainly. ‘The people in the flat below?’

       Juffrouw Smit shrugged. ‘A very small apartment; he is but a clerk.’

       Daisy peered over the balcony balustrade. There were iron railings separating the flat from the garden; it seemed hard on its occupant.

       It was obvious that Juffrouw Smit was preparing another speech in her very basic English. ‘The cook and the serving maid wait in the kitchen.’

       She led the way through two handsome reception-rooms, a small sitting-room and down a short passage and opened a door.

       The kitchen was a good size and, as far as Daisy could see at a glance, well equipped. There were two women there, stoutly built and well past their first youth, with pleasant round faces and white aprons over dark dresses. They smiled and nodded, shook hands and said, ‘Welcome,’ several times. The elder of them pointed to herself. ‘Mien,’ she said and then pointed to her companion and said, ‘Corrie—we speak English a little and understand.’