>Did the maid cry out because she found the woman's clothes in her room?

No.

>Was either the woman or the maid not in their respective rooms at the time of death?

No. They both were in their rooms. After maid cried and probably got unconsious for a moment, she hurried into her master's room, but it was too late.

>Did you find this puzzle as difficult to solve as I seem to be?

Yes, it was kind of hard...
>Renoir