Crossword Genius

Bag is carried by short manservant (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

valise

'bag' is the definition.
(I know that valise is a type of overnight bag)

'is carried by short manservant' is the wordplay.
'carried by' is an insertion indicator.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'manservant' becomes 'valet' (valet is a kind of manservant).
'valet' with its last letter removed is 'vale'.
'is' placed into 'vale' is 'VALISE'.

(Other definitions for valise that I've seen before include "Small piece of luggage" , "Small travelling bag or suitcase" , "Travel bag" , "Elvis A? (anag)" , "A small suitcase for Leavis" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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