"I told you yesterday, Phil, that I brought it downstairs and locked it up," replied Miss Heredith, with a glance at the safe in the corner of the room. "I have been keeping the keys until you got better."
"Then you might let me have them now," said the young man. "I should like to see if the jewels are all right."
"Why, Phil, of course they are all right," his aunt replied. "We found the jewel-case locked, and not tampered with in any way."
"Was Mrs. Heredith's jewel-case in her bedroom the night she was murdered?" asked Colwyn.
"Yes," responded Miss Heredith. "We found it on her toilet-table, where she usually kept it."
"Did it contain valuable jewels?"
"It contained a necklace of pearls which was given to poor Violet by Sir Philip," was the reply. "It is an old family necklace."
"Then I agree with Mr. Heredith that the jewel case should be opened."
"Very well. As you think it necessary, I will go to my room for the keys."
Miss Heredith left the library, and returned in a few moments with a small bunch of keys in her hand. She went to the safe, unlocked it, and returned to the table bearing an oblong silver box of quaint design, with the portrait of a stout simpering lady in enamel on the cover. Miss Heredith directed Colwyn's attention to the portrait, remarking that it was a likeness of a princess of the reigning house, who had given it and the box to her great-uncle, Captain Sir Philip Heredith.