“No, I asked her that night. To put the case away in the morning.”
“Did she reply?” commented Baddeley.
“She promised that she would.”
“Did you remind her again the following morning?” he continued.
“Yes—first thing.”
“And then what transpired?”
“Nothing. I thought no more about it. Not seeing the case lying on my dressing-table, I naturally imagined that Coombes had carried out my instructions.”
Baddeley nodded in acquiescence. “Quite so. And then?”
“Well, I was thinking over this dreadful business of last night and worrying ... and wondering ... when suddenly the idea of theft and burglary flew to my brain ... and as I have just explained to Sir Charles ... I went straight to the large jewel-case, unlocked it ... more as a means of making sure than because I really thought I had lost anything ... you know the rest. The case containing the necklace was not there.”
“Now, Lady Considine,” said the Inspector, “try and think ... when is your last remembrance of seeing the missing case?”