"But when it comes to valuable antiques," interrupted Fenn, "it is what is called criminal carelessness."
"It WAS careless of Dolly to lay the earring down," said Mr. Forbes, "but that is not the real point. After she laid it down, just where she showed us, on that small table, somebody must have picked it up. Her carelessness in laying it there might have resulted in its being brushed off on the floor, but not in its utter disappearance."
"Maybe it fell out of the window," suggested Bernice, suddenly, "that window was open then, you know."
Mr. Forbes waited over to the table. "No," he said, "this stand is fully a foot from the window sill. It couldn't have been unknowingly brushed as far as that."
"Of course, it couldn't," said Fenn, impatiently. "You're making no progress at all, Mr. Forbes."
"Propose some plan, yourself, then," said Dotty, shortly; "you're so smart, suppose you point your finger to the thief!"
"I hope to do so, Miss Rose," and Fenn smirked in a most aggravating way. "But I hesitate to accuse anyone before I am quite sure."
"A wise hesitation!" retorted Dotty. "Stick to that, Mr. Fenn!"
She turned her back on him, and putting her arm round Dolly, sat in silent sympathy.
Suddenly Bernice spoke. She was not crying now, on the contrary, she was composed and quiet.