With the head of his heavy walking stick Mr. Payton dealt the lock a number of sharp blows.
"I think perhaps now ... but I need something to pull it open with. There is no handle."
Foster, with great presence of mind, stepped out of the bathtub and handed Mr. Payton Baron Bloodshed's buttonhook, which had been spending the summer in his pocket with other curious items.
"Maybe this'll do."
"Ah, excellent, Foster, thank you. Yes, yes indeed.... Look!"
Mr. Payton pulled open the little drawer, which was lined with blue plush and filled with small labeled packets.
Hands reached out; Foster's grubby ones among them.
"No, wait a bit, wait a bit," Mr. Payton commanded. "I think the privilege should go to Mrs. Blake."
But Mrs. Blake said: "I think it should go to Lucy and Portia. They're the ones who found the safe."
Portia's fingers were shaking when she lifted the first packet out and read the label: "Mamma's Garnet Parure."