“No, sir,” cried the boy. “I ran down directly to come and tell you.”
“Here! What are you going to do?” said the Doctor, as Singh moved quickly towards the fireplace.
“Ring for the police to be fetched,” cried Singh.
“Stop!” said the Doctor sternly. “And please recollect that I am master here.”
“But—”
“Silence, sir! Now come with me and Mr Severn up into your dormitory; and, until I give you leave, neither you nor Mr Severn will say a word to a soul.”
“But—”
“Did you hear me tell you, sir, to be silent?” cried the Doctor, in his deepest and most commanding tones. “If there has been a theft committed, which I greatly doubt, this jewel or jewels must be recovered. Such an ornament, if taken by a thief, could not easily be disposed of, and we must first have a calm and quiet investigation of what will in all probability prove to be a mistake.—What do you think, Mr Severn?”
“I think it is a mistake, sir.”
“Then come with me up into your room, and I desire that you both treat the matter in a calm and thoughtful way. I cannot have a matter of this kind made into a piece of gossiping scandal.—Mr Severn, will you be kind enough to open the door?”