"And tell Miss Birtley I wish to see her before she leaves!"
"Miss Birtley, madam, left a quarter of an hour ago, at six o'clock," said Thrimby.
"Oh! Union rules, I suppose!" said Mrs. Haddington, with a disagreeable little laugh. "Very well, never mind! You can bring cocktails up to the drawing-room now!"
Thrimby bowed again, contriving to convey the information that he had had every intention of bringing cocktails up to the drawing-room, and that if his mistress wished for drinks half an hour in advance of the usual hour she should not only have them, but he would keep his inevitable reflections to himself. "And," said Mrs. Haddington, in the sharp tone that never failed to infuriate her servants, "I have lost my emerald brooch!"
Thrimby stiffened. "Indeed, madam? I am exceedingly sorry to hear it, and I can assure you -"
"I'm not accusing you of having stolen it! The safetycatch is loose, and it must have come undone. I am merely telling you that it is somewhere in the house, and must be found, when the rooms are swept in the morning."
"Certainly, madam. I will myself inform the maids," said Thrimby, preparing to descend again into the basement.
The drawing-room was empty when he presently brought up the cocktail-tray, but while he was still straightening cushions, and tidying the hearth, Mrs. Haddington came down from the second floor. There was a frown between her brows; she said: "Do you know if Miss Cynthia went out, Thrimby?"
"I couldn't say, madam."
"She didn't ask you to call her a taxi, or anything?"