"On the contrary, it is quite a secret."
"Your maid knows?"
"Ann Gregory does not count; she can be trusted. She has been in the family all her life, first with my father, and on my marriage she came with me."
"I understand that the knowledge of the loss has been withheld from his lordship; have you any reason to suppose that he is aware of the fact?"
"Any sudden shock might seriously affect Lord B——, and until all my efforts to find the 'Rajah' had failed, I did not propose to mention the matter to him; still I am not quite sure that he does not know the diamond has disappeared. Since I first missed the stone, a week ago yesterday, Lord B—— has been to the safe twice, and, although he said nothing, after these visits he appeared much depressed."
"When did your ladyship last see the diamond?"
"Exactly ten days ago. I wore it at Court, and on my return to Norfolk I put it in the safe myself. Lord B—— happened to be present, and with a pair of pincers he took the stone out of its setting, after which I placed it in the case marked 'Rajah.'"
"Such a valuable diamond must be found. If your ladyship will kindly give me a line to your butler I will go down to Norfolk as a sanitary inspector, and when I have any good news to communicate, I will ask to see you."
"Certainly. I return to-morrow, and will remain in Norfolk three weeks. I need not say to you that the recovery of a stone worth £25,000 will meet with a suitable acknowledgment."