"Thanks from you, my lady, would be a sufficient reward."
I am no Communist, and am quite satisfied with my position in life; but only imagine a stone which I could easily slip into my waistcoat pocket being worth such a large sum of money. Will one of your chartered accountants please compute how many individuals could be made independent if not happy for life with the amount mentioned? One hundred cottages could, I suppose, be built for something like £25,000.
On reaching the Norfolk house my letter to the butler received every attention, and I was soon installed in a good room of the bachelors' quarter, and I arranged to have my meals served in an adjoining sitting-room. I had some ground plans with me, borrowed for the occasion, which I took care to leave open on the table for the inspection of inquisitive servants.
There was a large staff of servants, male and female, and I took steps to satisfy myself that the "Rajah" had not been accidentally hidden amongst their belongings. This was a work of care and time. How did I manage it? That is my secret. No dresses were left rumpled nor coats unfolded, and not one of the servants was a whit the wiser.
From the time the diamond was replaced in the safe to the day of its disappearance there had been no visitors in the house, and Lord B—— had not been from home.
As the opportunity occurred, I made a minute search in the room occupied by his lordship, but without any success.
"Rather dull here," I said to Lord B—— 's confidential servant one day. "You could do with a little amusement."
"That we could, sir," he said. "Times are changed since his lordship became an invalid."
"You were not accustomed in former times to let the grass grow under your feet?"