"Certainly," replied Mrs. Kirmenbach. "I will call them in."
In turn Mr. Nichols questioned the chauffeur, the cook, and the maid. When he displayed the toy lantern, Ellen's face lighted.
"Why, I saw that toy this morning when I first went into the study," she said. "It was lying on the floor. I picked it up so that no one would stumble over it and fall."
"You dropped it on the davenport?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'd like to have you show me exactly where you found the lantern."
"Certainly, sir."
The maid led Mr. Nichols back to the study and indicated a place not far from the wall safe.
"Mr. Nichols, you don't think that the toy was left by the jewel thieves?" Mr. Kirmenbach asked in amazement.
"Do you know of any other way the lantern happened to be in this room?"