The major's embarrassment did not grow less, which she seemed to resent.
"What is it you are trying to find words to hide? Violet, you at least are my friend. What is it that Major Reith does not wish me to know? Tell me, in two words, what has happened."
"Mr. Noel Draycott has been murdered."
There burst a chorus of exclamation from all the assembled people. One or two of the more sensitive feminine spirits shrieked. One elderly lady pressed boldly to the front, heedless of the fact that the state of deshabille that she was in disclosed an amazing absence of hair on her head:
"I don't know about anybody having been murdered, but I know that I've been robbed."
The hostess turned to her.
"Duchess!"
"Every bit of jewellery I brought with me has been stolen."
A feminine voice exclaimed:
"What! the Ditchling diamonds?"