“It seems pretty certain that the brooch went since then,” mused Mr. Bodfish.
“It would seem like it to a plain man,” said Mr. Negget, guardedly.
“I should like to see the box,” said Mr. Bodfish.
Mrs. Negget went up and fetched it and stood eyeing him eagerly as he raised the lid and inspected the contents. It contained only a few lozenges and some bone studs. Mr. Negget helped himself to a lozenge, and going back to his seat, breathed peppermint.
“Properly speaking, that ought not to have been touched,” said the ex-constable, regarding him with some severity.
“Eh!” said the startled farmer, putting his finger to his lips.
“Never mind,” said the other, shaking his head. “It’s too late now.”
“He doesn’t care a bit,” said Mrs. Negget, somewhat sadly. “He used to keep buttons in that box with the lozenges until one night he gave me one by mistake. Yes, you may laugh—I’m glad you can laugh.”
Mr. Negget, feeling that his mirth was certainly ill-timed, shook for some time in a noble effort to control himself, and despairing at length, went into the back place to recover. Sounds of blows indicative of Emma slapping him on the back did not add to Mrs. Negget’s serenity.
“The point is,” said the ex-constable, “could anybody have come into your room while you was asleep and taken it?”