The Prince, always an early riser, was up at eight o’clock, and was already dressed when Charles entered his room.
“Well?” he inquired, as was his habit.
“There’s a rare to-do below,” exclaimed the valet. “The whole house has been ransacked in the night, and a clean sweep made of all the jewellery. The old woman is asking to see you at once.”
Without ado, his Highness descended, sending Charles along to alarm the Parson.
In the morning-room he found the widow, with the two male guests and two ladies, assembled in excited conclave. As he entered, his hostess rushed towards him, saying:
“Oh, Prince! A most terrible thing has happened! Every scrap of jewellery, including my tiara and necklet, has been stolen!”
“Stolen!” he gasped, pretending not to have heard the news.
“Yes. I placed them myself in the safe in the butler’s pantry, together with several cases the maids brought me from my guests. I locked them up just after one o’clock and took the key. Here it is. It has never left my possession. I—”
She was at that moment interrupted by the entrance of the Parson, who, having heard of the robbery from the servants, began:
“My de-ah Mrs Edmondson. This is really a most untoward circumstance—most—”