He next proposed to his cousin and to me to make quite sure, before we took any further steps, that the Diamond had not accidentally dropped somewhere out of sight--say at the back of the cabinet, or down behind the table on which the cabinet stood.

Having searched in both places, and found nothing--having also questioned Penelope, and discovered from her no more than the little she had already told me--Mr.Franklin suggested next extending our inquiries to Miss Rachel, and sent Penelope to knock at her bed-room door.
My lady answered the knock, and closed the door behind her.

The moment after we heard it locked inside by Miss Rachel.

My mistress came out among us, looking sorely puzzled and distressed.

"The loss of the Diamond seems to have quite overwhelmed Rachel," she said, in reply to Mr.Franklin.