After informing her that the Diamond must have been taken by somebody in the house, he requested permission for himself and his men to search the servants' rooms and boxes on the spot.

My good mistress, like the generous high-bred woman she was, refused to let us be treated like thieves.

"I will never consent to make such a return as that," she said, "for all I owe to the faithful servants who are employed in my house." Mr.Superintendent made his bow, with a look in my direction, which said plainly, "Why employ me, if you are to tie my hands in this way ?" As head of the servants, I felt directly that we were bound, in justice to all parties, not to profit by our mistress's generosity.

"We gratefully thank your ladyship," I said; "but we ask your permission to do what is right in this matter by giving up our keys.

When Gabriel Betteredge sets the example," says I, stopping Superintendent Seegrave at the door, "the rest of the servants will follow, I promise you.