The marks from the smear on the door must be on some article of dress belonging to somebody in this house.

We must discover that article of dress before we go a step further." "And that discovery," remarked my mistress, "implies, I presume, the discovery of the thief ?" "I beg your ladyship's pardon--I don't say the Diamond is stolen.

I only say, at present, that the Diamond is missing.

The discovery of the stained dress may lead the way to finding it." Her ladyship looked at me.

"Do you understand this ?" she said.
"Sergeant Cuff understands it, my lady," I answered.
"How do you propose to discover the stained dress ?" inquired my mistress, addressing herself once more to the Sergeant.