Her eye now fell on the box, the lid awry.

She remembered that this lid had been in that same position when she had ordered the intruder from the room, and that, at the time, she had thought it strange that Lady Barbara, always so careful, had not fastened it to keep the dust from its contents.

Stooping closer, she examined the various articles.

She noted that one sleeve of the lace blouse had been lifted from its place, while the other sleeve remained snug where her mistress had tucked it.

In pulling out one of the upper pieces, this sleeve must have been caught in its meshes and dragged clear.