She accordingly unlocked the bureau drawer, and also the larger box, which apparently was in exactly the same condition as when she had put it away.

But the inner box was empty and the necklace had absolutely disappeared.

Now, no one had seen the necklace for a year, and then only her husband, their servants, and two or three old friends.

No outsider could have known of its existence.

There was no evidence of the house or bureau having been disturbed.
A New York detective agency was at once retained, which sent one of its best men to the scene of the crime.