"The greatest of all possible news," answered Kelmare, "and one which concerns you, my dear fellow. You may not believe it, but it was discovered last evening that the Kilbenham-Greenthorpe wedding presents have all been stolen, including the fifty thousand sovereigns presented to the bride in the now famous jeweled casket. What do you think of that?" "Surely you must be joking," said Carrie incredulously. "I cannot believe it." "Nevertheless it’s a fact," replied Kelmare. "But when did it happen? and how did they discover it?" asked Carne. "When it took place nobody can tell, but they discovered it when they came to put the presents together after the guests had departed. On the morning after the wedding old Greenthorpe had visited the safe himself, and glanced casually at its contents, just to see that they were all right, you know; but it was not until the afternoon, when they began to do them up, that they discovered that every single article of value the place contained had been abstracted, and dummies substituted. Their investigation proved that the sky-light had been tampered with, and one could see unmistakable footmarks on the flower beds outside." "Good gracious!" said Carne. "This is news indeed. What a haul the thieves must have had, to be sure. I can scarcely believe it even now. But I thought they had a gardener in the room, a policeman at the door, and a patrol outside, and that old Greenthorpe went to sleep with the keys of the room and safe under his pillow?" "Quite right," said Kelmare, "so he did; that’s the mysterious part of it. The two chaps swear positively that they were wide awake all night, and that nothing was tampered with while they were there. Who the thieves were, and how they became so familiar with the place are riddles that it would puzzle the Sphinx, or your friend Klimo next door, to unravel." "What an unfortunate thing," said Carne. "It’s to be hoped the police will catch them before they have time to dispose of their booty." "You are thinking of your bracelet, I suppose?" "It may seem egotistical, but I must confess I was; and now I suppose you’ll stay to lunch?" "I’m afraid that’s impossible. There are at least five families who have not heard the news, and I feel that it is my bounden duty to enlighten them." "You’re quite right, it is not often a man has such glorious vengeance to chronicle. It behooves you to make the most of it." The other looked at Carne as if to discover whether or not he was laughing at him. Carne’s face, however, was quite expressionless. "Good-bye; I suppose you won’t be at the Wilbringham’s to-night?" "I’m afraid not. You evidently forget that, as I said just now, I have a very good and sufficient excuse." When the front door had closed behind his guest, Carne lit a third cigar.