“It is morning now,” he said, with a yawn; “burglars do not come in broad daylight; the jewels can lie with perfect safety in your dressing-room till we get up. Now I am going to tumble into bed as fast as ever I can.” He went into his dressing-room as he spoke, and Nancy rather slowly and with a certain unwillingness, which she could not account for, went to hers. To her surprise and by no means to her pleasure, Hester, looking pale and worn, was waiting for her. “Why are you here, Hester?” exclaimed her mistress. “I particularly told you that I did not wish you to stay up.” There was some annoyance in Nancy’s gentle voice. “Yes, ma’am, you are very kind and thoughtful,” replied the maid, lowering her eyes as was her invariable habit, “but I could not possibly let you unlace your dress.” “My husband could have done it. I really wish you had obeyed me,” said Nance. “Well, as you are up you had better do what is necessary. Please give me my jewel-case from the dressing-table; I want to put the pearls and this diamond into it.” Hester took up a beautiful morocco jewel-case, unlocked it and held it out before her mistress. Nancy put the string of pearls and the diamond in the top compartment of the case. “It is a queer, uncanny sort of stone,” remarked Hester, looking at the black diamond as she spoke. Nancy did not reply. Hester locked the case and gave her mistress the key. “If you have no objection, ma’am,” she said, after a pause, “would it not be best to put this case into the safe?” “No; it is quite unnecessary,” replied Nancy: “you can put it on the shelf in my wardrobe; and if you are nervous you can give me the key of the wardrobe.” “I will certainly do so, ma’am; it is really not wise to have jewel-cases of this sort about when burglars are known to be in the neighbourhood.” “I am perfectly sick of the subject of those tiresome burglars,” said Nancy. Hester made no remark at all to this, and soon afterwards left her mistress. * * * * * The tired household slept long and late, unsuspicious of any danger. It was between nine and ten the following morning when Nancy suddenly opened her eyes. She started up in bed, and was about to ring her bell to summon Hester, when the young woman hurriedly opened the bedroom door and stood on the threshold with a scared and absolutely deathlike face. “Oh, madam, I’m so glad you are awake,” she said. “Vickers said you ought certainly to be aroused at once, and yet I did not like to do it.” “What is the matter, Hester? How terrified you look!” cried Nancy. “Oh, I am, madam. Please will you wake Mr. Rowton; Vickers wishes to see him immediately.” “Go into my dressing-room. I’ll be there in no time,” said Nancy. Hester closed the bedroom door softly behind her. “Adrian, dear, wake; you are wanted at once,” cried Nancy. Rowton opened his eyes with a start. “What is it?” he cried.