“Everywhere. Most seemed to have been opened with keys, but some were broken. The place was turned upside down, but, as I said before, not a thing was missing. A very old woman, very deaf, who used to be my housekeeper, but who does nothing now, was in the house, and so was my general servant. They slept in rooms at the top, and were not disturbed. Of course the old woman is too deaf to have heard anything, and the maid is a very heavy sleeper. The girl was very frightened, but I pacified her before I came away. As it happened, I took the snuff-box with me. I had got very suspicious of late, of course, and something seemed to suggest that I had better make sure of it, so I took it. It’s pretty strong evidence that they have been watching me closely, isn’t it, that they should break in the very first night I left the place?” “And are you quite sure that nothing has been taken?” “Quite certain. I have spent a long time in a very careful search.” “And you want me, I presume, to find out definitely who these people are, and get such evidence as may ensure their being punished?” “That is the case. Of course I know Reuben Penner is the moving spirit--I’m quite certain of that. But still I can see plainly enough that as yet there’s no legal evidence of it. Mind, I’m not afraid of him--not a bit. That is not my character. I’m not afraid of all the madmen in England; but I’m not going to have them steal my property--this snuff-box especially.” “Precisely. I hope you have left the disturbance in your house exactly as you found it?” “Oh, of course, and I have given strict orders that nothing is to be touched. To-morrow morning I should like you to come and look at it.” “I must look at it, certainly,” Hewitt said, “but I would rather go at once.” “Pooh--nonsense!” Mrs. Mallett answered, with the airy obstinacy that Hewitt afterwards knew so well. “I’m not going home again now to spend an hour or two more. My sister will want to know what has become of me, and she mustn’t suspect that anything is wrong, or it may do all sorts of harm. The place will keep till the morning, and I have the snuff-box safe with me. You have my card, Mr. Hewitt, haven’t you? Very well. Can you be at my house to-morrow morning at half-past ten? I will be there, and you can see all you want by daylight. We’ll consider that settled. Good-day.”