"Was Mrs. Heredith's jewel-case in her bedroom the night she was murdered?" asked Colwyn. "Yes," responded Miss Heredith. "We found it on her toilet-table, where she usually kept it." "Did it contain valuable jewels?" "It contained a necklace of pearls which was given to poor Violet by Sir Philip," was the reply. "It is an old family necklace." "Then I agree with Mr. Heredith that the jewel case should be opened." "Very well. As you think it necessary, I will go to my room for the keys." Miss Heredith left the library, and returned in a few moments with a small bunch of keys in her hand. She went to the safe, unlocked it, and returned to the table bearing an oblong silver box of quaint design, with the portrait of a stout simpering lady in enamel on the cover. Miss Heredith directed Colwyn's attention to the portrait, remarking that it was a likeness of a princess of the reigning house, who had given it and the box to her great-uncle, Captain Sir Philip Heredith. "Her Royal Highness held my great-uncle in much esteem, Mr. Colwyn," she added, as she proceeded to fit one of the keys into the box. "He was one of the most famous of Nelson's captains. When he died the residents of his native town erected a memorial to him. It was inscribed with testimony to his worth in a civic, military, and Christian capacity, together with a text stating that he caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. Beneath the text was commemorated his feat in sinking the French frigate _L'Equille_, with every soul on board." "That hardly seems like causing the widow's heart to sing for joy," commented Musard. "The reference was to English widows, Vincent," replied Miss Heredith, proceeding to open the box with loving care. "At that period of our history we had not discovered the good qualities of the French people, which have endeared them to--Oh!" Miss Heredith broke off with a startled exclamation as the lid of the silver box fell back, revealing an empty interior. It is only in moments of complete surprise that the human face fails to keep up some semblance of guard over the inmost feelings. At the discovery that the jewel-case was empty Miss Heredith's dignity dropped from her like a falling garment, and she stared at the velvet interior with half-open mouth and an air of consternation on her face. "Oh!" she cried again, finding voice after a moment's tense silence. "The necklace is gone." "By heaven, this is amazing," muttered Musard. "I thought you said it was safe?" The speaker was Phil. He did not look at his aunt as he uttered this reproach, but gazed at the empty box with glowing eyes under drawn brows. "Phil, Phil, I thought it was safe--oh, I thought it was safe!" cried Miss Heredith almost hysterically. "Where is it gone? Who could have taken it? The box was locked when we saw it upstairs, and the day after the funeral I found Violet's keys at the back of the drawer where she always kept them."