the stage where we can think of everything," observed
Starmidge. "We've got to take things as they come. Well--there's one
thing can be done now," he went on, looking at the Earl, "if your
lordship'll be kind enough to do it."

"I'll do anything that I can," replied Lord Ellersdeane. "What is it?"

"If your lordship would just make a call on the two Mr. Chestermarkes,"
suggested Starmidge. "To tell them, of course, of--that," he added,
pointing to the empty casket. "Your lordship will get some attention--I
suppose. They won't give any attention to Polke or myself. If your
lordship would just tell them that your casket--emptied of its valuable
contents--had been found hidden in Mrs. Carswell's room, perhaps they'll
listen, and--what is much more important--give you their views on the
matter. I," concluded Starmidge, drily, "should very much like to hear
them!"

The Earl made a wry face.

"Oh, all right!" he answered. "If I must, I must. It's not a job that
appeals to me, but--very well. I'll go now."

"And we," said Starmidge, turning to Polke, "had better join the others
and see if the old antiquary gentleman has found any of these secret
places he talked of."

Lord Ellersdeane found no difficulty in obtaining access to the
partners: he was shown into their room with all due ceremony as soon as
Shirley announced him. He found them evidently relaxing a little after
their lunch, from which they had just returned. They were standing in
characteristic attitudes; Gabriel, smoking a cigar, bolt upright on the
hearth-rug beneath the portrait of his ancestor; Joseph, toying with a
scented cigarette, leaning against the window which looked out on the
garden. For once in a way both seemed more amenable and cordial.

The Earl held out the empty casket.

"This," he said, "is the casket in which I handed my wife's jewels to
Mr. Horbury. It is, as you see, empty. It has just been found by the
Scotland Yard man, Starmidge."

Gabriel glanced at the casket with some interest; Joseph, with none:
neither spoke.

"In the housekeeper's room--hidden in her fire-place," continued the
Earl, looking from one partner to the other. "That shows, gentlemen,
that the jewels were, after all, in this house--on these premises."

"There has never been any question of that," said Gabriel quickly. "We,
of course, never doubted what your lordship was good enough to tell
us--naturally!"

"Not for a moment!" said Joseph. "We felt at once that