To the
superintendent of police it was by no means sure that Lord George himself
might not be fond of diamonds. Of a suspicion flying so delightfully high
as this, he breathed no word to any one; but simply suggested that he
should like to retain the companionship of one of the party. If Lady
Eustace could dispense with the services of the tall footman, the tall
footman might be found useful at Carlisle. It was arranged, therefore,
that the tall footman should remain; and the tall footman did remain,
though not with his own consent. The whole party, including Lady Eustace
herself and Patience Crabstick, were called upon to give their evidence to
the Carlisle magistrates before they could proceed to London. This Lizzie
did, having the necklace at that moment locked up in her desk at the inn.
The diamonds were supposed to be worth ten thousand pounds. There was to
be a lawsuit about them. She did not for a moment doubt that they were her
property. She had been very careful about the diamonds because of the
lawsuit. Fearing that Mr. Camperdown might wrest them from her possession,
she had caused the iron box to be made. She had last seen the diamonds on
the evening before her departure from Portray.
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