Mr. Bonteen shook his head, and rather thought that, if he
were Home Secretary, he would have had the search made. Lady Chiltern said
that if policemen came to her, they might search everything she had in the
world. Mrs. Grey reminded them that all they really knew of the
unfortunate woman was that her jewel-box had been stolen out of her
bedroom at her hotel. Madame Goesler was of opinion that a lady who could
carry such a box about the country with her deserved to have it stolen.
Lord Fawn felt himself obliged to confess that he agreed altogether with
Madame Goesler. Unfortunately, he had been acquainted with the lady, and
now was constrained to say that her conduct had been such as to justify
the suspicions of the police.
"Of course we all suspect her," said Lady Glencora, "and of course we
suspect Lord George too; and Mrs. Carbuncle and Miss Roanoke. But then,
you know, if I were to lose my diamonds, people would suspect me just the
same, or perhaps Plantagenet. It is so delightful to think that a woman
has stolen her own property, and put all the police into a state of
ferment."
Lord Chiltern declared himself to be heartily sick of the whole subject;
and Mr.
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