They've
taken jewels, and, no doubt, money, if there was any. They don't mostly
come unless they know what they comes for."
With a horrid spasm across her heart, which seemed really to kill her, so
sharp was the pain, Lizzie recovered the use of her legs and followed Mrs.
Carbuncle into the dining-room. She had been hardly conscious of hearing;
but she had heard, and it had seemed to her that the robbery spoken of was
something distinct from her own affair. The policeman did not speak of
having found the diamonds. It was of something lost that they spoke. She
seated herself in a chair against the wall, but did not utter a word.
"We've been up-stairs, my lady, and they've been in most of the rooms.
There's a desk broke open." Lizzie gave an involuntary little scream.
"Yes, mum, a desk," continued the policeman turning to Lizzie," and a
bureau, and a dressing-case. What's gone your ladyship can tell when you
sees. And one of the young women is off. It's she as done it." Then the
cook explained. She and the housemaid, and Mrs. Carbuncle's lady's maid,
had just stepped out, only round the corner, to get a little air, leaving
Patience Crabstick in charge of the house; and when they came back, the
area gate was locked against them, the front door was locked, and finding
themselves unable to get in after many knockings, they had at last
obtained the assistance of a policeman.
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