rs. Carbuncle to herself. Lizzie didn't speak, but
still hung on to Mrs. Carbuncle's arm, and Lucinda, having seen how
it was, was also supporting her. A policeman stepped forward and
touched his hat. He was not Bunfit;--neither was he Gager. Indeed,
though the ladies had not perceived the difference, he was not at all
like Bunfit or Gager. This man was dressed in a policeman's uniform,
whereas Bunfit and Gager always wore plain clothes. "My lady," said
the policeman, addressing Mrs. Carbuncle, "there's been a robbery
here."

"A robbery!" ejaculated Mrs. Carbuncle.

"Yes, my lady. The servants all out,--all to one; and she's off.
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 ready 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 policemen 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. He had got
into the place over the area gate, had opened the front door from
within, and then the robbery had been discovered. It was afterwards
found that the servants had all gone out to what they called a
tea-party, at a public-house in the neighbourhood, and that by
previous agreement Patience Crabstick had remained in charge. When
they came back Patience Crabstick was gone, and the desk, and bureau,
and dressing-case,