After a while anger replaced his initial shock. ‘You think Serafina has stolen it . . . that’s nonsense.’ ‘There’s no other explanation, Adam.’ ‘Of course there is, there has got to be . . . you just haven’t found it, and the constables are pursuing the easiest and most obvious suspect. Where is Serafina?’ ‘She’s either in her rooms, or doing the laundry work, or perhaps she’s gone up to the woods. She avoids me and only comes out to clean when I’m out. I feel so guilty when I run into her. Maggie and Fanny are looking after me. Maggie won’t hear a word against her, and Fanny keeps snivelling. Even Oscar has a disapproving tone in his voice. Damn it, Adam. It’s not my fault that this has happened.’ ‘Isn’t it? If the jewellery hadn’t been left in plain view to tempt people, it wouldn’t have been stolen. How do you know I didn’t take it while I was here?’ ‘Did you?’ ‘No . . . but if I had I wouldn’t have hidden it in Serafina’s purse, or in a storage box disguised as a book .
