She got into the drawing-room first, and I followed close on her heels.

My mistress was standing alone on the hearth-rug, with an appearance of great discomposure in her face and manner.
"I have been robbed!" she said, vehemently, "I don't know when or how; but I miss a pair of bracelets, three rings, and a quantity of old-fashioned lace pocket-handkerchiefs." "If you have any suspicions, ma'am," said Josephine, in a sharp, sudden way, "say who they point at.

My boxes, for one, are quite at your disposal." "Who asked about your boxes ?" said my mistress, angrily.

"Be a little less ready with your answer, if you please, the next time I speak." She then turned to me, and began explaining the circumstances under which she had discovered her loss.

I suggested that the missing things should be well searched for first, and then, if nothing came of that, that I should go for the constable, and place the matter under his direction.
My mistress agreed to this plan, and the search was undertaken immediately.