“I can answer that one,” I said. “I broke an arm off, accidentally. I took it with me, planning to have it repaired and replace it. I didn’t think it would be noticed among so many knickknacks.”

“Apparently it’s eighth century.”

“Gosh, is it?” I swallowed hard. “As to the other things. I remember dusting a glass-topped table full of miniatures, but I don’t think any were missing, or I’d have noticed the gaps. And I really can’t remember seeing a silver coffeepot or a salver.”

I noticed he was looking around the room, as if he expected to see the coffeepot hidden behind the ormolu clock.

“You did say you were short of funds, my lady. Maybe the temptation was just too great.”

I felt a Great-grandmother impersonation coming on. “Chief Inspector, did you ever steal anything?”

He smiled. “Scrumping apples from a nearby orchard when I was a small boy.”

“When I was three I took one of Cook’s shortbread biscuits from the rack where they were cooling. They had just come out of the oven and were still hot. I burned my mouth. I have never taken anything since. But you are most welcome to search this house if you choose.”

“I take your word for it. Besides, a pawnbroker or jeweler would remember someone like you coming into his shop.”

“You’re confident the items will show up at a pawnshop or jeweler’s?”

“Unless the thief is a pro, then they’d be handed over to a proper fence. But we’ve got our spies working that aspect as well. One of the items will appear somewhere before long, you’ll see.”

“You don’t think the thief is a professional?”

“Not worth his while. If he gained access to the house, why limit himself to a few items when there was plenty of more valuable stuff there for the taking? This was someone who seized the opportunity to grab a few things. So let me ask you—were you alone in the house the whole time?”

I opened my mouth but no sound would come out. I couldn’t tell him about Darcy’s visit without getting myself into deep trouble. Because Darcy would say that he had come to visit me and then the Featherstonehaughs would know that I’d been cleaning their house and it would be all around London in two seconds and at the palace in three.

“Not all the time,” I said carefully, trying to avoid a complete lie. “The Featherstonehaughs’ son came in at one stage with one of his friends.”

“And saw you?”

“He didn’t recognize me. I was on my hands and knees at the time and I made sure I didn’t look up. Besides, nobody looks twice at servants.”

“When you left did you lock the front door?”