“I—no, I had no reason to look for it. I wouldn’t have brought it here!”

“No.” He considered how much to tell her about how and where the brooch was found, then said instead, “How could you be so certain it was your mother’s brooch?”

“It has to be—my father had it made up as his wedding gift to her. There couldn’t be another like it.”

“You didn’t need to read the inscription on the back?”

“What inscription?”

“There’s a name. ‘MacDonald.’ Just under the pin.”

She frowned. “Are you trying to trick me?”

“Why should I?”

“Because there’s no inscription on the brooch. There never was.”

“There are six people who could tell you the name is engraved there. I’m one of them.”

Frightened, Fiona said, “Will you take me to the inn? Please? Will you let me go there and see for myself? It has to be there—! ”

“Oliver won’t let you go. But I’ll look. You’re sure that it’s kept in the sandalwood box?”

Her face answered him.

“Then I’ll bring the box to you,” he told her. “Unopened.”

He turned and went out the door, locking it behind him and then pocketing the key.

Oliver looked up as Rutledge came down the passage. He said, “Finished?”

“No. I need to fetch my notes. I’d like to read Mrs. Atwood’s statement to Miss MacDonald.”

“Suit yourself.”

Rutledge went out the station door and walked briskly in the direction of the hotel. Damn—he had forgotten that his motorcar was not there.

He reached The Reivers out of breath from the brisk pace he’d set himself. Please God Drummond is at home—! He has the other key.

Rutledge knocked at the door of Drummond’s house, and to his relief saw that his quarry was there.

“Come outside. I need to speak to you.”

“What about?” Drummond demanded, not moving from the doorway.

“Come outside, I tell you! Unless you’re willing to shout to the world what this is about.” A clear reference to his sister. Reluctantly, Drummond obeyed.

“Look, I need to go to the inn and search again. I want a witness there when I do. And I don’t want that witness to be a policeman. Or someone who is unfriendly to Miss MacDonald. Will you help me? Will you unlock the door and come with me?”

“I won’t.”

“Don’t be a bloody fool! I need to get into that inn— time’s short!”

“Ask Inspector Oliver to lend you his key.” Drummond read the answer in Rutledge’s face, and it seemed to persuade him. “All right, then. If it’s a trick, I’ll kill you with my bare hands!”

“It’s not a trick.” They walked quickly to the inn, and Drummond took out his key. Unlocking the door, he blocked the way.

“Tell me where.”