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superstition, otherwise they would never have parted with it. Though mother says I am sceptical of its powers, which I am, I would never dream of parting with it, whatever its monetary value.’
    At that moment, in contradiction to Bassett’s very words. Sir Hugh burst into the room.
    â€˜The dagger—it’s gone,’ his voice rang through the room.
    All eyes turned towards him, shocked.
    Bassett was the first to recover.
    â€˜What do you mean, father, gone?’
    Sir Hugh spread his hands helplessly.
    â€˜It’s just gone from the cabinet.’
    Bassett strode from the room and with one accord we all rose and followed him.
    â€˜Someone must have stolen it,’ decided Lady Courtney. ‘We shall find out who the thief is.’ And with a shock I saw she glanced at me.
    We reached the treasure room. Bassett was already standing before the glass cabinet staring at the empty black velvet cushion, a puzzled frown on his face.
    â€˜Peculiar,’ he murmured, ‘most peculiar. The cabinet is intact. Not a mark on it, the thief must have found a key.’
    He turned to Lady Courtney.
    â€˜Mother, you keep the third key. Mine is here,’ he held his key in the palm of his broad hand, having taken it from his waistcoat pocket. ‘And father has his.’
    â€˜I will see if mine is in its usual place.’ And she left us.
    â€˜Dear, dear, what can have happened?’ Sir Hugh dithered. ‘The dagger gone, misfortune will befall us now, for certain.’
    â€˜Now, father, it may be all right. Don’t distress yourself,’ said Bassett, though the worried expression never left his face.
    â€˜We must question the servants,’ said Sir Hugh. ‘ No one can get into the house and up here without us knowing. And besides, who knew where to find a key?’
    Lady Courtney returned.
    â€˜My key is here, but it was in a slightly different place to its normal position.’ Her voice rang down the long gallery, whilst the Courtney ancestors seemed to listen from their portraits.
    â€˜Someone borrowed it and then returned it, hoping it would not be noticed.’
    â€˜But who? An outsider would not risk creeping about the house like that,’ said Bassett.
    â€˜Then it must be someone in the house,’ said Lady Courtney, triumphantly.
    Millicent moved forward and laid her hand on Bassett’s arm raising her troubled eyes appealingly to his face.
    â€˜Bassett, dear, I hate to say this, but—but …’ she whispered.
    â€˜What is it, Millicent?’ Bassett’s tone was sharp with impatience.
    â€˜I saw Louella come out of this room with the dagger this morning.’
    â€˜No, no,’ I cried. ‘I have never touched the dagger.’
    I was stunned. How could she tell such lies? I had known her to be my enemy, but this was beyond normal dislike. This was hatred, vicious and cruel.
    â€˜Be quiet, girl,’ rapped Lady Courtney, whilst everyone else seemed shocked to silence. I felt Georgiana move to my side. But I hardly knew what this dreadful thing was that had happened to me. My instinct told me that my enemies had planned this mischief to disgrace me.
    Georgiana took my hand and faced the rest of them.
    â€˜Of course she didn’t steal it, how can you think such a thing? Bassett, you don’t believe it, do you?’
    But Bassett did not answer her. He merely watched my face, an unreadable expression on his.
    â€˜Georgiana, hold your tongue. How dare you contradict your cousin Millicent and side with that—that mischief-maker?’ Lady Courtney almost spat the words at me, she was so angry.
    I could not speak. I was so shocked. I would never have believed that anyone hated me enough to play this sort of trick, and to tamper with Bassett’s prize possession. It was too much. But at least I knew what sort of person I was up against. Their mind was cruel and merciless, so great was their