Thick As Thieves by Joan Smith Page B

door. It lent an aura of intrigue, all the slipping around. Of course, everyone and his dog knew what was going on. The crowds trailed after them everywhere they went. She was a handsome lady in her youth. Hair as yellow as corn. The nose a bit hooked, but a handsome lady withal.
    "That was before I went to sea. There is no fun at the pavilion nowadays, but if you ladies would like to see it, I shall take you to call, just to give you a look at it."
    We both expressed pleasure at this rare treat. With some concern for Dalton's reputation, I dropped a few hints as to how long he had known Mr. Dalton.
    "I have known him forever," he said. "The Daltons are a fine old Somerset family. They send two members up to Parliament. The family seat is called Gracemere—a lovely old Tudor castle, but all built up in other styles over the years. Richard, your neighbor, is the only son. He has made a fortune in investments. Of course, he did not start from the ground by a long shot. Always very well to grass, the Daltons."
    This recital calmed my fears for my jewels. Hennie took her beau out to see the garden before he left. No sooner were they out the door than Mr. Dalton came pelting in. "Have you heard?" he asked, his eyes wide open.
    I thought the prince must have died, or Boney escaped again, or something equally horrid. "What is it?" I demanded, clutching my heart.
    "Tom has struck again. He got away with a fine haul from Lady Harkness. She had most of her jewelry in a safety box, but, like myself, she had a sum of cash in her desk. A thousand pounds, I have heard mentioned."
    "Good God! When did it happen?"
    "That is the deuce of it; she don't know. She brought the money down with her a week ago from London and only went to take some out to pay her bills this morning. The box was empty. She was out two or three nights. In fact, she was at Lady Verona's party just last evening. The servants were at home and heard nothing."
    "Is it possible the servants took it?"
    "She has known them forever. She vouches for their honesty. No, it sounds like Tom's work. My own feeling is that it happened just last night. Officer Hutton, the constable, says the library door had been pried open. One would think someone would have noticed sooner if it happened before last night, although it seems the library is not much used. No one remembers having been in it yesterday, so I daresay it might have happened the night before last. I have sent a message off to Bow Street. Townshend will want to have an officer here if Tom has removed to Brighton."
    "Is my jewelry safe, Mr. Dalton?"
    "Yes, I checked it the moment I heard of this latest robbery."
    This gave me pause about asking for it back. Lord Brockley had vouched for Dalton. He and his sister were society's darlings, and now he had sent off for Bow Street. Surely this was not the behavior of a thief. And besides, I had no such safe place to keep it here as he had at his house. The bank was an alternative, of course, but one does not like to have to drive to the bank every time she wants to wear a necklace.
    He watched me closely, sensing my doubts, though not, I trust, the exact nature of them. "The decision is yours, of course, but I do feel your valuables are as safe at my house as in the bank, and a deal more convenient. Tom, like lightning, does not seem to strike the same place twice, and he has already robbed me."
    "I suppose you are right."
    "If you fear losing them all, you could place half of them in a bank safe. Then if either the bank or my house is hit, you will still have something to wear. In any case, you will get your money back. The things are insured, of course?"
    "No, I never bothered with that."
    His mouth fell open. He swallowed a couple of times and said in a weak voice, "I suggest you insure them at once."
    "Perhaps you are right," I agreed. Then if, by any chance, Mr. Dalton's first name was Tom, I would still get my money back. "I shall speak to an agent this very afternoon."
    "Best