As she enters FRANKLIN'S room, MISS CLACK appears below at the hall door, with her bag on her arm, returning from the town.)
Miss Clack. In all my experience, I have never met with anything so disheartening to an earnest worker as the worldly tone of mind which pervades this household. Nobody is interested in the progress of the Branch-Mothers'-Small-Clothes-Conversion-Society. They are all absorbed in vain regret for the loss of the diamond. Ah! If we are to mourn, let it be over our obdurate fellow-creatures--our lost human diamonds by the wayside! (She places her bag of tracts on a chair.) How I miss dear Mr. Godfrey's ready sympathy! I fancy his manner has been more than usually affectionate towards me of late. I wonder where he is? (She calls off at the hall door.) Penelope! (PENELOPE enters sulkily.) Has Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite gone out?
Penelope. Yes, miss.
Miss Clack. You don't know when he will return?
Penelope. No, miss. (Aside.) I believe she's sweet on Mr. Godfrey--at her time of life!
Miss Clack. Is Miss Rachel in her room?
Penelope. I suppose so. (Aside.) How many more questions, I wonder!
Miss Clack (eyeing PENELOPE'S cap ribbons). Have you read your tract, Penelope? Are you aware of the enormity of your cap ribbons?
Penelope. No, miss. (She produces the tract.) If this "Word with Me on my Cap Ribbons" is written by a man, he is an impudent fellow, and he knows nothing about it! If it's written by a woman, I know what is going on in her mind--she would be only too glad to wear the ribbons herself! (She offers the tract back.) Please to take it back, miss.
Miss Clack (receiving the tract in her sweetest manner).You will ask me for it again before I have done with you.
Penelope. I shan't!
Miss Clack. Oh, yes, you will. It's no use being impudent to me. The more impudent you are, my poor girl, the more interested I feel in you. (PENELOPE attempts to speak.) No, you young castaway, you don't offend me! You present plenty of obstructive material to work upon.
Penelope. I won't be called names! I'm not an Obstructive Material! I shall complain to my mistress! (She goes out indignantly.)
Miss Clack (alone, in high triumph). A thoroughly bad girl--how very encouraging!--a thoroughly bad girl. (She goes to RACHEL'S door, and knocks.) Rachel! Rachel, dear! (No answer.) Perhaps she is asleep? I'll go in and see. (MISS CLACK opens the door and enters RACHEL'S room. RACHEL appears in the gallery, at FRANKLIN'S door, and sees that the hall is empty, and descends the stairs, with FRANKLIN'S dressing-gown over her arm.)
Rachel. The stain is on his dressing-gown! I have saved from exposure a degraded wretch who is unworthy of my interest--unworthy of my pity. Oh, how ashamed of myself I feel! I never knew how meanly I could behave until now. (She looks at the dressing-gown.) How am I to destroy it! I might burn it when the house is quiet for the night. In the meantime, where can I find a safe place for it? Nobody will venture to search my room--I can hide it there. (She advances to her room, and is met by MISS CLACK coming out.)
Miss Clack. I have been looking for you, dearest. I am just back from my mission in the town. (She notices the dressing-gown, which RACHEL tries vainly to conceal.) Dear me! What have you got hanging over your arm? (CUFF enters by the hall door, and stops, seeing RACHEL in the company of a lady who is a stranger to him. MISS CLACK goes on.) It looks like a dressing-gown!
Cuff (to himself, hearing MISS CLACK'S last words). A dressing-gown?
Rachel (impatiently). Never mind what it looks like! (She tries to pass to her room.) Let me by!
Cuff (to himself, struck by RACHEL'S manner). Hullo!
Miss Clack. I meant no offence, Rachel. It was only natural I should notice the dressing-gown hanging over your arm. Why are you angry with me?
Rachel (pushing by her). Don't talk nonsense! (She enters her room, and closes the door sharply.)
Miss Clack. First insulted by Penelope, and now insulted by Rachel! Two trials to pass through--two offences to forgive. Oh, what a happy day! (She turns, sees CUFF, and starts.) Who is this? (To CUFF.) Are you a clergyman, sir?
Cuff (to himself). There's a compliment! (To MISS CLACK.) I am only a police-officer, ma'am.
Miss Clack (modestly). Not "ma'am," if you please. I am not married--yet.
Cuff. I beg your pardon, miss.
Miss Clack. Are you here about the diamond, sir?
Cuff. Yes, miss. I'm to find out who has stolen the diamond.
Miss Clack (resignedly, speaking to herself). I am quite prepared to be suspected! (To CUFF.) Is there any harm, Mr. Policeman, in my going to take off my bonnet in my own room?
Cuff. Not in the least, miss!
Miss Clack (humbly). Thank you, sir! (She ascends to the gallery, and goes off on the left. CUFF walks thoughtfully to and fro, whistling the first notes of his favourite air. As MISS CLACK disappears, he speaks.)
Cuff. The linen for the wash has wasted my time, and has told me nothing. Thanks to that extraordinary female, I know what article of clothing to examine next. Miss Rachel's own conduct associates the dressing-gown with the smear on the varnish. Why was she so angry when that polite spinster noticed the dressing-gown? And what was she doing with a dressing-gown at this time of day? (FRANKLIN and BETTEREDGE enter by the hall door.)
Betteredge (to CUFF). I have found Mr. Franklin, sir. Here he is!
Franklin. I have been looking for you in all the wrong places, Sergeant. What are you doing here? What about the missing diamond?
Cuff. I have failed to find the diamond, so far, sir; and I came here to ask for a minute's conversation with Miss Rachel.
Franklin. Where is she? In her own room? (He knocks at the door.) Rachel!
Rachel (suddenly opening the door, and speaking eagerly). Franklin's voice! (She sees CUFF and BETTEREDGE, and drawing back, speaks aside.) I thought he had come to confess everything! (To FRANKLIN, sharply.) Why am I disturbed?
Cuff (interposing). It is my duty to inform you, miss, that the examination of the linen has led to nothing. I have made up my mind to look at the servants' wardrobes next.
Rachel. I won't allow it! It's an insult to my honest servants.
Betteredge. Thank you kindly, Miss Rachel! But it had better be done, for all that.
Cuff. I am as anxious to consult the servants' feelings as you are, miss. I propose that you and the gentlefolks staying in the house should set the example, and offer your wardrobes to be examined first.
Franklin. An excellent notion! The servants can't complain if we do that.
Rachel (with a furious look at FRANKLIN). I refuse to let my wardrobe be examined! I refuse to let this shameful farce go on any longer.
Cuff. Please reflect, miss, before you decide. I have undertaken to conduct this inquiry, and I have a duty to perform to my employer here. (He indicates FRANKLIN.)
Rachel (suddenly stepping up to CUFF).Your employer? Do you mean to tell me Mr. Franklin Blake sent for you?
Franklin. Certainly, Rachel, I sent for him.
Rachel.