Page 14 of Murder at the Debutante Ballby

“If you would be so kind as to repeat it for us. We just want to make sure there have been no misunderstandings.”

She accepted his explanation with a nod. “Someone entered in the night and took it off the wall.”

“How did they get into the house?”

“No one knows. There were no signs of forced entry, so the police said. They think one of the staff left a latch off the hook, but the housekeeper and butler deny it.”

“You had a ball here just days before the theft.”

“It was a party, not a ball.”

“Did you do the catering yourself or hire a firm?”

“I used Searcys. They do much of the cooking and provide the extra staff.” She gasped. “You don’t think one of their employees did it, do you?”

“It’s too early to say. Do you have a guest list?”

“Good thinking, Mr. Armitage. One of my friends may have noticed a staff member acting suspiciously.” She stood and handed the cat to Harry.

Foxy looked annoyed at being disturbed until he stroked her head and back, then Foxy started kneading his thighs with her claws. After a moment, she closed her eyes and settled down, curling into a ball as he continued to pat.

Lady Quorne closed the drawer of the escritoire and waved a piece of paper in triumph. She handed it to Harry. “Foxy likes you.”

“She dug her claws into me.”

“That’s just her way of showing affection. You must be special. She’s friendly enough to most people but will only settle with a few.”

Foxy purred loudly in agreement then protested with a low growl when Harry returned the cat to her owner. Lady Quorne rang for the butler.

“One more thing,” Harry said. “Where can we find Searcys, the catering firm?”

Lady Quorne didn’t know so asked her butler. “Their office is above a teashop on the corner of Oxford and Holles Streets, sir,” he intoned.

Once safely outside and on the pavement, I raised the brim of my hat to reveal my entire face. “I told you I wouldn’t be recognized.”

“You seem to forget that she did.”

“But she couldn’t place me. As far as she’s concerned, I’m a maid she once hired for a party.”

“It was a close call. If we have to see her again, you shouldn’t come.”

I chose not to remind him that it wasn’t his decision to make. “I won’t do anything to jeopardize my situation, Harry. You have my word.”

He merely grunted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “See if you recognize any names on Lady Quorne’s guest list.” He handed me the paper with the names. There were two per line and twelve lines in total.

“I recognize six couples. They were also at the ball last night. I don’t know the others.” I tucked the list into my bag. “I’ll see what I can find out about all of them when I return to the hotel.”

“We should go to Searcys now.” He pulled out his watch by its chain and checked the time. “Do you have to be somewhere this afternoon?”

“My presence isn’t required until this evening. There’s a dinner I’m being dragged to with my family. Flossy is probably already getting ready now, but I only need a few minutes.” The sun hadn’t sunk behind the buildings yet. We should catch someone in the Searcys office before they went home for the day. I suddenly had a thought. “Wouldn’t it be fortuitous if Searcys is the caterer for tonight’s dinner?”

He stopped and rounded on me. “Do not investigate. Don’t question anyone, whether they be guests or staff. It’s too much of a risk with your uncle present.”

“I agree, and I wasn’t going to. I will merely observe and listen to gossip.”

According to the staff member on duty in the office, Searcys wasn’t the caterer for the dinner party I was attending that night. They’d been hired for other events, however, and she was run off her feet taking telephone calls from her clients with last minute demands. When she realized we weren’t potential clients, she asked us to return tomorrow morning when it was quieter.

Harry and I parted company on Oxford Street after agreeing to meet at his office in the morning.