'Replaced?'
'Indeed so.' Sir Terence frowned. 'I'm not quite sure how to begin.'
Faro was aware of a movement behind him. Roma Fortescue had entered the room. She was looking flushed and extremely pretty.
'Perhaps I should tell him, Terence.' And turning, she smiled at Faro. 'I took it -'
Sir Terence began to protest.
She held up her hand. 'Please - please let me explain.'
'If you would be so good, miss.'
'It's rather a long story. You see, we have a Horn of Plenty in the Palace, identical to your Luck o' Lethie and reputedly brought back by a band of Knights Templars who sought sanctuary with us from persecution in the thirteenth century. It was always understood, although there was no written evidence, of course, that it was part of the booty taken from King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and that they bequeathed it to those early rulers of Luxoria in gratitude for their hospitality.
'Our Royal Family have known poverty and hardships in the last few years, but despite pressure from the President, they have resisted any suggestions that it should be sold.'
She smiled. 'A superstitious man, knowing its reputation, he would be afraid to take it by force. What he is unaware of, however - as it is a closely guarded family secret - is that two hundred years ago the Horn of Plenty disappeared, and some time later miraculously reappeared. Whatever happened to it in the interval, whether it was stolen or sold, we have no idea -'
As she spoke, Faro remembered that two hundred years ago Major Weir, the wizard of the West Bow, appeared in Edinburgh, accompanied by a magic staff with a snake's head and amazing powers. Could they be one and the same?
'- This was an additional reason for this visit by Amelie,' Miss Fortescue continued, 'to find out if what we had was, in truth, the original Horn of Plenty. I'm afraid she considered that, regardless of its supposed powers, we could no longer be sentimental and that the time was now ripe for us to sell it.'
'Had you a buyer in mind?' Faro interrupted sharply.
She smiled. 'Indeed, yes. An American multi-millionaire with a young wife who is childless, and who knew of its legends, was very keen to possess it.'
'These supposed magic qualities,' said Faro, 'would they be altered by selling it? Surely that is the traditional belief - that such powers cannot be sold.'
Three faces turned towards him, frowning.
Miss Fortescue shrugged. ‘The family and Amelie herself believed most fervently in its fertility properties, it was an assurance of the continuation of the Royal dynasty. But they can no longer afford to be sentimental, they are in dire need of financial help. And without an heir they have no security; the President's power is limitless and he wields it, since they are still popular with the people, by keeping them alive but under what is in effect permanent house arrest.'
At Lady Lethie's sharp exclamation, Miss Fortescue turned and regarded her sadly. 'Yes, they are virtually prisoners, without hope of escape unless they can buy their freedom. The President is not popular. Money might also be put to a better purpose -to raise an army and overthrow him.’
She paused. 'I have no wish to sound disloyal, but it is well-known that your Queen is not only a very sentimental old lady, she is not averse to money - and to the power money brings,' she added candidly. The feeling was that she might even be persuaded to intervene - politically - in our present situation.'
Miss Fortescue regarded the listeners' faces anxiously, to see if the implications of what she was hinting at were clear to them. Then with a sigh, she continued: 'I have given the matter great thought. In Amelie's continued absence and on an impulse - which I assure you she would have approved of wholeheartedly - while you were away I decided to take the Luck o' Lethie to the jeweller in Edinburgh myself. You will have heard of him -'
The family name she mentioned was of international renown and they had been court jewellers for many generations.
'He studied the jewels in their setting and assured me they were undoubtedly genuine. "This piece," he told me, "is priceless."'
And, as if in echo of Faro's warning, she looked at Sir Terence.
'He asked me how it was kept, and when I told him in a glass cabinet, he threw up his hands in horror. He said it should be kept behind bars under lock and key.'
Sir Terence darted an uncomfortable glance in Faro's direction as she continued sadly: 'I knew then what I had rather expected to find out. That what we have treasured all these years in Luxoria is a worthless imitation.'
Pausing, she looked anxiously at the Lethies. 'I do hope you understand that I was not in the least influenced by this news and that I never entertained the slightest intention of stealing the Luck o' Lethie.'
Conscious of their guarded expressions, she shrugged. 'It was all very embarrassing. You would never have known of its very temporary absence if I had not been delayed by the storm and forced to take refuge -' Her glance slid off Faro - 'in Edinburgh overnight.’
Lady Lethie ran to her side and put a reassuring arm about her shoulders. 'Why didn't you tell us, Roma dear? We would have understood, wouldn't we, Terence? You should have confided in us, dear. We could have helped you.'
'I had a very good reason for silence,' said Miss Fortescue. 'Don't you see, if yours had been the imitation, then I certainly would never have told you. I would not have distressed you by destroying your family's belief in the Luck o' Lethie.'
She looked at Faro, her smile odd and faintly mocking. 'Luck is so often in the mind. What we make of circumstances, don't you agree, Inspector?'
Without waiting for his reply,
