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The maid replaced the case in the safe, but she could not turn the key

"You must be quick I am afraid I'm late," said the countess

"I can't turn the key, leford rose and tried to turn it, but the key remained

obstinately immovable

"Knock at the earl's door and ask hih to come to

me," she said

The maid did so, and Drake came in

"I can't lock the safe, Drake," said the countess "I am so sorry to

trouble you"

"It's no trouble," he responded "Literally none," he added, with a

short laugh "You hadn't quite closed the door See?"

"We were stupid How like a woman!" she said penitently

"Take care of the key," he said "The diamonds had better be sent to the

bank the day after to-ain soon"

"No," she said "They make such a fuss about them; and--well, they are

rather too much of a blaze for such a little woman as I am"