Mr. Darling's eyes happened to wander past Edith to glance at the room that she was desperately trying to conceal. His eyes widened, and he took in a sharp breath. He looked back at Edith. "What happened?" He asked quietly, concealing whatever surprise he felt.

Edith was disconcerted that she had already failed at hiding the secret from one person, though she was glad that he had the tact not to alert anyone else.

"Are you well?" he continued in almost a whisper. "What is the matter? You look pale."

Without much thought, Edith reached forward and pulled him into the display room as swiftly and silently as she could. She closed the door behind him, turning the inside latch to lock it. She could at the very least keep the rest of the party guests from knowledge of the matter.

Mr. Darling turned from looking at her in alarm to staring wide-eyed at the broken display case. "The crown is gone," he muttered.

Edith considered telling him that the royal family had moved it somewhere else, but she immediately knew how false that sounded. Why would the royal family destroy the display case to move their own crown?

Mr. Darling cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Miss Curtis, what has happened?"

There was no use attempting to conceal the truth. "The crown was stolen," she said, though she felt guilty for revealing it. "It was requested that I assist in the investigation."

"Stolen?" Mr. Darling repeated. "And you...you are helping?"

"To find the crown and its thief, yes," Edith said, worried by his startled expression. "But please, you mustn't tell anyone."

He began to pace a little. "But this is bad. The crown, the ball...and you....Find the thief? Wretched, dangerous business..."

"I'm certain it's not as dangerous as you imagine," Edith said.

Mr. Darling gestured to the broken glass. "The thief did this?"

"Yes," Edith said. She added quickly, "But I'm sure he would do no such thing to a person."

"A thief bold enough to steal a royal possession, yet gentle enough to not harm a person? It isn't likely."

"Well," Edith started, trying to sound confident despite her realization that Mr. Darling was right. "I have the royal guard to help me."

"Oh?" Mr. Darling said doubtfully. "Then where are they now?"

"I..."

"The last time I saw any of them was when they were dragging Mademoiselle Alouette back to the ball."

"What?"

"While you were absent, the poor girl tried to flee, and in a very hurried, agitated way. She must have had a compelling reason to leave, but the guards and half the palace staff chased after her and brought her back. She was in tears--miserable to see."

Edith's brow pinched in thought, while she absently said, "The guard is letting no one enter or leave the party. It's because of the crown."

"Yes." The sharp word pulled Edith from her thoughts. She glanced up to see Mr. Darling looking at her in earnest. "The guards are occupied with other things," he said. "Who is going to ensure your safety?"

Edith opened her mouth to speak, only to shut it again soon thereafter. His words had sound reasoning. Even a fool could see that. She realized that the servant who had guarded the door had likely left to deal with the issue of Mlle. Alouette's escape. Keeping the theft hidden and contained was their priority, not protecting a nearly insignificant writer who had been thrown into the case on Lady Eglantine's whim.

But even in the face of this fear and uncertainty, Edith did not want to shake her resolve. She had already found a clue through her own examination, and she had a feeling she was catching on to another.

"Don't you think it is suspicious?" she suddenly said.

Mr. Darling stumbled on the change of subject. "What?"

"Mademoiselle Alouette. You said she was frantic to leave. Why?"

"I'm sure I wouldn't know..."

Edith's excitement was growing. "And what about her miraculous entrance? It caught the attention of the entire party. And that was the time the crown was stolen!"

"Was it?"

"Yes!" Edith clapped her hands together. "Picture it, Mr. Darling. A mysterious and beautiful guest shows up, and all eyes are on her. An associate of this lady steals quietly into the now emptied display room, breaks the case, and escapes with the crown!"

Mr. Darling looked troubled. "You believe that Mademoiselle Alouette was involved in the theft?"

"Yes. How could the thief steal the crown without so great a distraction? Just think. No one knows anything about her. And that mask--what is she hiding?"

Edith took a step toward the door, but Mr. Darling moved in front of her. "Where are you going?" he asked.

She looked at him with some irritation. "I'm going to find Mademoiselle Alouette and ask her some questions, if you would be so good as to move out of my way."

She took another step, but Mr. Darling moved to match it. "You don't know where she is," he said simply.

"But you do, I suppose. Then tell me and let me pass."

A third attempt at forward movement was foiled. "Not without protection." His voice was stern.

Edith sighed. "Please, Mr. Darling..."

"I insist that you allow me to accompany you."

She looked up at him in surprise. She had expected that he would not want her to continue at all, at least not without the full royal guard as an escort. But she had been wrong. A smile found its way onto her face. "Why did you not just say that sooner?"

"I may come, then?"

"Of course!" Edith walked toward the door, this time not stopped by Mr. Darling. She unlatched the door and peered carefully out. Once she believed there was no one watching, she slipped through, followed closely by Mr. Darling.

Under Mr. Darling's directions, Edith made her way down the stairs and to the other side of the dance floor, where she came to the side room into which Mademoiselle Alouette had last been seen escaping.

She moved cautiously across the threshold, not sure what she would see. The small room was nearly empty besides having two occupants. One was Mademoiselle Alouette, whose eyes were red and her expression distressed. The other was Frederica Dumont, who seemed to be in serious conversation with her. As soon as Edith entered, a look of terror crossed Mlle. Alouette's face, and Frederica quickly stopped speaking. Edith glanced briefly back at Mr. Darling before advancing any farther.

Frederica took a few clumsy steps toward Edith. "Miss Curtis," she said. She nodded quickly. "Mr. Darling. What are you doing here?"

"We don't wish to cause any great concern--" Mr. Darling started.

Edith interrupted, "I would like to speak with Mademoiselle Alouette, if I am able."

Frederica glanced back at the other girl. Mlle. Alouette sniffled and cast her eyes despondently at the floor.

"I'm afraid my friend is not in the mood," Frederica stated.

Edith's eyebrows rose. "You know her?

"Ah...I've only known her for a moment. I saw her forced back to the party in such a sorry state. No one thought to console her, so I did." She smiled. "We have not known each other long, but I would already say we are friends."

Edith saw Alouette give a small nod.

"Where is Annabelle?" Edith asked, curious why she and Frederica had separated.

"She has been dancing."

"And you haven't?"

"No." Frederica laughed. "And it's fortunate that I haven't. Otherwise it would have been harder to help this poor girl."

Edith nodded. "Are you certain I may not speak to her?" she pressed.

"Miss Curtis..." Mr. Darling started quietly.

She was undeterred. "I only have harmless questions to ask," she insisted, though she was not certain that was entirely true.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think--" Frederica began.

"It's fine."

All eyes went to Mademoiselle Alouette, who had straightened up slightly. Her voice was shaky, but still soft and pretty. "She may talk to me, Miss Dumont. I am fine."

Frederica gave her a look filled with meaning. It was a warning look, which passed quickly. Edith was puzzled.

"I would like to speak with her alone," Alouette specified.

Frederica looked troubled. So did Mr. Darling.

Edith could not give up the opportunity. "Did you not hear her?" she said to them. "She wants only me."

Mr. Darling nodded reluctantly and left the room. Frederica came slowly after, glancing back to Alouette several times before exiting as well.

Mademoiselle Alouette waited a few seconds after they had gone, then gestured to some seats. "Come," she said softly. "I will try to answer your questions."