Edith exited the room some time after Mr. Darling had, flustered and upset. She had been entirely correct about herself; she was wholly unable to understand the human mind or heart. Nothing--nothing at all--could have made her expect this to happen!

She almost cried out in relief when, in her distracted path down the stairs, she ran into the Morelands. Mrs. Moreland's cheeks dimpled with pleasure as she greeted her. "Edith! How are you doing?"

Edith let out a sigh and made herself smile. "I am fine. And you?"

Mr. Moreland cocked a mischievous eyebrow at her. "It's been grand! I've already won quite a sum of money at the card tables."

Edith laughed. "I thought I told you not to gamble!" she exclaimed in a teasing scold. "You're too good at it; you'll rob all the poor, inexperienced fools of their money!"

"They don't mind all that much! Well, some do throw a fit for a minute, but then they're back at the table, ready for another go." Mr. Moreland released all his laughter, then grew a little more serious. "Though I did notice one chap I played seemed a little more desperate than the others. Maybe your point has some solidity in that case, Edith."

"Let us speak on lighter topics," Mrs. Moreland interjected. "How is Margarite?"

"She has been flirting and dancing to a great extent, as you may imagine," Edith answered.

"Surely! And have you danced?"

Edith colored slightly, a memory of her stumble brought back fresh to her mind. "A little."

"And what have you done with the rest of your time?" Mrs. Moreland asked, surprised. "I suppose you were able to see the crown before they closed the doors?"

Edith nodded, not speaking. Mention of the crown reminded her that she had important things to do still. She couldn't let her scattered feelings prevent her from them.

After wrapping up the conversation and politely excusing herself, she started to search for Annabelle Bingham amid the crowds of ball guests. If she could confirm that Frederica was with her at the time of the theft, Edith would have one less suspect.

But Lord Raymond would be one remaining. Edith shook the thought from her head. She couldn't let her feelings get in the way.

She found Annabelle near a refreshment table, scrutinizing the array of food. She looked up and smiled with recognition. "Miss Curtis, correct?" she said.

"Yes, and you are Annabelle. I remember you and Frederica well." Edith spoke quickly, impatient with small talk. "I was wondering where you two had gone. I finished viewing the crown, and I was looking forward to speaking with you about it. But you must have gone."

"Oh, I was dancing," Annabelle said, picking up an hors d'oeuvre between two fingers.

"Was Frederica dancing, too?"

"No, we separated for a time." She took a small bite of her morsel.

Edith was astounded. Why had Frederica asserted that she had been with Annabelle if she had not? It was suspicious, but she had a hard time imagining Frederica as the thief. It would be nearly impossible to climb out a window and jump down to a ledge in a ball gown. There had to be a reason for her lie.

"Do you know where she was?" Edith asked.

Annabelle looked at her questioningly, but she took another bite without a comment. "I don't know. But if you're so interested about everyone at this ball, I suggest you speak with Lady Prudence Hall. She's the best person to go to for information about anyone or anything."

Edith had to suppress a grimace. Talking to that gossip again would be terrible, and it was possible that she would have no means of escape this time. But she admitted to herself that it was good advice; Lady Prudence would have been on the lookout for juicy, suspicious stories like the one that--perhaps--Frederica's was.

"Thank you kindly. Goodbye," she said before hurrying off to find the lady. Annabelle watched her leave, then disinterestedly began looking through the food assortment again.

It did not take long for Edith to find Lady Prudence. She only needed to look for the lace on lavish clothing and the sparkle of heavy jewelry, and listen for that overpowering voice. She approached her as she was declaring some novel piece of news to the people around her--some reluctant, some interested.

"...saw that red-headed minx leave with him! The servants saw them kissing in the kitchen. I swear, it's scandalous! Whoever heard of a girl, from such a respectable standing, deigning to romance with a common palace servant! A servant!"

Edith stood, listening with forbearance, waiting for the opportunity to ask about Frederica.

Lady Prudence had her hand over her heart, as if the words she conveyed filled her with sickening shock. "To flirt with a servant! Why, have you ever heard the likes of it before? That girl has disgraced the name of Dumont--"

Edith froze, suddenly listening more intently. "Who did you say it was?" she asked loudly.

The crowd turned to look at her, and she felt uncomfortable under the judgement of their gazes. Lady Prudence, however, did not seem ruffled. "Miss Curtis! It is so wonderful to see you again! You left too quickly last time," she gushed. Then she was right back to business again. "It was the Dumont girl. She ran off to the kitchens with a doorman. Can you believe it?"

"When?" Edith pressed eagerly.

"About the same time as Mademoiselle Alouette--you know, the witch--disrupted the ball. I only regret that I didn't catch wind of it until much later; it's such a scandalous story, so thrilling to talk about!

"But is it true?"

All the pleasure Lady Prudence had shown from having such an attentive listener was replaced by a look of offended pride. "Of course it's true! I heard every word of it from the servants, and I even saw the two lovebirds reenter the ball myself! Cross my heart, it's true, and don't you doubt it!"

Edith nodded, amazed. She had found Frederica's true alibi. It was surprising, but at least she was not the thief. She was about to leave--quickly, so she could escape Lady Prudence without argument--but she paused. "Prudence?"

Lady Prudence's face lit up tremendously when Edith called her what she had requested. "Yes?"

"I would like it if you spoke no more about this. Frederica is a good friend of mine, and I don't believe she would want you speaking about this to everyone."

The lady's face fell. "But it is so intriguing."

"But Frederica is a very good friend of mine. And I know how much the great Lady Prudence values friends."

Lady Prudence chuckled. "Of course, of course! My friends are so dear to me, Edith dear. But what shall I talk about? I can't talk about nothing; I shall become dreadfully bored."

"I am sure you will find something. You are very skilled at that, after all."

Lady Prudence beamed. "Well, in that case, do you all realize that no one is allowed in or out of the ball...?" As she began, Edith waited until her eyes were off her, then bolted away without looking back.

Frederica had been cleared. That left Mr. Amsworth and Lord Raymond. She hadn't questioned Raymond, but Mr. Amsworth already seemed very suspicious. Edith felt a little pang of anger when she thought of Mr. Darling's reminder to ask the guard about him. But, however tumultuous her feelings toward Mr. Darling at the moment, she could not rationally ignore his advice. She sought out the guards at the door.

They straightened when she came near. "What are you doing here, Miss?" one asked.

"I'm Miss Curtis." They relaxed immediately.

She smiled and continued. "I've come to ask about a Mr. Justin Amsworth. He is at the ball now, but he claims to have entered late."

The guards' eyes widened in shock. "Amsworth!" the guard who had spoken exclaimed. "How'd that rogue get back in?"

"Back in?" Edith repeated, surprised by their sudden change in manner.

"If it helps your investigation, we'll tell you," the other said. "We found that worm had snuck in here. Up to no good, I swear. We threw him out soon as we saw him....But you say he's come back?"

"Yes," Edith said, "but what time was he gone?"

"Before that mysterious lady showed up. He must have slipped past us while everyone's eyes were on her."

One guard nudged the other. "You run off to tell Hawthorne. We've got to get that troublemaker out of here."

The other ran off. Edith was still there. "Any more questions?" the remaining guard asked.

"Just one," Edith said. "How likely do you think it is that Mr. Amsworth was able to get to the crown while Alouette held the people distracted?"

The guard looked worried for a moment, but then he shook his head. "Too little time to get across the ball room, and too suspicious to run through the crowds. And all the windows are locked from the inside. He could've broken one, but they're all fine. It couldn't have been him."

Edith felt a twist in her stomach. She had narrowed down all the suspects to a few. But Frederica had been flirting with a servant. Mr. Amsworth had been busy getting back into the ball. That only left one.

"Raymond," she whispered breathlessly.