In the past several weeks during the sparse social whirl before the Season fully began, there had been three thefts that occurred during parties. Two thefts had been discovered after the guests had left, but only a few nights ago in the middle of Mr. Holmendale’s ball, the theft had been made public when his son had come upon the empty safe.

“A safe,” Sol murmured. In all three thefts, safe boxes had been broken into and a rare, exquisite gemstone had been stolen.

“Yes,” Sir Derrick said, “I know very few men who can break into safe boxes with such skill and speed.”

“Allinton.” A young agent whom Sol himself had trained.