As she nor her husband smoked, Mrs. Trench was surprised to see cigarette ash on her doorstep as she entered the house. When she opened the living-room door, she was astonished to see a strange man fast
in an armchair! Taking care not to disturb him, Mrs. Trench left the house immediately. She called a taxi and went straight to the police station. When she got there, she lost no time to explain
had happened and added that the man
have got into the house
an open window. Mrs. Trench returned home
a police car together with two policemen. But it was too late: the man had disappeared.
(hurry) upstairs, she went to her dressing-table. She smiled
relief when she saw that the only thing the man had taken was an imitation diamond necklace
was almost
.