Margaret’s lawyer said she had misunderstood the distinction between a temporary consignment and a disappearance, although it was difficult to reconcile that explanation with the signed records.

She had also told police she had not authorized anyone to remove the jewelry.

When Adam confronted her privately, Margaret first insisted that the jeweler had deceived her.

Then she said Clara’s presence was the real problem.

“She makes that boy depend on her,” Margaret snapped.

“You let a servant act as if she belongs to the family.”

Adam looked at his mother as though she were a stranger.

“That’s why you blamed her?”