At last, the officers returned, whispering to the judge. His expression shifted subtly before he turned to face the courtroom. “The brooch has been found exactly where the boy described.”

A collective gasp swept through the spectators. Margaret’s denial crumbled, her attempts to maintain control faltering under the weight of the truth.

“Given this new evidence,” the judge continued, “it is clear that Clara is innocent of these charges. She is hereby acquitted of all accusations.”