Story partly narrated from notes by Sinclair's "wife of over 30 years" set in early 1880s East Melbourne. Jewellery disappears from a ladies' college and Sinclair sends his wife in the guise of a seamstress to help solve the mystery. A rich squatter's daughter meets her dissipated brother in the garden to try and help him - and eventually their father returns to claim them both. The headmistress' husband, a clergyman, is the thief. In a fit of madness he kills his wife and robs her safe for gambling money. A faithful old servant from the couple's English days tells their tale. (PB)