The Moonstone: The Loss of the Diamond: 18 Summary & Analysis

Cuff meets Betteredge at the front door and explains what he learned. First, he knows that the Indians came to steal the Moonstone—and will continue trying, although they were not responsible for its initial disappearance. Secondly, he learned that Rosanna bought “a piece of long cloth […] to make a nightgown” to replace the plain one she presumably stained the night of the Moonstone’s disappearance, which is now hidden—and not destroyed. Cuff explains that he will search for the nightgown’s hiding place, which he plans to discover with the help of a search warrant and refuse to share with anyone.

Before Rachel’s departure, Cuff informs Betteredge’s assistant Samuel that he will be sending a “friend” with Rachel in the carriage. When she comes out, Betteredge describes Rachel’s fine clothing and beautiful face at length, and as she climbs into her carriage, Cuff tells her that her departure “puts an obstacle in the way of my recovering your Diamond.” She tells the coachman to drive, ignoring both Cuff and Mr. Franklin, who runs outside to bid her goodbye. Franklin asks Julia to let him return home, and she agrees—on the condition he talks with her first.

Only Cuff and Betteredge remain outside. Cuff calls Joyce, the other policeman Seegrave had left at the house, and while waiting for him declares to Betteredge that Rachel has brought the Diamond with her in the carriage. When Joyce arrives, he admits he has lost track of Rosanna, failing the duty Cuff had assigned him, and Cuff fires him on the spot. Betteredge grows bewildered, but Cuff assures him that Rosanna has escaped to meet Rachel in Frizinghall, and that the investigation will have to follow them there.

In the meantime, Cuff asks Betteredge to assemble the servants, and Betteredge admits that he feels “another attack of the detective-fever”—and is curious about exactly what Cuff is planning. Cuff explains that he wants to figure out which servant saw Rosanna last, to determine if she is at the Shivering Sand or has gone straight to Frizinghall. Nancy the kitchen-maid saw Rosanna last, and reports that Rosanna gave the butcher’s man a letter to be sent to Cobb’s Hole. Cuff declares that he will go to Frizinghall before the letter gets mailed out, that this letter will reveal Rosanna’s hiding-place, and that he will visit the Yollands again when the letter is due to arrive on Monday.