People started talking about the news, and soon there were rumours all around London that the attacks were something to do with the missing Moonstone diamond. A few days later Godfrey Ablewhite went to visit Lady Verinder and Rachel at their house in Montague Street.
'Please don't worry about me,' he said charmingly, when they asked him about the attack. ' it was just a mistake; they thought I was another man.'
'But the three Indian men that attacked you - were they the same men that came to the house on the evening of my birthday party?' asked Rachel quickly.
'My dear Rachel, it happened so quickly. I did not see their faces well enough to say,' he replied calmly.
'And what about Mr Luker's bank receipt? People say it was for a valuable jewel,' continued Rachel. 'A jewel like the Moonstone!'
Godfrey began to look very uncomfortable but Rachel became more excited.
'And they say that you, Godfrey, sold it to Mr Luker!'
Lady Verinder couldn't believe what her daughter was saying.
Rachel jumped up from her chair and declared: ' I know the hand that took the Moonstone, and I know that you are innocent, Godfrey! I will write to the newspapers and tell them myself!'
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Some friends dad arrived to take Rachel out for the day. Rachel kissed her mother, said goodbye to Godfrey, and left.
Later that afternoon, Lady Verinder had another visitor. It was Mr Bruff, the family lawyer. since they had moved to London, Lady Verinder had been unwell. Her doctor had told her that she was seriously ill. She Knew that she did not have long to live, so she had called Mr Bruff to help her write her will. Mr Bruff was also anxious to talk to Lady Verinder about another matter
'Have you heard what people are saying about your nephew, Godfrey Ablewhite?' Mr Bruff asked. 'T'm afraid that, since the attack by the Indians, there are rumours that he stole the diamond.'
'what a stupid idea!' replied Lady Verinder. 'Sergeant Cuff was sure that my own daughter had taken the diamond and hidden it! This terrible Moonstone is destroying my family.'
'Lady Verinder, I have known your family for a long time. Miss Rachel os the most honest young lady that I have ever met. She could not possibly do such a thing - but I'm not so sure about Godfrey Ablewhite...'
'I must tell you, Mr Bruff, that earlier today Rachel declared that Godfrey was innocent.'
'Well, if Rachel says that he is innocent, then I believe her. But then who..?'
Mr Bruff and Lady Verinder did not want to think about the mystery any more, and they turned to the metter of the will.
The next day Rachel again went out with her friends. Lady Verinder was not feeling well and stayed at home to rest, and Godfrey Ablewhite went out with Rachel instead of her. When they got back home, Godfrey wanted to talk to Rachel, and so they went to the library. There Godfrey sat down oppasite Rachel.
'Rachel,' he declared, 'I am hopelessly in love with you!'
'But Godfrey,' Rachel protested, 'didn't we agree on the day of my birthday party to be friends and no more?'
'I have tried, Rachel,' Godfrey replied. 'But my feelings you have not changed.'
'I have something to tell you, Godfrey, that will make you change your mind. I was in love with another man, but he betrayed me and I will never, never see him again!'
Rachel sopke angrily, and burst into tears. But when Godfrey realised how honest Rachel was, he told her that he loved her even more. He knelt down in front of her.
'Dearest Rachel.' Godfrey said gently,'there is a way to forget the man that betrayed you. Please marry me!'
Rachel protested, but Godfrey went on asking her to marry him. He was a very good speaker and finally Rachel agreed. Just then, they heard a servant shouting; 'Miss Rachel, come quickly! Your mother has fallen ill.'
At once Rachel ran to her mother's room and threw her arms around Lady Verinder. But she was already dead.