The Queen felt extremely anxious after receiving news that the ship had been attacked and that Anastasia's fate was unknown. Queen Mary was not as concerned about Anastasia's life as she was about the box she had entrusted to her.
Anastasia had been personally responsible for safeguarding the box, so, naturally, the Queen feared that it might fall into the wrong hands. Until she received a message from Miss Magdalene confirming that the box was now in her possession, she was unable to relax.
"Your Majesty, a message has arrived from the seaside," her lady-in-waiting announced.
"Bring it in," Queen Mary replied, trying to conceal the anxiety in her voice. The lady brought a small letter and handed it to her.
Queen Mary immediately opened it, convincing herself that it contained good news; that the box was safely with Magdalene. However, upon reading its contents and discovering that the box was missing, she broke into a cold sweat.
