"Cupboard Love" is a comediccrimeshort story by W. W. Jacobs. It was originally published in the May 1901 issue of Harper's Magazine.[1] It was later collected in Jacobs' The Lady of the Barge. It follows a retired policeman investigating the disappearance of a valuable gold brooch.
Plot
"MRS. DRIVER FELL BACK BEFORE THE EMERGING FORM OF MR. BODFISH."
Illustrated by Maurice Greiffenhagen for the publication in Harper's Magazine and the first edition of The Lady of the Barge.
Martin Bodfish, a retired cop turned farmer, is spending an evening at the Neggets' farm to discuss a golden brooch that disappeared earlier that morning. Eventually, after some talk he narrows it down to one suspect: Mrs. Driver, who had stopped by the house earlier that morning. Mr. Negget defends Mrs. Driver, stating that he's known her for thirty years. Bodfish tries to convince Mr. Negget to invite her back for tea and interrogation, but he declines. Mr. Negget gets made fun of by the detective, resulting in a scornful relationship. Bodfish concludes that, despite the fact it is unlawful, he should search her cabin while she is away.
The next day, when Bodfish sees Mrs. Driver and Mrs. Clowes leave, he goes into the house to look for the brooch. Unknowingly, however, Mr. Negget brews up some alcohol and convinces the ladies to come back to the cottage to share a drink with them. The unexpected return of the women forces Bodfish into a larder. Mrs. Driver opens the pantry and becomes startled by Bodfish, and nearly faints.
At the end of the story, it's revealed that the brooch was lodged in behind a drawer against the wall.
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