Intriguing though slightly flawed

Rating: 8/10 (26 January 2012)

I've seen the movie twice and yes, I do love to be tricked, together with Leopold and the whole of Vienna. This review is written only to put forward the notion that there is a minor (but, in effect, major) flaw in the way the story is constructed.
*spoiler alert*
When the Chief Inspector first inspects the stable, he catches a glimpse of something shiny in the straw, but is hurried away by his colleague before he can take a closer look. Then, later, after what might be weeks but probably months, he is prompted by the magician's illusion to search the straw once again, only to find the missing locket and another gem from the sword. At the end of the film, in the short 'revelation' sequence, we see the duchess planting the locket as a clue, as well as spraying the sword with fake blood.
I have two very simple reservations here.
1. When Leopold woke up, wouldn't he find the locket next to his sword and destroy it, together with the blood? And while washing blood off his sword, wouldn't he notice that two of the gems (one of them being fairly prominent) were missing? (this is a fairly weak argument, as Leopold was probably experiencing a bit of a hangover and moreover, was in a hurry and distressed)
2. Given the length of time between the Inspector's two searches in the stable, wouldn't the straw be changed a number of times, thus allowing for the gems and locket to be lost?
If it were not for the 'revelation' scene, we could always assume that the clues were planted in the stable shortly before the inspector's arrival, although even that is highly unlikely.
*end of spoiler alert*
I would be grateful for your insights.