Well, last night, based on what I told her about other people's experiences, she decided to buy the house outright and see what happened. And voila, the chest reappeared. She wasn't late with the rent, the house wasn't locked up at all, but buying the house made it reappear. Considering that you can just leave stuff on the ground next to a teleporter and it won't go anywhere, I don't think I will be buying the house when I get to that point.

Anyway, it turned out that she had been keeping the important stuff in the dresser anyway. Not any more though, just in case it happens again.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Game on,

"There, beyond the bounds of your weak imagination Lie the noble towers of my city, bright and gold. Let me take you there, and show you a living story..." Genesis, "A Trick of the Tail" -- The Oneiromancer