“Miss Willing,” he said. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t look where I was going.”
Shirley glanced up in surprise at hearing her name spoken. Then she recognized the figure with whom she had collided.
“Why, Mr. Bristow,” she said. “I thought I left you aboard the Yucatan?”
“I came ashore to do a little shopping, as you young ladies call it,” replied Bristow with a laugh. “I shall have to hurry on.”
He lifted his cap and was gone.
The two girls continued to stroll about through the store, eyeing the bargains appreciatively.
“Well, I guess we have seen enough,” said Mabel finally. “We may as well return to the ship.”
As they started toward the door they became aware of the sounds of confusion behind them. For a moment they hesitated, then their curiosity overcame them and they turned back.
Far down the aisle a large crowd had gathered. The girls could hear the loud tones of one of the floor walkers calling for the store detective. Shirley and Mabel elbowed their way through the crowd, and presently were able to see what was going on.
Shirley uttered an exclamation of amazement and clutched Mabel by the arm.