For the inside of the coat was literally filled with secret pockets. Mabel thrust her hand in and pulled out the bolt of silk. She held it above her head.
“Here it is!” she cried.
“I bought and paid for that,” sputtered the angry woman.
One after another Mabel now produced other articles of value, which she exposed to the view of the crowd. And in each case the woman’s explanation was the same:
“I paid for that!”
But the floor walker was not to be fooled, nor was the manager of the store, who came up at that moment. The former released his hold on young Bristow and made him an abject apology.
One of the women detectives was called, and the shop-lifter turned over to her. Then the manager addressed Shirley and Mabel.
“I owe you two young ladies a debt of gratitude,” he said. “This shop-lifting has been going on for a month or more and we have lost heavily. Thanks to you I believe we have the culprit at last. Without your assistance she would have escaped.”
Shirley and Mabel acknowledged this praise with slight inclinations of the heads, and then Shirley spoke to Young Bristow, who stood near.
“Are you going back to the boat, Mr. Bristow? We shall be glad of your company.”