The young man accepted this invitation, and the three made their way from the store.
“I can’t thank you enough, either of you,” he declared as they walked along. “I was in a ticklish position, and but for your assistance might have been put to no end of trouble.”
“How did you happen to be accused?” asked Shirley.
“Why, I was walking through the aisle, and because of the crowd I was shoved against the counter. A piece of lace caught on a button of my coat, and I dragged it with me as I went by. Then the girl behind the counter cried out that some one had stolen something. The floor walker saw the lace caught in my coat and collared me. That’s all.”
“I see,” said Shirley, and added with a smile: “You certainly did look funny there!”
“Did I? Well, I didn’t feel very funny. I was afraid I would be held long enough to make me miss the ship, and I can’t afford to do that.”
“Then your business in Colon is very important?” asked Mabel.
Young Bristow looked at her in silence for some moments, and Mabel grew red as she thought she was to be rebuffed again. But she wasn’t. Bristow finally answered her question.
“Very important,” he said quietly.