"No mistake at all ma'am, for I kept my eye on them all the way from the theatre," he said.
He had followed Mrs. Maple into the back parlour, and the old lady had sat down, for she seemed unable to stand after the shock the man's words had caused her.
"Now tell me all about it," she said, "and I will call them in and ask them."
"No need to do that, ma'am; at least not just yet. They were both out until nearly twelve o'clock last night, you admit, and I tell you I watched them home from the —— theatre, where they had spent the evening among a gang of smart young thieves. Three or four of them were taken, but there are several watches and other valuables still missing, and I have a warrant to search for these and arrest your two shop-women."
"What, take them to prison! But I tell you it must be a mistake; the youngest is a young girl only a few months from the country, and the other, her cousin, is a thoroughly respectable young woman, who has been with me nearly a twelvemonth now."
"That may be, ma'am, but still they were there, and with a party of thieves, too. Will you call them in and let me question them?"
"Well, I will call the younger one first. Kate!" said Mrs. Maple, opening the door.
"Yes, ma'am," answered Kate readily.
"Come in and tell me where you went last night," said Mrs. Maple. Kate turned crimson as she looked from the stranger to her mistress. "Now tell the whole truth about it, Kate. I don't believe what this person says—that you were in bad company, but where did you go?"
"To the theatre," faltered Kate.