“It was no bother at all,” said Tom politely.
“I’m glad of it. I hate to bother any one. Now let me see. There was another book I wanted to get. What was it about? I thought I would remember it. I know I had it on my mind when I was looking at the first volume of the new edition of Motley’s Dutch Republic—um—er—well, I can’t think. I’ll have to go back home and get my list.”
He took the cook book from Tom, and placing it, with the two other volumes, under his arm, started to walk out of the store. At once there flashed through Tom’s mind the idea that this was a slick swindler, who had adopted this method of stealing books.
“Wait a minute!” he called. “Shan’t I wrap those books up for you?”
He thought this would be a polite way of calling the attention of Mr. Townsend or some clerk to the actions of the queer customer.
“What books?” asked the old gentleman innocently.
“Those under your arm.”
“Have I some books under my arm? Why, goodness gracious, so I have! I’m glad you called my attention to them, young man, or I might have walked off with them. My, my! but I am getting to have a poor memory! To think of carrying off books without paying for them!”
“It’s a good thing I caught him in time, or Mr. Townsend might have blamed me,” thought Tom.
Just then Mr. Townsend came to the rear of the store. He caught sight of the old gentleman.