"Oh, this was a group of four. I have noticed that little chap before, selling flowers. He's very amusing."
Soon Irma had returned her library book, and by various short cuts Marion led her to the Palazzo Cancelleria, near which the so-called Rag Fair is held every Wednesday.
They found a series of canvas booths, where a great variety of things was displayed. The sellers, more numerous than the buyers, praised their wares at the tops of their voices, if Irma or Marion even glanced toward them.
"I should call it a rummage sale, and things are rather rubbishy," said Irma.
At this moment a man thrust a pair of silver-mounted opera glasses in Marion's face, naming a ridiculously low price. With some difficulty, Marion shook him off. "Nothing would induce me to buy them."
"But they seemed very cheap."
"Yes, but that's the reason. I believe they were stolen."
"Oh, but would the police allow it?"
"Not if they knew it, but these people keep such things hidden. Perhaps other goods are stolen, too. There are some pretty things here."