“I’d like to buy something for Mother and Ginny before I leave,” Vicki said. “But I certainly wouldn’t want to buy stolen goods.”
“As I told you this morning, Vicki,” Mr. Curtin said, “this market is a curious mixture of thieves, smugglers, and honest men. Just across the square is Manuel Rodriguez’s jewelry shop. He specializes in Spanish antiques, and he’s thoroughly respectable. Maybe we can find something there.”
Mr. Curtin paid for their limeades, and they strolled across the cobbled square.
Manuel Rodriguez’s jewelry shop was completely unlike the Thieves’ Market that existed just outside its windows. The interior was plain and dignified, and glass display cases along its walls held beautiful pieces of finely wrought silver and gold.
A small man, wearing a trim swallowtail coat and a pince-nez, stepped out to greet them.
“Señor y señoritas,” he said, rubbing his hands together as though he was washing them in the air. “What may I do for you?”
“We’re just looking around,” Mr. Curtin explained.
“Please do,” the little man said. “If there is anything I can do—” He smiled and shrugged.
The girls browsed among the display cases; Nina keeping up a running chatter of “oh’s” and “ah’s.”
“Look here, Vicki,” Louise called from across the shop. “Come and see this necklace. It’s really the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen!”