"No doubt of that, miss," said the man significantly. "It did not walk in there."
"I mean some one who tried to get us into trouble. The little woman in black!" she exclaimed suddenly. "I knew she had a motive in following us!"
But this assertion had no effect upon the store people. They were evidently accustomed to persons making ready excuses, and paid no heed to Dorothy's appealing eyes, her flaming cheeks, or her general astonishment.
"I never saw that ring before," she managed to say.
"You will have to explain all that to the police," the man declared, while the woman detective was smiling "audibly" at her catch.
"But I tell you it is all a mistake!" Dorothy almost shrieked, realizing now she must do or say something to defend herself.
"A woman has been following us all day," added Tavia, "and at the jewelry counter she almost pushed me through the case. I am positive she stole the ring, and got scared, or something. Then she must have tossed it in Dorothy's bag."
"You should go on the force," said the man with a sneer. "You know how to make a case out, all right."
"And you know how to impose on innocent girls," cried Tavia, while Dorothy begged her to be quiet.
Just then another young lady entered the office. She proved to be head clerk from the jewelry counter, and had been sent for by the superintendent.