“What do you do with pickpockets if you catch them?” Belinda asked curiously.
“Sometimes we merely run them out of town,” the detective replied. “But if ever we catch Joe in the act, we’ll have him arrested and sent up.”
“I realize there is little chance to recover the money taken from my billfold,” said Miss Gordon. “I plan to make up the loss to the Brownies. The watch, however, was a prized keepsake.”
The detective asked the teacher for a description of it, as well as her name and address. Carefully he wrote the information in a little red booklet.
“If the watch ever turns up, I’ll notify you,” he promised. “The chances are though, that Pickpocket Joe will pawn it.”
While Miss Gordon and the detective talked, Mr. Carsdale chatted with Veve, asking her if she had enjoyed the show.
“Oh, yes, especially your act,” she replied politely. “Was it hard to make the tiger jump through the hoop?”
“Not when you know how,” laughed the animal man. “What else did you like?”
“Oh, the beautiful golden coach. And the little circus girl rider.”
“Eva Leitsall? She’s standing over there now.”