Feeling glad that Mr Lanimore had not seen me, I waited until another hansom had appeared, and then gave the driver a somewhat similar order to the one given by the alderman a few moments before.
Arrived at our office, I found that the impatient victim of the “auld acquaintance” dodge had been waiting a few minutes for an audience with one of the principals. Mr Jones conducted a branch business now, and was seldom at the London office. Mr White had sold out and retired, and my uncle only just entered the office as I did.
“Leave this case to me,” I whispered, “I know all about it.”
With a smile and a nod of comprehension, Mr Bell betook himself to his own private sanctum, while I removed my outdoor wraps and proceeded to interview the alderman.
“Good morning, Mr Lanimore! What can we do for you this time?”
“Oh, such a fool as I have been, Miss Bell! Actually let a strange woman stop me in the street and talk to me! Pretended to know me, and I never suspected the hussy’s intentions.”
“And the result?”
“My beautiful gold repeater, given to me by our employees when I was elected sheriff, has disappeared.”
“That is very serious.”
“Serious! good heavens! It’s as much as my happiness and reputation are worth to lose that watch! I must have it back, and the affair must not get into the newspapers.”