“Not at all, thank you,” she replied, blushing more than ever. There was heard the laughter of several salesgirls, and the messenger boy looked on and grinned. Larry felt himself getting red in the face.
“I—er—I—well, I didn’t come here to ask how you were getting on, Miss Mason,” stammered Larry. “That is, not exactly, though I was interested in you. I’m Mr. Larry Dexter, from the Leader. I’m on this bank mystery case, and this is the valise that was used to turn the trick. I’m trying to find out where it was sold, and who bought it.
“I’ve tried lots of places, and finally I came here. I have seen the superintendent, and he said it would be all right to interview the head of stock here, though I never expected to meet you.”
“Dat’s right,” put in the boy. “De super says youse is t’ tell him all he wants t’ know,” and then, with a frank wink at Larry, the lad scurried away.
“Well, I’m sure I’ll tell you all I can,” began Miss Mason. “But I don’t know that I can help you. What is it you want to know?”
“Do you recollect selling any bags like this lately?” asked Larry, holding out the one from which he hoped so much.
“Why, yes, I do,” was the unexpected answer. “I have sold several lately, and so have the girls in this department. But I don’t know that this one is from our stock. Let me look at it.”
She opened it, and examined it closely. Then she gave voice to an exclamation:
“That’s surely from our stock!” she cried. “It’s one I sold myself. I remember it, because the cost mark was blurred,” and she showed Larry where, in an obscure place on the lining, there were some letters in ink.
“You sold this very bag?” asked Larry, in delighted surprise.