“I’ll wrap it up for you,” said Mrs. Bute.
There was silence while she wrapped it up, then Miss Poll said, “Good afternoon, dear,” again and went into the hall and there followed the sound of the closing of the front door, then sounds as of the mistress of the house going upstairs. William retreated through his open window and rejoined Douglas and Henry at the gate. Ginger had vanished.
“Quick,” he said, “she’s got it.”
The figure of Miss Poll carrying a large paper parcel could be seen walking down the road. “We’ve gotter follow her. She’s got it now.”
At this minute Ginger reappeared.
“She’s got it,” William explained to him.
“Yes, but there’s another,” said Ginger, pointing, “there’s another black coat hangin’ up in the hall. I’ve been round an’ looked through a little window an’ seen it ... it’s there.”
William was for a moment nonplussed. Then he said: “Well, I bet the one she’s took’s the one, ’cause I heard her say wasn’t it a bargain, an it was a bargain too. Huh! I’m goin’ after her.”
“Well, I’m not,” said Ginger. “I’m goin’ to stop here an’ get the other one.”
“All right,” said William, “you an’ Douglas stay here an’ Henry ’n me’ll go after the other an’ I bet you ours is the right one.”