At a quarter to six she made up her checks. There was a shortfall of one and a penny.
'How do you account for it?' asked the manageress.
'Sure I don't know, Miss,' said Victoria helplessly. 'I always give checks. Somebody must have slipped out without paying.'
'Possibly.' The manageress grew more tense faced than ever. Her bust expanded. 'I don't care. Of course you know the rule. You pay half and the desk pays half.'
'I couldn't help it, Miss,' said Victoria miserably. Sixpence halfpenny was a serious loss.
'No more could I. I think I can tell you how it happened, though,' said the manageress with a vague smile. 'I'm an old hand. A customer of yours had a tuck out for one and a penny. You gave him a check. Look at the foil and you'll see.'
'Yes, Miss, here it is,' said Victoria anxiously.
'Very well. Then he went upstairs on the Q.T. and had a cup of coffee. Follow!'
'Yes, Miss.'
'One of the girls gave him a twopenny check. Then he went out and handed in the twopenny check. He kept the other one in his pocket.'