"
Mrs. Simpson smiled significantly.
"The boy has learned his story," she said. "I did not give you
credit for such an imagination, John Cavanaugh."
"My name is Grant Thornton, madam," said our hero, gravely.
Five minutes later two men entered the store. One was a policeman,
the other the head of the firm. When Grant's eye fell on the
policeman he felt nervous, but when he glanced at the gentleman his
face lighted up with pleasure.
"Why, it's Mr. Clifton," he said.
"Grant Thornton," said the jeweler, in surprise. "Why, I thought--"
"You will do me justice, Mr. Clifton," said Grant, and thereupon he
related the circumstances already known to the reader.
When Mrs. Simpson found that the boy whom she had selected as an
easy victim was known to the proprietor of the place, she became
nervous, and only thought of escape.
"It is possible that I am mistaken," she said. "Let me look at the
pearls again."
They were held up for her inspection.
"They are very like mine," she said, after a brief glance; "but I
see there is a slight difference."
"How about the boy, madam?" asked the elder clerk.
"He is the very image of my errand boy; but if Mr.
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