Miss Allen's manner was reassuring.
Presently the clerk called for entered.
"Miss Berg," began the superintendent, interrupting the detective's
attempt to put a question, "did you see these young ladies at your
counter?"
The clerk glanced from Dorothy to Tavia. "Yes, sir," she replied. "I
showed them some rings!"
"Rings!" exclaimed Dorothy. "We never looked at a ring!"
"There!" sneered the detective triumphantly, "I thought Miss Berg would
know."
Miss Allen fairly glared at the other clerk.
"You showed them rings?" asked the superintendent. "What kind of rings?"
"Why, I had the tray--with the mixed pieces--"
"Just a minute," interrupted Miss Allen. "Miss Berg, what time did you ask
permission to leave the floor?"
"At 10:15," replied the other promptly.
"And the ring was lost, or missed, at 10:20. You were not on the floor
when it happened, at all."
"She ought to know her own business," snapped the detective.
"And I ought to know mine," replied Miss Allen. "I gave Miss Berg fifteen
minutes, and she was not there when that tray was out of the case."
"You should be very careful in a matter of this kind," cautioned the
superintendent.
Dorothy left her place and stood straight before the big flat-top desk.
"My name is Dorothy Dale," she began clearly, "and I tell you, honestly,
I know nothing about this ring.
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