A second later Angelina had vanished in the never-ending crowd which makes the neighbourhood of the Mansion House one of the typical sights of London. Mrs Dyer’s abrupt departure did not trouble me. I knew where to find her if I wanted her again. And I also knew that there would be a further development of this seemingly trivial adventure, for that the lady with the angelic name had had an ulterior motive in accosting the alderman I was certain. Nor was my conviction long in being verified. Mr Lanimore, followed by myself, walked along Cheapside, with a good-natured smile on his face, until he reached Sir William Bennet’s famous horological establishment. Then it struck him that he had better compare his timepiece with the big clock over the shop, and he mechanically put his hand to his fob to withdraw his costly gold repeater. It was gone! I could almost have laughed, aloud at this development of my little comedy, for though I had not been quite sure what form Angelina’s cunning would take, and although in spite of my keen watch I had not seen her take anything, I had no doubt that pocket-picking was the lady’s real game. Nor did the alderman’s next act surprise me. He hailed an empty passing hansom and almost shouted to the driver, “Bell and White, Holborn, and drive like wildfire.” That he would invoke our aid had also been one of my foregone conclusions, for we had already transacted business for him in connection with the large firm of which he was the senior partner. Feeling glad that Mr Lanimore had not seen me, I waited until another hansom had appeared, and then gave the driver a somewhat similar order to the one given by the alderman a few moments before. Arrived at our office, I found that the impatient victim of the “auld acquaintance” dodge had been waiting a few minutes for an audience with one of the principals. Mr Jones conducted a branch business now, and was seldom at the London office. Mr White had sold out and retired, and my uncle only just entered the office as I did. “Leave this case to me,” I whispered, “I know all about it.” With a smile and a nod of comprehension, Mr Bell betook himself to his own private sanctum, while I removed my outdoor wraps and proceeded to interview the alderman. “Good morning, Mr Lanimore! What can we do for you this time?” “Oh, such a fool as I have been, Miss Bell! Actually let a strange woman stop me in the street and talk to me! Pretended to know me, and I never suspected the hussy’s intentions.” “And the result?” “My beautiful gold repeater, given to me by our employees when I was elected sheriff, has disappeared.” “That is very serious.” “Serious! good heavens! It’s as much as my happiness and reputation are worth to lose that watch! I must have it back, and the affair must not get into the newspapers.” “I suppose not. Publicity is not always desirable.”