"'That seems to be it. I shall know on a closer inspection.' "The suit was taken down, and our reporter saw that he had reached the first stage of his inquiry. "'This is the pattern,' he said. "'It narrows the matter,' said the manager. 'There is only this one suit left of this particular pattern. Three weeks ago there were two, so that within that time one has been sold. The salesman in this department is a man with a good memory.' "The salesman being called, our reporter explained what he wanted. The man considered a little, and said: "'I remember something of it, because of a circumstance. I will look up my sale book and compare it with the day book, to fix the date.' "He departed to make the investigation, and, returning, said: "'I can tell you all about it now. I served the lady myself.' "'The lady!' exclaimed our reporter. "'Yes, it was a lady who made the purchase. I served her first with a suit which she paid for, and which she brought back later in the day, saying it was too large. I changed it for one of this pattern.' "'Did she say for whom she required the clothes?' "'For a young man of about her own size. I supposed they were for a son or for a brother much younger than herself.' "'What should you judge her age to have been?' "'Forty or so.' "'I told you he had a good memory,' said the manager, with an approving smile at his salesman. "'You speak of her as a lady,' said our reporter. 'Are you certain she was one?' "'She spoke and conducted herself as one. She was not a workingman's wife, or she would have been more particular as to price, and might have haggled a bit, though all our clothes are marked in plain figures. I could see she wasn't used to purchasing men's clothing from the remarks she made. All that she was particular about was the fit.' "'What did she pay for the suit?' "'Fifty-five shillings. She handed me a five-pound note, and I gave her the change. Working women don't pay for their purchases in bank notes. Would you like the number of the note?' "'Can you give it to me?' "'Yes; we always take down the numbers.' "Again he departed and returned, and gave our reporter the number of the note, written on a bill-head. "'I am under a great obligation to you,' said our reporter. 'Is this suit you have left the only one of the same pattern you have in your establishment?' "'The only one, sir, and we are not likely to have any more.' "'I will take it with me.' "The account was made out, settled, and receipted, and our reporter, thanking the manager, left the shop--which, in accordance with modern ideas, was called an 'Emporium'--with the suit of clothes under his arm. He had a distinct motive in making the purchase. The inspector might take it into his head to make inquiries at the establishment, and our reporter had removed the only evidence of direct identification it could furnish.