The holiday crowd had thinned for a moment, and only a few men and women were wandering about the store examining the several articles.

Otto at the moment was in tow of a stout lady in furs, who had changed her mind half a dozen times in the hour and would change it again, Otto thought, when, as she said, she would "return with her husband." "Vich she von't do," he chuckled, addressing his remark to the newcomer, "and I bet you she never come back.

Dot's de funny ting about some vimmins ven dey vant to talk it over vid her husbands, and de men ven dey vant to see der vives.

Den you might as vell lock up de shop--ain't dot so?
Vat is it you vant--one of dem tables?
Dot is a Chippendale--you can see de legs and de top." "Yes, I see 'em," replied the detective, scanning the circumference of Otto's fat body.

"But I'm not buying any tables to-day, I'm on another lead--that is, if I've got it right and your name is Kling." "Yes, you got it right," answered Otto; "dot's my name.