Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 26, No. 4. Whole No. 143, October 1955

The young general manager of the store strode nervously up and down his office, shooting an occasional doubtful glance in the direction of Doctor Dollent. Why in the world didn’t the Little Doctor build up people’s confidence by adopting some mannerism peculiar to himself alone, such as wearing a monocle or smoking cigarettes of an exotic brand? His small stature, tight-fitting clothes, and the youthful way with which he bore his 30-odd years made him seem more like a college student than an experienced crime investigator.

“Look here,” said the manager. “The police think it was a professional job. I only wish it were. But I can’t see why a regular criminal should have it in for a poor fellow who was obviously off his trolley. For my part, I’m afraid the killing was the work of a madman. You know, of course, that big stores, like newspaper offices and public buildings, attract lunatics of all kinds. And if my theory is correct, the madman is bound to shoot again. Such things happen in waves, and no matter how many precautions are taken, there isn’t much that can be done. The newspaper accounts have already hurt our business — yesterday there were hardly any sales in the slipper department or its vicinity. A crowd of sensation-seekers were constantly milling about, but without ever approaching too closely... So go ahead with your investigation, Doctor. I don’t know your methods, and I’m told you haven’t any. But here’s a card authorizing you to go anywhere in the store and interview all our employees... But perhaps I should first introduce you to Alice of our jewelry department. She made a statement to me last night that I wish her to repeat in your presence. Of course, I don’t put much stock in what women say. I know how their imaginations usually run away with them...”

The manager sent for Alice, who proved to be a tall, pale girl with eyes and manner that suggested, just as the manager had said, that she was prey to a vivid imagination. Obviously she read trashy novels and doted on moving-picture stars.

“Will you repeat to this gentleman...?”

The girl was noticeably disturbed and spoke with nervous volubility.

“Well, as I told... well, I saw the picture in the paper, because on the actual day of the crime I was off duty. As soon as I saw the picture I recognized him. Before he began giving Gaby trouble, I was the one he...”

“What do you mean?” asked the little Doctor. “Did he make propositions to you?”

“No — not that. But for several days — I might be able to look up the exact number — he came to my department...”

“At a quarter past 6?”

“Between 5 and 6... Of course, customers often come just to see us girls — we catch on to that fast enough. First of all, they make a small purchase. Well, he had a watch-chain with him and said he was looking for a snap-hook. I showed him a dozen or more and finally he bought one. He came back the next day and said the hook had broken, through his own fault. I didn’t swallow that, because I knew the hook wouldn’t break in one day. Well, he talked around and about it for some time and finally bought another...”

“And did he come back the next day at the same time?”

“Yes, it must have been for two whole weeks that he came every afternoon to buy a snap-hook.”

“Didn’t it ever occur to you that he might be a thief?”

“Yes, it did. My first thought was that he might be a shoplifter. I kept my eye on him and asked a store detective to do the same while I was busy looking for what he wanted.”

“And then?” prodded Dollent.

“That’s all,” and Alice sighed with relief.

“Tell me one thing more,” the Little Doctor persisted. “Where is your department located?”

“Oh, yes, it’s on the second floor — just above slippers and just below toys. That fact struck me too, when I read about it in the paper. I asked to see the manager...”

A few seconds later, after Alice had left, the manager said to the Little Doctor:

“I’m sceptical, as I told you. But I gave the police the gist of her statement and asked them to check on her. It seems that for several weeks now, valuable pieces have been disappearing from her department...”

“Is that unusual?”

“Oh, we expect a certain number of thefts, and the average is always pretty much the same, except during the holidays when thieves make a killing... But the quantity and value of what’s been missing lately from the jewelry department are particularly high...”