Faith measured the ribbon quickly and made out a check.  As she turned for the woman’s money she smiled at her pleasantly.

The next moment Bob Hardy stepped forward and tapped the woman on the shoulder.

“You are wanted in the office, madam,” he said, very rudely.  “You’ve been stealing goods in the store, and have got them in your pocket!”

With a cry of terror the poor woman looked up into his face.

“It is false!” she cried wildly.  “I never stole a penny’s worth in my life!  Oh, miss, don’t let him touch me!  I’m an honest woman!”

In a second Faith darted from her place behind the counter.  When she reached the aisle she threw her arms around the woman.

“Stand back, Bob Hardy!  Don’t you dare to touch her!” she cried, sharply.  “Are you so blinded with wickedness that you can’t see she is honest?”

CHAPTER XXII.

The beginning of the harvest.

As Faith wrapped her arms around the woman Mr. Denton appeared in the department.  He was just in time to hear her ringing question.

There were a dozen or more customers standing around the counters, and they all stood staring in wide-eyed astonishment.

Mr. Denton saw that something must be done at once.  It would never do to have a scene like this in the store, for, besides stopping business, it was productive of mischief.

In an instant he realized that he had to deal with Faith, for the woman was clinging to the girl and imploring her protection.

He went forward at once and spoke as calmly as possible.

“Take her up to the office, Miss Marvin, and quiet her if you can.  She shall not be harmed.  I have no doubt she is innocent.”

“And I know she isn’t,” blurted out Hardy, angrily.  He was frantic to think that the woman might escape him.

“Well, whether she is or not, she will be treated kindly,” said Mr. Denton.  “So use your power to make her go quietly, Miss Marvin.”

As he said these words he looked straight at Faith, and the thankfulness in her eyes repaid him in an instant.

“Come, my friend,” she said sweetly.  “Come with me to the office.  There is nothing to be afraid of.  You will only have to prove your innocence.”

The woman checked her sobs and went willingly.  Faith’s manner had calmed her fears in great measure.  Mr. Hardy followed them to make his accusations, and Mr. Denton led them all to his own private office.  As soon as they were there a woman detective was sent for, and the supposed shop-lifter was taken behind a screen and searched thoroughly.

While this was being done Faith was bursting with indignation.

“Just think of an innocent person being subjected to such an outrage!” she cried.  “Oh, Mr. Denton, is there not some other way to do this?”

“I wish there was,” said that gentleman shortly, “for our detective’s mistakes have already cost us several thousand dollars.”