attracting too much attention. Once out in the street, Marc felt better, but the ordeal to come had him worried. Toffee had insisted on selecting the clothes in person. "Now get what you need," instructed Marc, "but get it in a hurry. And above all, get something to put on just as soon as we get inside." Toffee nodded excitedly. By repeating the crouch and run routine, they managed to get into the store safely, and luckily it was still early enough that only a few customers were about. Marc quickly hid Toffee behind a clothes rack and went in search of an understanding saleslady. He spotted a neon marker at the other side of the store that said: "Ladies' Ready-to-Wear," and made his way in that direction. As he entered the department a tousled, gray head jutted from behind a plaster figure and Marc started back in alarm. Two beady, black eyes rolled crazily and the teeth were bared, clenching an amazing number of straight pins. Slowly a gnarled hand appeared beneath the chin and the mouth spewed the pins into it and broke into a horrible grimace that was apparently meant to be a smile. "I'm Miss Clatt." The small, piping voice sounded somewhat lost in the horrible head. "May I help you?" Slowly the head moved from behind the figure, dragging with it a small, well padded body, perched precariously atop a pair of delicate pipe-stem legs. "I need an outfit," stammered Marc. "A complete outfit." "Oh," replied Miss Clatt disappointedly. "You'll find Men's Furnishings on the third floor--just take the elevator." "You don't understand," said Marc hurriedly. "It's a lady's outfit I want." Miss Clatt looked disapproving. "You'll find a theatrical costumer in the next block." "No, no, I want it for a lady. She's with me, waiting up front there." Marc gestured toward the main entrance. "I'd appreciate it if you'd hurry. She hasn't any clothes." Miss Clatt's hand went to her throat and her eyes began to roll again. "Naked?" she whispered. "No, of course not," replied Marc with dignity. "She's wearing a robe." "Oh," said Miss Clatt as if that explained everything, then on second thought added: "Oh, dear!"

Swiftly they moved across the store with Marc in the lead and Miss Clatt hopping along behind him. Marc stopped before the clothing rack and parted the coats hanging on it, only to be greeted by the blank wall. "I left her right here," he said turning to Miss Clatt in bewilderment. But the old lady wasn't listening. "Gracious," she said. Her eyes had begun to rotate again and she was staring toward the sidewalk. Marc followed her gaze and saw what appeared to be a small riot before the store. Leaving the bewildered Miss Clatt by the rack, he raced for the door and forced his way into the crowd. "It's just 

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