The scholarly-looking gentleman sat, completely oblivious, to the little pickpocket sizing him up. The man scribbled away with his quill, the soft scratching noise of the quill on parchment only audible over the sound of the room because Elias was so close to him. He subconsciously rubbed his fingers on his right hand against his thumb, almost willing his little palms to start sweating, as if his hands knew the extra slipperiness might help get his hand in and out before he could be detected. 

All of this happened in a fraction of a moment. Elias, though young, was a professional. He knew he couldn't linger long without drawing undue attention. Finally seeing his opening, his little hand shot out, fingers scrunched together to decrease the likelihood his hand would be felt in the man's coat pocket...

And, equally as fast, another hand reached out and grabbed his wrist. Shocked, Elias turned to see the woman that the Red Woman was talking to. "Hello there," she said, calmly, politely. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have a quick word with you."

Elias was stunned, and didn't know what to say. He tried to pull away, but the woman's grip was firm. He knew her request wasn't so much a request as it was a demand. How did she know what he was up to? When had she spotted him? When he reached into the Red Woman's purse? How did she sneak up on him? And, how did he let himself get so complacent that he didn't notice her following him to begin with? 

His mind reeling, he followed the lady as she dragged his arm after her. Why did she just grab his wrist, why didn't she warn the man what he was going to do, did she know? Or was she just a concerned grown-up wondering why a youth was in the pub? 

"Ma'am," he said, his voice shaking from the adrenaline rush of getting caught, "where are you taking me? I gotta let my da know you want to talk to me," he motioned back towards the scholar by tilting his head in the man's direction. As soon as he said the lie, he knew she would see right through it. A filthy street kid like him would never be the son of a gentleman, at least he wouldn't be out in public looking the way he did. His cheeks blushed at the realization of his poorly thought out lie. 

Resigned to his fate, he bowed his head and let the woman lead.