And you don't know how it came in your pocket?"
"No, sir, I have not the slightest idea."
"H'm, ha, very singular!" and the doctor looked the watch over
again. "If you did not have a very good reputation, Sheldon,
I should say that there was something very suspicious about this,
but I am as much puzzled to get at the solution of this mystery
as you are. Well, well, I will take charge of it, and if no one
speaks of it will advertise it in the local paper."
"That is a good idea, sir. I can get Mr. Brooke to advertise it.
His paper is taken very extensively in this section."
"Could the young lady have dropped it when you met her at the
fire?" asked Dr. Wise. "She nearly fainted in your arms, I
understand."
"Possibly, sir," said Jack. "Perhaps it will be well to ask Mr.
Van der Donk if he has missed the watch. There are no initials
on it to show the owner, but it is likely that it belongs to Miss
Margaret, being a lady's watch. Will you enquire?"
"Certainly. It is likely that some one from the house will be at
the camp this morning in any event."
An hour later Mr. Van der Donk called with his daughter to compliment
the boys on their services of the night before, and to thank them
personally for what they had done.
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