"Dr. Wise," he said, flushing, "will you tell this person what
I told you when I gave you the watch this morning? I am afraid
I cannot keep my temper if I talk with him any longer."
"And I know I shall not!" sputtered Percival.
"The young gentleman did gallant work at the fire last night,
and came home very much fatigued," said the doctor. "While
undressing with his companion who is here, this watch dropped from
his trousers pocket. Percival will doubtless tell you the same.
This is what he told me when he handed me the watch this morning.
If you suspect him you do him an act of the rankest injustice."
"This watch has been stolen," said the other. "The thief was
traced to Riverton. He went to the fire last night with a number
of suspicious characters who generally congregate at such places
in the hope of gain. The watch was doubtless passed from one
person to another, for it was not in the possession of the suspected
man who denies all knowledge of it. Now I want to know how this
boy got hold of it."
"He does not know any more than you do, and I have told you just
what he told me, and which I believe."
"It sounds very queer," said the detective. "I shall have to hold
him for the Grand---"
"I beg your pardon, you will do nothing of the sort, in fact, you
cannot," said the doctor.
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