“Well, I am very sorry, Ma’am, but this is not an American watch.  I trust that you will find yours, but this is not it.  I wish you good morning, Ma’am,” and Bucephalus showed the lady out evidently greatly disappointed.

Half an hour later a self-satisfied looking man came into the camp and asked to see the boy who had found a watch, and had advertised the same in the Riverton paper.

Billy Manners happened to see him first, and, seeing Jack at a little distance with Percival, called out: 

“Hello, Jack, come here, somebody wants you!”

Jack came up with Percival in a few moments, and the self-satisfied man, eyeing him fiercely, said: 

“You are the boy who found a watch, I believe.  Describe it to me.”

“Excuse me,” laughed Jack, “I have not lost a watch.  I have found one.  If you have lost one describe it, and we will see if it is the same as the one I have found.”

“I have not lost a watch,” snapped the other.  “I am in the detective service, and if I have the description of the article I can enquire who has lost one like it, don’t you understand?”

“And you wish to be a sort of middle man between me and the owner?” and Jack laughed again.  “I advertised for the owner of the watch, not for an agent who would help me find the owner.  I cannot see that we need spend any more time on the affair.”

“How do I know that you have not stolen the-----”

It was very fortunate for the man that Jack was nearer to him than Percival, who suddenly aimed a swinging blow at him.

Jack threw up Dick’s arm, and said quickly: 

“Dick!  What are you about?”

“It is lucky for you, sir,” said Dick hotly, “that my friend stopped me.  Is it a part of your business to insult people without provocation?”

“Sir,” said the other, “I come in contact with very many persons
of a suspicious character and-----”

“Yes, I should suppose you might,” said Dick significantly.  “We do not, and it is not at all necessary that you should consider this boy one of that sort.  Let him talk to the doctor, Jack.”

The boys were walking away when the man interrupted them hastily with: 

“I am in search of a watch which has been stolen.  It is a lady’s watch, heavy gold case, about an inch and a quarter diameter, hunting case, set with five or six small diamonds, made in Switzerland, Jurgensen movement, worth from three hundred to five hundred dollars.  There are no initials nor monograms, but the number is—–­”

“That describes the watch the doctor has,” said Jack.  “We will see what the number is, and if it is the same as what you mention there is no doubt that this is the watch.  We will go and see him.”

“Where did you find this watch?” asked the other, as he hurried after the two boys.

“Excuse me, but that has nothing to do with it,” said Jack.  “I found a watch, and your description tallies with it all but the number, which I do not know.  That we will ascertain.”