"He was in plain clothes, but he was a policeman."
Mother had actually got tears in her eyes.
"I didn't mean you to have that bother, my dear," said she. "I didn't think the man would, after all I said."
"The man only did his duty," says Mary. "He was quite right to come. Walter was out; but I had a long talk with him. That was the first I heard of the watch being lost."
"And you're come to tell us you're sorry," says mother.
"Not only to say I am sorry," Mary answered.
A sudden stab seemed to go all through me from head to foot. I never felt anything like it before. I didn't half know where I was, nor what I was doing. For Mary drew out of her pocket a little rolled-up parcel, and laid it on the table, undoing the string. And when she opened the brown paper, there lay my gold watch and chain.
[CHAPTER VIII.]
FOUND OUT.
MOTHER didn't say a word. She sat down, and a queer grey look came over her face.