I lit another cigar, and composed myself to listen.
“It was when I was a youngster,” said he. “There was a big City man in those days who was known to have a very valuable gold watch. I followed him about for several days before I could get a chance; but when I did get one, you may be sure I did not throw it away. He found, to, his disgust, when he got home that day, that there was nothing in his fob. I hurried off with my prize, and got it stowed away in safety, intending to have it melted down next day. Now, it happened that this watch possessed a special value in the owner’s eyes because it was a sort of ancestral possession—presented by his father on coming of age, or something of that sort. I remember there was a long inscription on the back. He was determined not to lose it if he could help it, and accordingly he put an advertisement in an evening paper, offering thirty pounds reward for its return, and promising that no questions should be asked. He gave the address of his house, 31 Caroline Square, at the end of the advertisement. The thing sounded good enough, so I set off for Caroline Square, leaving the watch in a parcel at a public house which I passed on the way. When I got there, the gentleman was at dinner; but he came out quick enough when he heard that a young man wanted to see him. I suppose he guessed who the young man would prove to be. He was a genial-looking old fellow, and he led me away with him into his study.
“‘Well, my lad,’ said he, ‘what is it?’
“‘I’ve come about that watch of yours,’ said I. ‘I think I can lay my hands on it.’
“‘Oh, it was you that took it!’ said he.
“‘No,’ I answered; ‘I know nothing whatever about how you lost it. I have been sent by another party to see you about it. Even if you have me arrested you will not find out anything.’
“‘Well,’ he said, ‘I don’t want to be hard on you. Hand it over, and here is my check for the amount.’
“‘Checks won’t do,’ said I; ‘I must have it in gold.’
“‘It would take an hour or so to collect in gold,’ said he.
“‘That will just suit,’ I answered, ‘for I have not got the watch with me. I’ll go back and fetch it, while you raise the money.’