Following my gaze, the man gave me a quick, suspicious glance, hastily caught up the watch, and was bestowing it on one of his shelves, when I said—
"Where did you get that?"
"Quite innocently, sir, I swear. I bought it of a gentleman who came in just now, and would not pawn it. I thought it was his, so that if you belong to the Force, I hope—"
"Gently, my friend," said I; "I am not in the police, so you need not be in such a fright. Nevertheless, that watch is mine; I can tell you the number, if you don't believe it."
He pushed the watch across to me and said, still greatly frightened—
"I am sure you may see it, sir, with all my heart. I wouldn't for worlds—"
"What did you give for it?"
He hesitated a moment, and then, as greed overmastered fear, replied—
"Fifteen pounds, sir; and the man would not take a penny less. Fifteen good pounds! I swear it, as I am alive!"
Although I saw that the man lied, I drew out three five-pound notes, laid them on the table, and took my watch. This done, I said—