“Four hundred and fifty dollars,” answered the man. “She’s worth a thousand.”
“Thanks,” said Hal, picking up the watch and putting it in his pocket. “I just wanted to know how much it was worth.”
“Come in any time,” said the man, as Hal went out of the door. Outside he drew a long breath, took out his handkerchief to wipe the perspiration from his forehead, and started across the street. [As he did so, a young fellow] who had been standing in the shadow of the doorway [stooped down and picked up an envelope which had fallen out of Hal’s pocket] when he took out his handkerchief, looked at it, gave a start and went on down the street.
Hal went into the depot, and as he hadn’t been gone five minutes in all, Hans hadn’t missed him. Hal told him where he’d been, also what the pawnbroker had said, and as he named the amount Hans’ eyes opened a good deal wider, for he had no idea the watch was so valuable.
Presently Arthur came up and the boys told him frankly how they happened to be in town, and asked him to say nothing about it, which he agreed to, as Hal had now decided to go back to school. Arthur said he had come to town on the morning train to do some shopping.
So they went home with Arthur, and having some one who was familiar with the city to pilot them, they weren’t worried about that. Mr. and Mrs. Delvin were glad to have a couple of Arthur’s team mates to dinner, and they went to a vaudeville show, which was a new experience for Hans. They enjoyed the evening immensely and after a two-hour ride on the train got home pretty tired, but none the worse for the experience.