"Possibly, sir," said Jack. "Perhaps it will be well to ask Mr.
Van der Donk if he has missed the watch. There are no initials
on it to show the owner, but it is likely that it belongs to Miss
Margaret, being a lady's watch. Will you enquire?"
"Certainly. It is likely that some one from the house will be at the camp this morning in any event."
An hour later Mr. Van der Donk called with his daughter to compliment the boys on their services of the night before, and to thank them personally for what they had done.
The doctor asked him if he had missed a valuable watch, and showed him the one which Jack had found.
"It does not belong to any of us," said the gentleman.
"I would very much like to have one like it," said Margaret, "but it does not belong to me. You say it was found last night at our house?"
"The young gentleman found it in his pocket, but, of course, it got there by accident. It is very singular."
"We have missed nothing, which is rather singular, seeing that there were so many strangers at the house. Of course, I do not include the boys. We would hardly call them strangers, being such near neighbors, and having the reputation they have, besides doing such a great service to."
"And the watch does not belong to you?" asked Dr. Wise, who was growing rather tired of the fulsome praise of the descendant of one of the oldest and best families in the Hudson valley.
"No, it does not," said Margaret.