The man wrote a number on a card, and handed it to the doctor, who took the watch from a pigeon hole in his desk and opened it.
"The number is identical," he said, and handed the watch and the card with the number on it to Jack that he might compare them.
"Yes, so they are," the boy said, showing them to Dick. "This is certainly the watch you are in search of."
"May I ask you where and how you found it?" asked the detective, still with the accusing air that both Dick and Jack himself resented.
"I found it in my pocket after coming from the fire at Mr. Van der Donk's house last night or this morning," he replied.
"In your pocket? Was not that a singular place to find it? How did it get in your pocket?"
"You know as much about that as I do," said the boy quietly.
"Are you sure you did not put it there yourself?" asked the man in an insinuating manner, which Jack resented.
"Dr. Wise," he said, flushing, "will you tell this person what
I told you when I gave you the watch this morning? I am afraid
I cannot keep my temper if I talk with him any longer."
"And I know I shall not!" sputtered Percival.