"I declare, my watch is gone!" he cried.
"Your watch!" asked his chums, in concert.
"Yes, I must have dropped it when I stumbled in the orchard."
"Oh, Dave, that's too bad!" cried Roger.
"I'll have to go back for it," went on Dave. "It's the new watch my uncle gave me."
"Shall we go back with you?" asked Phil.
"No, there is no use of all three of us being late. You can tell Mr. Dale I lost my watch and stopped to hunt for it."
In another moment Dave had turned back and Phil and the senator's son continued on their way to Oak Hall. Dave started on a run, and it did not take him long to reach the orchard once more. Down under the trees it was very dark and he had to feel around for the watch. But he had dropped it just where he thought, and soon had it in his possession again.
"Now I had better hump myself and get back," he murmured, and started for the fence once more. Scarcely had he gone four steps when a form loomed up before him and he found himself in the strong clutch of Mike Marcy.