"Very well. If it is of real importance I will let it pass. But otherwise I shall mark you for being tardy," returned Josiah Crabtree, harshly.
Jack merely bowed and then he sat down and ate his breakfast. While he was doing so, Pepper leaned over to him.
"Find the watch?" he whispered.
"No—not the least trace of it," answered Jack.
The young major did not feel much like eating. The watch was a gold one and the chain was also of gold, and both were valuable. They had been a birthday gift from his parents.
"Say, Jack, this is as bad as my loss," came from Andy, in a low tone. "What are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know. I want to talk the matter over with Captain Putnam first," answered the young officer.