"It's tough to go without your watch, Jack," said Pepper.
"Captain Putnam is going to loan me one for the present," was the young major's reply. "It's only a silver affair, but he says it keeps good time, and that's the main thing."
A day or two after the reward was offered, Jack, Pepper and Andy received an invitation to take dinner at Point View Lodge with the Fords and spend the evening there. The weather was now growing colder and the Fords expected before long to close up their summer home and move to the city for the winter.
"Say, this is all to the merry!" cried Pepper, as he read the invitation. "Of course we'll go."
"If Captain Putnam will let us," added Andy, anxiously.
"I think he will," returned Jack. "He is so cut up over this watch affair I think he will do almost anything for me."
The three went to the captain and showed the invitation, and were told that they could go to Point View Lodge, but that they must be back at Putnam Hall by ten o'clock.
"It's lucky we can go in our uniforms," said Pepper. "Otherwise I suppose we'd have to go in full dress, eh?"
"Sure thing."