"Do you know the number of the watch?" asked Delapine, "as that is most important. In fact I don't see how the police will ever be able to identify it otherwise, seeing how many thousands of gold watches there are in Paris."
"No, I can't say I do, but the watchmaker would be able to tell me."
"That is impossible," said Delapine. "The watch was made in Geneva, and the manufacturer has been dead some years now."
"I remember now," said Payot, "you are quite right. I sent it to Geneva to be repaired and I received a letter back saying that the maker had died two years before. But how Delapine knows these facts passes my comprehension. I am certain, now I reflect, that a thief snatched it out of my pocket, as I was in the act of stepping out of my carriage. In fact, I feel sure I could recognise the man if I were to meet him again. What a fool I was not to take the number of the watch; for, as the professor rightly says, it affords the only clue to its recovery."
"That is quite easy," said Delapine quietly. "The number is B40479, and the name of the maker is Bréguet."
"How can I prove that you are correct?" cried Payot, uncertain whether to be angry with the professor for making fun of him, or to be nonplussed at his uncanny knowledge.
"Nothing is more simple," answered Delapine. "My dear Villebois, would you mind touching the bell?"
"François," said Delapine as the servant entered the room, "will you be good enough to go into the spare bedroom, and on a chair near the window you will see a tall hat with a gold-mounted cane. Look inside the hat and bring me what you find there."
In a couple of minutes the servant returned carrying a gold watch which he handed to Delapine.