"Is this your watch?" asked Delapine, as he passed it to Payot with a bow.
"Yes," he replied, looking very astonished. "It looks like my watch."
"That is not sufficient proof. Pray observe the number and read it aloud."
"B40479," replied Payot, more mystified than ever.
"Well then, it must be your watch. Be good enough to put it in your pocket, and take care not to lose it again."
"That I shall never do," replied Payot. "I am much sharper than people give me credit for."
Delapine's eyes twinkled with amusement, which did not escape Payot's notice.
"Well, I will make a present of it to anyone who can take it away again without my being aware of it," Payot replied testily, as he felt his amour propre wounded at the professor's display of mirth.
"Be careful what you say. I have a long memory," said Delapine, laughing.