He handed it to the clerk behind the counter.
“Will you tell me what this watch and chain are worth?” he asked.
The clerk took it, and, after a slight examination, said, with a smile:
“I hope you didn’t give much for it.”
“It does not belong to me. My friend purchased it this morning. Is there any gold about it?”
“A little--on the outside. It is covered with a thin coating of gold. I will tell you in a moment what is underneath.”
“It is a kind of composition,” he announced, after a pause.
“How much is the whole thing worth?”
“Three or four dollars, at the outside. The works are good for nothing. It won’t keep good time. If you want a really good gold watch, I will show you some.”
“Not to-day,” said Sam. “I may be getting one soon; then I will call on you.”