“I thought you wanted to take a train to Dakota this evening?” went on Walter.
“So I do, but it doesn't go till eight o'clock. May I ask what time it is? You know I sold you my watch.”
“I suppose that is Chicago time,” said Walter, pointing to a clock on the left-hand side of the office.
“I wonder whether he's got the watch still?” thought the other. “He must have, as he makes no fuss about it.”
Walter was waiting cunningly to see if his railroad acquaintance would betray himself.
“I'm awfully sorry to part with the watch,” he said. “If you keep it, I may buy it back some time.”
“I'm sorry I can't oblige you,” said Walter, “but I have sold it already.”
“Sold the watch already!” ejaculated the man in the white hat. “Did you sell it since you reached Chicago?”
“No; I sold it on the train.”
“You don't mean it!” exclaimed the other, in amazement. “Who did you sell it to?”