"At ten o'clock," answered the children's mother. "How much time have I?"
Captain Ben thrust out his arm as he always did when he wanted to look at his wrist watch, and, as he glanced down, an appearance of surprise came over his face.
"Why, my watch is gone!" he exclaimed.
"Gone?" echoed Mrs. Bunker. "Did you take it off and put it down somewhere?"
"No, I haven't had it off to-day," was the answer. "I had it on just before I strapped that valise! It must have accidentally come off! I must find it! I wouldn't have that watch lost for anything!"
He began looking about the room.
"I'll call the children," offered Mrs. Bunker. "One of them may have seen it. Oh, Russ! Rose!" she called. "Come, children, and see if you can find Captain Ben's missing watch."
CHAPTER VI
OFF TO GRAND VIEW
The six little Bunkers, who had been scurrying around all over the house, helping, or at least thinking they were helping, to get ready for the trip, gathered in the big living room at the sound of their mother's voice.