"And it is a riddle!" repeated Laddie with conviction.
Mother Bunker began to laugh. She nodded and smiled at them.
"It certainly is a riddle," she said. "It is almost as good a riddle as that one Laddie told about the splinter."
"I know! I know!" cried the little boy. "'I went out to the woodpile and got it.' I remember that one. But—but that isn't a splinter he has sent you, is it, Mother?"
"It is something that Captain Ben looked for and could not find. But all the time he had it. What is it?"
The little Bunkers stared at each other. Laddie murmured:
"That is a riddle! What can it be?"
Suddenly Rose uttered a little squeal and clasped her hands.
"Oh, Mother!" she cried. "Is it—is it my watch?"
At that Laddie began fairly to dance up and down. He was so excited he could scarcely speak.