"And, and,—why, Ben Pepper!" Polly forgot the wet floor and she splashed up and down in great distress. "Oh, I must bale it out," she cried. "I see Jasper's watch and chain down at the bottom."
"Stop, Polly, you're getting as wet as anything and splashing all over me," said Ben. "Now then, you little scoundrel," to Jocko, "I'll tie you up so that you won't get loose again in a hurry," and he fastened the chain, in a way that no one but Ben could do, to the door-knob, then he came back and rolled up his sleeves, Jocko beginning to sob and whimper, since Polly wouldn't look at him.
"Do you run out in the hall and call down the tube for Jane," said Ben. "Jasper can't hear, for his door is shut."
"But I must tell him what is the matter," said Polly, in great distress. "Listen, he's calling."
"Pol-ly." Evidently Jasper was calling. "Ben, what in the world is the matter?" came from Jasper's room.
"I'll tell Jasper," said Ben. "You get Jane up here to clear this water out; do, Polly."
"Well, don't tell Jasper about his Shakespeare," said Polly, hurrying off on her wet feet, "nor the watch."
"No, I won't," promised Ben.
"Oh, nothing much, old chap." He went down the passage, and put his head in at Jasper's door, "It's Jocko, you know; we've found him."
"Oh, that's good," cried Jasper; "and nothing has happened to him, I hope?"