I did not know what Mrs. Grundy would say when she saw a lone woman stop at Michel Seguin’s house, nor did I care. I was at a point where Mrs. Grundy’s opinion did not matter, and I bade the driver of the drosky leave me at Monsieur Seguin’s door, after ascertaining that he was at home. His face was one of intense surprise when he saw me, and mingling with the surprise was a look of pleasure as he came forward to meet me.
“What is it? What has happened?” he asked, for I was shaking with excitement.
“Let me go to your room—Nicol’s room, and I will tell you,” I said.
He led the way to his den, and opening the box, I put the watch upon the table without a word.
“What!” he exclaimed, springing forward and taking it up. “My watch! Where did you find it?”
“I didn’t find it,” I said. “I got it through Carl. No matter how, nor when. He brought it to me, but the silver I did not get.”
“I don’t care for the silver,” he said, a little impatiently. “It was the watch I prized, because——”
He stopped abruptly and seemed to be thinking, while I was nerving myself for what I meant to do.
“You would make a splendid detective,” he said at last. “How can I thank you?”
Here was my chance. “You can thank me first,” I replied, “by letting that boy alone for a while, and if he is arrested again, don’t be harsh or cruel with him. There is good there which the knout will never improve.”