“And told you to come back?”

“No, sir; he said I needn’t come back. But the jeweler’s place was closed on account of a death in the family and I came back with the watch.”

“Did you give him the watch?”

“No, sir, I forgot it. I was so scared.”

“Where is it?”

“In my pocket.”

“Let me see it.”

The boy handed to Nick a magnificent gold hunting case watch. Merely glancing at it, Nick said:

“I’ll return this to Mr. Redway. You needn’t tell him that the jeweler’s place was closed.”

“But——”