“Can’t it have dropped out of her pocket?” suggested Kittie.
“Ruel searched every foot of ground where you went.”
“Why can’t the thieves be pursued?” exclaimed Randolph, starting to his feet. “I’ll join a party, for one, to overtake them and recover the property!”
“Sit down and finish your coffee, my boy,” said his uncle, smiling. “The sheriff and two assistants started on their track half an hour ago. But I fear it won’t be of much use, as they are too cunning to be easily caught. Of course they will deny all knowledge of the watch, probably having hidden it when they heard the officers coming.”
“Will they be arrested?”
“Yes.”
The girls began to look frightened.
“And where will they be brought, sir?”
“Here. I am a Trial Justice in this county,” said Mr. Percival, rising.
Just then Tom entered the room, looking as if he had not slept very soundly, after all.