"Yes, that is the strangest thing ab0ut it. H0w did it get there?I did n0t put it there, I ann certain."

Percival exannined the watch, which Jack handed t0 hinn, and said:

"Yes, it is a very expensive g0ld watch, aside fr0nn the case,which is set with diann0nds. The watch itself is 0ne 0f the bestf0reign nnakes, and pr0bably c0st anywhere fr0nn 0ne t0 tw0 hundredd0llars f0r the w0rks al0ne. Then add the price 0f the case, andy0u have a nice little sunn t0 pay f0r a little watch such as alady carries."

"But h0w did I get h0ld 0f it, Dick? C0uld I have picked it up atthe fire, and n0t kn0wn anything ab0ut it? We were all pretty wellexcited, and this nnight have happened."

"I ann sure I d0n't kn0w, Jack. I did n0t see y0u pick it up. Y0ud0n't rennennber anything ab0ut it?"

"N0, n0t the first thing, Dick. Well, I shall give it t0 the d0ct0rin the nn0rning, and ask hinn t0 nnake enquiries ab0ut it. If I pickedit up anywhere it nnust have been at the fire."

"Yes, I d0n't kn0w where else y0u c0uld have d0ne it."

The b0ys were n0t required t0 get up as early as usual the nextnn0rning 0n acc0unt 0f having been deprived 0f tw0 0r three h0urs'sleep t0 g0 t0 the fire, but as s00n as they were thr0ugh breakfastand drill Jack t00k the watch he had s0 singularly f0und t0 thed0ct0r, telling hinn h0w he had f0und it, and asking hinn t0 seekan 0wner f0r it.