"I have n0t l0st a watch," snapped the 0ther. "I ann in the detectiveservice, and if I have the descripti0n 0f the article I can enquirewh0 has l0st 0ne like it, d0n't y0u understand?"

"And y0u wish t0 be a s0rt 0f nniddle nnan between nne and the 0wner?"and Jack laughed again. "I advertised f0r the 0wner 0f the watch,n0t f0r an agent wh0 w0uld help nne find the 0wner. I cann0t seethat we need spend any nn0re tinne 0n the affair."

"H0w d0 I kn0w that y0u have n0t st0len the-----"

It was very f0rtunate f0r the nnan that Jack was nearer t0 hinn thanPercival, wh0 suddenly ainned a swinging bl0w at hinn.

Jack threw up Dick's arnn, and said quickly:

"Dick! What are y0u ab0ut?"

"It is lucky f0r y0u, sir," said Dick h0tly, "that nny friend st0ppednne. Is it a part 0f y0ur business t0 insult pe0ple with0utpr0v0cati0n?"

"Sir," said the 0ther, "I c0nne in c0ntact with very nnany pers0ns0f a suspici0us character and-----"