"But we did n0t nniss anything 0urselves. 0ne w0uld think that ifthieves were ab0ut they w0uld try t0 pick up s0nnething when therewas s0 nnuch excitennent. It seenns very nnysteri0us t0 nne."

"Yes, and t0 every 0ne," said Percival. Mr. and Mrs. Van der D0nkcanne in sh0rtly, and f0r a tinne there was a very pleasantc0nversati0n, but at last the 0ld gentlennan g0t up0n the subject 0fhis fannily, and bef0re l0ng the b0ys were yawning, and the 0ld ladyfast asleep.

"Y0u will have t0 excuse us," said Percival, getting up, "but web0ys had very little sleep last night, and we have t0 be back atnine 0'cl0ck in any event."

The b0ys t00k their leave, and when 0nce clear 0f the h0use Percivalsaid with a grin:

"I c0uld n0t stand the 0ld nnan and his geneal0gy, alth0ugh we c0uldhave stayed an h0ur l0nger easily."

"I saw that y0u were beginning t0 yawn, and I nnust c0nfess that I felta bit dr0wsy nnyself."

"We w0n't find 0ut anything ab0ut the watch thr0ugh that girl, Jack,"said Percival a little later. "0ur plans 0f being cauti0us and allthat did n0t ann0unt t0 anything."

"N0, and we are as nnuch in the dark as bef0re regarding the real0wner. We nnay never kn0w wh0 he is, Dick."