“Yes, that is the strangest thing about it.  How did it get there?  I did not put it there, I am certain.”

Percival examined the watch, which Jack handed to him, and said: 

“Yes, it is a very expensive gold watch, aside from the case, which is set with diamonds.  The watch itself is one of the best foreign makes, and probably cost anywhere from one to two hundred dollars for the works alone.  Then add the price of the case, and you have a nice little sum to pay for a little watch such as a lady carries.”

“But how did I get hold of it, Dick?  Could I have picked it up at the fire, and not known anything about it?  We were all pretty well excited, and this might have happened.”

“I am sure I don’t know, Jack.  I did not see you pick it up.  You don’t remember anything about it?”

“No, not the first thing, Dick.  Well, I shall give it to the doctor in the morning, and ask him to make enquiries about it.  If I picked it up anywhere it must have been at the fire.”

“Yes, I don’t know where else you could have done it.”

The boys were not required to get up as early as usual the next morning on account of having been deprived of two or three hours’ sleep to go to the fire, but as soon as they were through breakfast and drill Jack took the watch he had so singularly found to the doctor, telling him how he had found it, and asking him to seek an owner for it.

“H’m, ha, well, I declare!” said the doctor, turning the watch over and over, and examining it closely.  “Quite a valuable article, Sheldon.  And you don’t know how it came in your pocket?”

“No, sir, I have not the slightest idea.”

“H’m, ha, very singular!” and the doctor looked the watch over again.  “If you did not have a very good reputation, Sheldon, I should say that there was something very suspicious about this, but I am as much puzzled to get at the solution of this mystery as you are.  Well, well, I will take charge of it, and if no one speaks of it will advertise it in the local paper.”

“That is a good idea, sir.  I can get Mr. Brooke to advertise it.  His paper is taken very extensively in this section.”

“Could the young lady have dropped it when you met her at the fire?” asked Dr. Wise.  “She nearly fainted in your arms, I understand.”

“Possibly, sir,” said Jack.  “Perhaps it will be well to ask Mr. Van der Donk if he has missed the watch.  There are no initials on it to show the owner, but it is likely that it belongs to Miss Margaret, being a lady’s watch.  Will you enquire?”

“Certainly.  It is likely that some one from the house will be at the camp this morning in any event.”

An hour later Mr. Van der Donk called with his daughter to compliment the boys on their services of the night before, and to thank them personally for what they had done.

The doctor asked him if he had missed a valuable watch, and showed him the one which Jack had found.