“It does not belong to any of us,” said the gentleman.

“I would very much like to have one like it,” said Margaret, “but it does not belong to me.  You say it was found last night at our house?”

“The young gentleman found it in his pocket, but, of course, it got there by accident.  It is very singular.”

“We have missed nothing, which is rather singular, seeing that there were so many strangers at the house.  Of course, I do not include the boys.  We would hardly call them strangers, being such near neighbors, and having the reputation they have, besides doing such a great service to.”

“And the watch does not belong to you?” asked Dr. Wise, who was growing rather tired of the fulsome praise of the descendant of one of the oldest and best families in the Hudson valley.

“No, it does not,” said Margaret.

“Then I shall have to advertise it.  It is very singular.  I thought it might be yours, but this makes it all the more mysterious.”

The boys were obliged to listen to a long speech of thanks from Mr. Van der Donk, at the end of which they were presented with an engrossed set of resolutions drawn up by the donor, which he had had copied that very morning, the language being as full of flourishes as the penmanship.

“Some one must respond to the speech, and thank the gentleman for his very complimentary gift,” suggested the doctor, and with almost one accord the Hilltop boys selected Jack Sheldon as their spokesman.

In a well chosen speech of five minutes, expressing more in that time than the descendant of an old family had expressed in his hour, Jack thanked him on behalf of the boys, stopping when he had finished and not repeating himself, as too many impromptu speakers do.

Then Mr. Van der Donk replied, and said all that he had said before, prating on till the boys began to yawn and to shift their feet from one side to the other, for they had been standing all this time, and were very tired.

When the gentleman had gone, the boys were dismissed, and some of them went to their tents, others going out on the river.

“Old Van is a tiresome old bore, Jack,” said Percival when the two boys were out on the river, gliding along side by side.  “I would not like to have to listen to him all day as his family must.”

Jack smiled, but did not express any opinion regarding the gentleman in question, making it a rule never to give an adverse opinion of any one if he could not praise.

“I suppose if there is no owner found for the watch it will go to you, Jack?” Dick continued.

“I am sure I don’t want it, Dick.  It is not a boy’s watch, and it is altogether too expensive a thing for me to carry.  The rest of my things don’t match it at all.”

“You could sell it, I suppose?  Or you might make a present of it to Miss Margaret.  You said she was greatly taken with it.”