The boys led the way to the cottage, which the doctor occupied, and went to his study where they found him.

“Write the number of the watch you are in search of on a piece of paper, and let the doctor see the number of the watch,” said Jack to the detective, after telling the doctor why they had come.  Then we will see if this is the one or not.

The man wrote a number on a card, and handed it to the doctor, who took the watch from a pigeon hole in his desk and opened it.

“The number is identical,” he said, and handed the watch and the card with the number on it to Jack that he might compare them.

“Yes, so they are,” the boy said, showing them to Dick.  “This is certainly the watch you are in search of.”

“May I ask you where and how you found it?” asked the detective, still with the accusing air that both Dick and Jack himself resented.

“I found it in my pocket after coming from the fire at Mr. Van der Donk’s house last night or this morning,” he replied.

“In your pocket?  Was not that a singular place to find it?  How did it get in your pocket?”

“You know as much about that as I do,” said the boy quietly.

“Are you sure you did not put it there yourself?” asked the man in an insinuating manner, which Jack resented.

“Dr. Wise,” he said, flushing, “will you tell this person what I told you when I gave you the watch this morning?  I am afraid I cannot keep my temper if I talk with him any longer.”

“And I know I shall not!” sputtered Percival.

“The young gentleman did gallant work at the fire last night, and came home very much fatigued,” said the doctor.  “While undressing with his companion who is here, this watch dropped from his trousers pocket.  Percival will doubtless tell you the same.  This is what he told me when he handed me the watch this morning.  If you suspect him you do him an act of the rankest injustice.”

“This watch has been stolen,” said the other.  “The thief was traced to Riverton.  He went to the fire last night with a number of suspicious characters who generally congregate at such places in the hope of gain.  The watch was doubtless passed from one person to another, for it was not in the possession of the suspected man who denies all knowledge of it.  Now I want to know how this boy got hold of it.”

“He does not know any more than you do, and I have told you just what he told me, and which I believe.”

“It sounds very queer,” said the detective.  “I shall have to hold him for the Grand—–­”

“I beg your pardon, you will do nothing of the sort, in fact, you cannot,” said the doctor.

“Just let the Hilltoppers hear him, and see what they will have to say about it!” sputtered Percival under his breath.

CHAPTER VIII

WHAT JACK AND DICK OVERHEARD