"It is a lady's watch," said the other slowly, and in well modulated
tones. "It was a present to my wife, and, of course, I am sorry to
lose it, and will give a good reward for its return. It was stolen
from the house where I live a few weeks ago, and I have been trying
to find it ever since. I did succeed in tracing the man whom I
suspected of stealing it, but when he was arrested the watch was not
in his possession. I saw an advertisement in the paper only this
afternoon, which made me think that perhaps this might be the watch
I am in search of."

Jack looked closely at the man who did not have the marks of a bad
character anywhere, being well dressed, well spoken, and evidently
a man of easy means and considerable culture.

There was something about him, nevertheless, that made Jack think
he was not what he seemed, and he tried to think what it was and to
place him in his mind.

"Will you describe the watch, please?"

"Certainly, with the greatest of pleasure," and the man proceeded
to give an accurate description of the watch, not omitting the
slightest detail, giving the name of the maker, the size, the
number of diamonds on the case, and, in fact, everything about it.

"Number, please?" said Jack, still looking fixedly at the man.
"You will know the number of the watch, of course? Persons who
own valuable watches always make a record of the number."