great surprise, therefore."

After supper Jack suggested to Percival that they go up to the
Van der Donk house and see the nurse, as they might learn more
about the man who had claimed the watch.

"It is a good idea, Jack," said Dick, "but I guess you will need to
be careful how you proceed with that excitable creature, who is
ready to go up in the air at the slightest notice."

"Yes, it will be necessary to observe caution if we wish to learn
anything. These foreigners are very excitable, especially the women,
and one has to be cautious in dealing with them."

Early in the evening the two boys went up to the Van der Donk house,
being met by Margaret, who seemed very glad to see them, and said:

"We have been busy putting things to rights, and if it does not look
very tidy here you must excuse it. Gabrielle has gone away, no one
knows why or where."

Jack glanced significantly at Percival, and said carelessly:

"Gabrielle? She was the nurse?"

"Yes, and I have been obliged to look after the baby, to help the
maids with the cleaning and dusting, to assist the cook, to look
after things generally and to keep father and mother from getting
into the dumps."