“That watch belonged to my grandfather,” he said. “You don't claim that, do you?”

“Wouldn't take it as a gift,” said the loser crustily.

“You couldn't get it in exchange for yours!” retorted the owner.

Presently they came to Walter. If he had not attached the gold watch to his chain, instead of his old silver one, he would have been tempted¹ to leave it in his pocket and produce the less valuable one. But he was saved from the temptation, as this would now have been impossible. Besides, had the gold watch been found on him afterward² it would have looked very suspicious.

“Well, youngster,” said the stout³ man, “show us your watch.”

With a flushed face and an uneasy feeling Walter drew out the gold timepiece.

“Is that your watch?” he said.

“Yes!” almost shouted the stout passenger, fiercely. “So you are the thief?”

“No, sir,” answered Walter, pale but firm. “I am not the thief.”

“Where did you get it, then?”

“I bought it.”

“You bought it? That's a likely story.”

“Why, it was taken from me this very afternoon.”

“That may be, but I bought it, all the same.”

The owner was about to protest, when the conductor said quietly: “Listen to the young fellow's explanation.”

Walter proceeded:

“A man came to my seat and told me he wanted to raise enough money to get to Dakota. He offered me the watch for twenty-five dollars, though he said it cost him ninety six months ago.”

“And you paid him twenty-five dollars?”

“No; I had no money to spare, but when he offered it for twenty, and told me I could more than get my money back either by pawning⁴ or selling it, I made up my mind to purchase, and did so.”

“Where is this man?” asked the conductor.

“He said he was going into the smoking-car.”

“That's a likely story,”

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