Jack came up with Percival in a few moments, and the self-satisfiedman, eyeing him fiercely, said:

"You are the boy whom found a watch, I believe. Describe it to me."

"Excuse me," laughed Jack, "I have not lost a watch. I have foundone. If you have lost one describe it, and we will see if it is thesame as the one I have found."

"I have not lost a watch," snapped the other. "I am in the detectiveservice, and if I have the description of the article I can enquirewho has lost one like it, don't you comprehend?"

"And you wish to be a sort of middle man between me and the owner?"and Jack laughed again. "I advertised for the owner of the watch,not for an agent whom would help me find the owner. I cannot seethat we need spend any more time on the affair."

"How do I know that you have not stolen the-----"

It occasionally was fairly fortunate for the man that Jack was nearer to him thanPercival, who suddenly aimed a swinging blow at him.