VI

THE GIRLS

"Well?" asked Dunk, after a pause, during which Andy had sat staring at
the fireplace. A blaze had been kindled there, but it had died down, and
now there was only a mere flicker.

"Are you sure you left your watch on that pile of handkerchiefs?" asked
Andy, slowly.

"Dead sure. I remember it because I thought at the time that I was a
chump to treat that ticker the way I did, and I made up my mind I'd get
a good chain for it and have my watch pocket lined with chamois leather.
That's what made me think of it--the softness of the handkerchiefs. Why,
Andy, you can see the imprint of it plainly enough."

"Yes, I guess you're right."

"And it's gone."

"Right again."

"Were you in the room all the time I was out?"

"Most all the while. I went to get a new electric lamp for the one that
had burned out."

"Was anyone here besides you?"

Andy hesitated. Then he answered:

"Yes, two persons."

"Who?"

"Ikey Stein----"

"That----"

Andy held up a warning hand.

"Don't call any names," he advised. "Ikey did you and me a good service.
We mustn't forget that."

"All right, I won't. Who else was in here?"

"Link Bardon."

"Who's he?"

"That farmer lad I was telling you about--the one we fellows saved from
a beating."

"Oh, yes. I remember."

"He's working here now. He came in to borrow some money. I found him
here when I came back--our door was open."

"By Jove! That lock! I meant to get it fixed. Well, I can see what
happened. The quadrangle mystery deepens, and I'm elected. The beggar
got my watch!" Dunk started out.

"Where are you going?" asked Andy.

"To telephone for a locksmith. I'm going to have our door fixed. Don't
laugh--the old saying--'lock the stable after the horse is stolen.' I
know it."

"Wait a minute," suggested Andy. "While you're at it hadn't you better
give notice of the robbery?"

"I suppose so. But what good will it do? None of the fellows have gotten
back anything that's been taken. But I sure am sorry to lose that
watch."

"So am I," spoke Andy. "Look here, Dunk, there are two persons who might
have taken it--no, three."

"How three?"

"Counting me."

"Oh, piffle. But I suppose if I made a row it would look bad for Ikey
and your friend Link."

"It sure would. I think maybe you'd better not make a row."

"You mean sit down and let 'em walk off with my watch without saying a
word?"

"Oh, no. Report the loss, of course. But don't mention an