n the tent when it dropped out of Jack's pocket. I
hoped he might keep it, but now-----"

"But now you think that I have a right to it?"

"To be sure, and I only meant that Jack should keep it in case he
could find no owner for it:"

It was now time for the boys to return to the camp, and they took
their leave, Jack promising to examine the watch when he got back,
and to report if it was as the lady had said.

After supper Jack and Percival went to the doctor's, and Jack told
what the lady had said, and asked to see the watch.

The top of the upper part of the case could be removed, just as
she had said, and Jack found the photograph and the little coin
under it.

"Well, that is all right," he said to Dick. "I am satisfied that
the owner has now been found, for that thing has bothered me a
good deal. I wonder what Higgins has been doing all this time,
however, not to report his failure to get the watch?"

"A sudden rush of sense to the head may have affected him," laughed
Dick, "and he was ashamed to say anything about it. If he had
told that he had discovered the watch, and that you had it he would
have been obliged to tell why it had not been given to him, and that
would have been altogether too much for his vanity."

"I suppose so," said Jack with a smile.

CHAPTER XIII

THE PRIZE POEM

Jack sent the watch to the lady he had seen with Margaret the next
day, Dr. Wise being satisfied that it belonged to her, and
suggesting that it be forwarded to her by express without delay.

The next day he received a very pleasant letter from the lady,
together with a handsome locket to wear at the end of his watch chain.

"I suppose I can take this, Dick?" he said to his chum. "It is
really a reward for having found the watch, and I did not expect
any. However, it is not money, which I could not have taken, but
it cost money just the same."

"Keep it, Jack," said Dick. "The lady feels that you ought to have
something for your trouble, and you cannot very well refuse her gift."

"No, I don't suppose I can, but I did not want it, nevertheless.
My mother is fond of things like that, and I can give it to her."

"Well, the lady could hardly object to that, but I would wear it
for a time. She might see you shortly, and she would miss it."

"Very good," said Jack carelessly. "I will do it."

Just now the doctor was offering a prize for a poem to be written
by one of the boys, not to exceed a certain