pect," said Lancy, "and they must have lost these articles. Perhaps we
will find some trace of the owner if we search the handbag when we get
home. Here we are, Miss Gordon, none the worse for your tumble, I hope," he
added, as he drew up to the curb-stone, and Hugh helped her up the steps to
the door. The rest of the party were then left at their respective
door-steps, as they drove along towards home.

At Elsie's request, Dexie followed her into the house, and they were soon
searching the contents of the handbag for some clue to its owner, but with
little success. Not so, however, with the watch, for as Lancy touched the
spring and caused the case to fly open his exclamation of surprise caused
Dexie to look up, and a flush of crimson spread over her face as she read
the words that revealed its owner, for engraved on the inside of the case
were these words:

"Presented to Lieutenant Wilbur by his brother officers, in token of
distinguished bravery."

Hugh could not understand the meaning of Dexie's flushed face, even though
he stepped forward and read the inscription over Lancy's shoulder, for he
had never learned just how Dexie had escaped from the vessel, but supposed
that Lancy had in some way brought it about.

"One good turn deserves another, and--gets it this time," said Lancy, with
a meaning smile. "I fancy that Lieutenant Wilbur would not care to lose
this particular watch."

"Will you send it back to him, Lancy?" said Dexie.

"No, not I; but I will send him word where he will find it. Do you remember
his address?"

"Well, I think I have his card somewhere; but I don't want to see him,
Lancy," she said, in a low tone.

Hugh heard the whispered conversation, and wondered what connection there
could be between Dexie and the lieutenant that caused such a look on her
face at the sight of his name.

Dexie left the watch in Lancy's care and went home, but she was present
next evening when the lieutenant called to claim his property; and as he
brought with him a letter of introduction from Major Gurney, he was well
received, and his pleasant and affable manner won golden opinions from all.

Yet not from all, either, for Hugh McNeil watched him with frowning brows,
and he scowled darkly as he observed Dexie and the lieutenant in close
conversation in a corner by themselves.

When Hugh met the lieutenant in the hall on his way out, he did not
hesitate to put the question that had been troubling him all day: