As it was Sunday morning, there was no drill, and the cadets were gathering in the mess-hall for breakfast.
"Pepper, did you see my watch ?" asked Jack, coming up to his chum.
"Your watch?
No," was the ready reply.
"You didn't ?" cried the young major, and now he was more concerned than ever.
"Saw it last night, when you put it on the stand as usual." "You didn't hide it?
Come, now, tell the truth." "Honor bright; the last I saw of it was when you placed it on the stand when you went to bed." "It's gone; and the chain with it." "You don't mean it, Jack! Did you look all around ?" "Everywhere." "Did you ask the other fellows about it ?" "No; but I will, right away." The young major walked to one roommate after another and asked about his watch and chain.

All denied knowing anything about the timepiece.
Several had seen him place the watch on the stand at the head of the bed, but that was all.
"Well, it's a mystery what has become of it, that's sure," was Jack's comment.

"It certainly couldn't walk off by itself." "Well, a good watch knows how to run," remarked Pepper, dryly, for he couldn't help having his joke.

"But, seriously, Jack, do you think somebody stole the watch and chain ?" "I don't know what to think." "I don't imagine anybody in our dormitory would do such a thing." "Neither do I.But the watch and chain are gone.

The question is, Where ?" "Hadn't you better report the matter to Captain Putnam ?" "I will, after I have taken another look around," answered the young major, and left the mess-room just as the bell rang for breakfast.
"Why did Major Ruddy leave ?" asked Josiah Crabtree, harshly, as he saw that the young officer was missing.
"He had something of importance to attend to," answered Pepper.
"Humph! It is his duty to be at the table on time, if he wants his breakfast," muttered the dictatorial teacher.
Jack did not come back for the best part of half an hour.