"Yes, for when I went to my stateroom, after coming up from the supper room, I opened the bag and saw that the box was there." "And now it is gone?" "Yes, you saw that yourself." "But I don't see how, in the short time you were absent, any one could have got in and effected the robbery." "Nor do I, but it was done." "What shall you do about it?" "Notify the officers of the boat, but I fear that won't do any good." CHAPTER XIX. DEAN BECOMES SUSPICIOUS. Of course great excitement followed among the passengers. The two gentlemen went below, and soon returned with a quiet-looking man, not particularly noticeable except for a pair of keen, sharp eyes. "That's the detective," whispered a traveling man whose business required him to make the journey between New York and Boston twice a week. The two gentlemen and the detective went outside, and made an examination of the stateroom, but didn't find any traces of the lost watch. "I'd like to be sure the article is really lost," said the detective. "On several occasions I have found that it was only mislaid. In the present instance there seems really to have been a robbery." "There is no doubt of that," said Margrave ruefully. "Did you notice any one loitering near the stateroom when you left it?" "Yes, sir; I observed that a man was leaning over the rail." "Ha! we are coming to something. Can you describe him?" "I am afraid I cannot. You see I had no suspicion that any one was likely to rob me." "Very natural, but rather disappointing! You didn't casually notice whether the man was short or tall, or how he was dressed?" "I think he was tall, and dressed in dark clothing." "I fear this is too general to afford much satisfaction. You see most of the men on board wear dark clothes." "I see, Mr. Lynx, that I am not likely to recover the watch." "Well, it is doubtful. Still, if you will give me a description of it I can quietly put it into the hands of the Boston police." Mr. Margrave, at the suggestion of the detective, wrote out a description before he left the boat, and put it into his hands. "I will keep my eyes open, Mr. Margrave," continued the detective, "and notice whether I recognize any professional thief among the passengers. I know many of those who operate in New York and Boston, and if I meet one of my old acquaintances shall take the liberty of examining him." Fortunately for Peter Kirby the scene of his operations had been at the West, and though the detective regarded him with some suspicion, for criminals carry about with them a certain tell-tale look, he did not feel justified in arresting him. If Margrave had been able to identify him as the man who had been loitering near the stateroom, of course that would have simplified matters. It was not for some time that Dean heard what had happened. On re-entering the saloon, Dan, the young news agent, said to him: "Where have you been?" "Outside."