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"I'm sure of it," she replied. "They had a son Lambert, and there's an L for Lambert and a B for Boomphoffen, on the back, though, to be sure, there's an odd J, too, but the meester can look for himself." So saying, she drew forth the watch. "L.J.B.!" cried Dr. Boekman, springing toward her. Why attempt to describe the scene that followed?
"I don't know about that, vrouw. But you've got the right guess at a jump. It was your way always," said Raff, closing his eyes. "Take the watch to Boompkinks and try." "Not Boompkinks. I know no such name; it's Boomphoffen." "Aye, take it there." "Take it there, man! Why the whole brood of them's been gone to America these four years. But go to sleep, Raff, you look pale and out of strength.
"If you could remember the man's name, Raff," she began cautiously, "I might take the watch to him while you're sleeping. Gretel can't but be in soon." Raff tried to think but in vain. "Could it be Boomphoffen?" suggested the dame. "I've heard how they've had two sons turn out bad Gerard and Lambert?" "It might be," said Raff. "Look if there's letters on the watch; that'll guide us some."
"Bless thee, man," cried the happy dame, eagerly lifting the watch. "Why, thou'rt sharper than ever! Sure enough. Here's letters! L.J.B. That's Lambert Boomphoffen, you may depend. What the J is for I can't say, but they used to be grand kind o' people, high-feathered as fancy fowl. Just the kind to give their children all double names, which isn't Scripture, anyway."
"She has been sore touched of late about a lad whose folks have gone away none knows where and I had a message for them from the young gentleman." "The name was Boomphoffen," said the dame eagerly. "Do you know aught of the family, mynheer?" The doctor's reply was brief and gruff. "Yes. A troublesome set. They went long since to America."
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