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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West , by Edith Van
+Dyne
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West 
+
+Author: Edith Van Dyne
+
+Release Date: December 10, 2003  [eBook #10432]
+Last Updated: October 21, 2012
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES OUT WEST ***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Afra Ullah, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West
+
+By Edith Van Dyne
+
+1914
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER
+
+      I CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA
+
+     II AN OBJECT LESSON
+
+    III AN ATTRACTIVE GIRL
+
+     IV AUNT JANE'S NIECES
+
+      V A THRILLING RESCUE
+
+     VI A. JONES
+
+    VII THE INVALID
+
+   VIII THE MAGIC OF A NAME
+
+     IX DOCTOR PATSY
+
+      X STILL A MYSTERY
+
+     XI A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
+
+    XII PICTURES, GIRLS AND NONSENSE
+
+   XIII A FOOLISH BOY
+
+    XIV ISIDORE LE DRIEUX
+
+     XV A FEW PEARLS
+
+    XVI TROUBLE
+
+   XVII UNCLE JOHN IS PUZZLED
+
+  XVIII DOUBTS AND DIFFICULTIES
+
+    XIX MAUD MAKES A MEMORANDUM
+
+     XX A GIRLISH NOTION
+
+    XXI THE YACHT "ARABELLA"
+
+   XXII MASCULINE AND FEMININE
+
+  XXIII THE ADVANTAGE OF A DAY
+
+   XXIV PICTURE NUMBER NINETEEN
+
+    XXV JUDGMENT
+
+   XXVI SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA
+
+
+"This is getting to be an amazing old world," said a young girl, still in
+her "teens," as she musingly leaned her chin on her hand.
+
+"It has always been an amazing old world, Beth," said another girl who
+was sitting on the porch railing and swinging her feet in the air.
+
+"True, Patsy," was the reply; "but the people are doing such peculiar
+things nowadays."
+
+"Yes, yes!" exclaimed a little man who occupied a reclining chair within
+hearing distance; "that is the way with you young folks--always
+confounding the world with its people."
+
+"Don't the people make the world, Uncle John?" asked Patricia Doyle,
+looking at him quizzically.
+
+"No, indeed; the world could get along very well without its people; but
+the people--"
+
+"To be sure; they need the world," laughed Patsy, her blue eyes
+twinkling so that they glorified her plain, freckled face.
+
+"Nevertheless," said Beth de Graf, soberly, "I think the people have
+struck a rapid pace these days and are growing bold and impudent. The law
+appears to allow them too much liberty. After our experience of this
+morning I shall not be surprised at anything that happens--especially in
+this cranky state of California."
+
+"To what experience do you allude, Beth?" asked Uncle John, sitting up
+straight and glancing from one to another of his two nieces. He was a
+genial looking, round-faced man, quite bald and inclined to be a trifle
+stout; yet his fifty-odd years sat lightly upon him.
+
+"Why, we had quite an adventure this morning," said Patsy, laughing
+again at the recollection, and answering her uncle because Beth
+hesitated to. "For my part, I think it was fun, and harmless fun, at
+that; but Beth was scared out of a year's growth. I admit feeling a
+little creepy at the time, myself; but it was all a joke and really we
+ought not to mind it at all."
+
+"Tell me all about it, my dear!" said Mr. Merrick, earnestly, for
+whatever affected his beloved nieces was of prime importance to him.
+
+"We were taking our morning stroll along the streets," began Patsy, "when
+on turning a corner we came upon a crowd of people who seemed to be
+greatly excited. Most of them were workmen in flannel shirts, their
+sleeves rolled up, their hands grimy with toil. These stood before a
+brick building that seemed like a factory, while from its doors other
+crowds of workmen and some shopgirls were rushing into the street and
+several policemen were shaking their clubs and running here and there in
+a sort of panic. At first Beth and I stopped and hesitated to go on, but
+as the sidewalk seemed open and fairly free I pulled Beth along, thinking
+we might discover what the row was about. Just as we got opposite the
+building a big workman rushed at us and shouted: 'Go back--go back! The
+wall is falling.'
+
+"Well, Uncle, you can imagine our dismay. We both screamed, for we
+thought our time had come, for sure. My legs were so weak that Beth had
+to drag me away and her face was white as a sheet and full of terror.
+Somehow we managed to stagger into the street, where a dozen men caught
+us and hurried us away. I hardly thought we were in a safe place when the
+big workman cried: 'There, young ladies; that will do. Your expression
+was simply immense and if this doesn't turn out to be the best film of
+the year, I'll miss my guess! Your terror-stricken features will make a
+regular hit, for the terror wasn't assumed, you know. Thank you very much
+for happening along just then.'"
+
+Patsy stopped her recital to laugh once more, with genuine merriment, but
+her cousin Beth seemed annoyed and Uncle John was frankly bewildered.
+
+"But--what--what--was it all about?" he inquired.
+
+"Why, they were taking a moving picture, that was all, and the workmen
+and shopgirls and policemen were all actors. There must have been a
+hundred of them, all told, and when we recovered from our scare I could
+hear the machine beside me clicking away as it took the picture."
+
+"Did the wall fall?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Not just then. They first got the picture of the rush-out and the
+panic, and then they stopped the camera and moved the people to a safe
+distance away. We watched them set up some dummy figures of girls and
+workmen, closer in, and then in some way they toppled over the big brick
+wall. It fell into the street with a thundering crash, but only the
+dummies were buried under the debris."
+
+Mr. Merrick drew a long breath.
+
+"It's wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Why, it must have cost a lot of money to
+ruin such a building--and all for the sake of a picture!"
+
+"That's what I said to the manager," replied Patsy; "but he told us the
+building was going to be pulled down, anyhow, and a better one built in
+its place; so he invented a picture story to fit the falling walls and it
+didn't cost him so much as one might think. So you see, Uncle, we are in
+that picture--big as life and scared stiff--and I'd give a lot to see how
+we look when we're positively terror-stricken."
+
+"It will cost you just ten cents," remarked Beth, with a shrug; "that is,
+if the picture proves good enough to be displayed at one of those horrid
+little theatres."
+
+"One?" said Uncle John. "One thousand little theatres, most likely, will
+show the picture, and perhaps millions of spectators will see you and
+Patsy running from the falling wall."
+
+"Dear me!" wailed Patsy. "That's more fame than I bargained for. Do
+millions go to see motion pictures, Uncle?"
+
+"I believe so. The making of these pictures is getting to be an enormous
+industry. I was introduced to Otis Werner, the other day, and he told me
+a good deal about it. Werner is with one of the big concerns here--the
+Continental, I think--and he's a very nice and gentlemanly fellow. I'll
+introduce you to him, some time, and he'll tell you all the wonders of
+the motion picture business."
+
+"I haven't witnessed one of those atrocious exhibitions for months,"
+announced Beth; "nor have I any desire to see one again."
+
+"Not our own special picture?" asked Patsy reproachfully.
+
+"They had no right to force us into their dreadful drama," protested
+Beth. "Motion pictures are dreadfully tiresome things--comedies and
+tragedies alike. They are wild and weird in conception, quite unreal and
+wholly impossible. Of course the scenic pictures, and those recording
+historical events, are well enough in their way, but I cannot understand
+how so many cheap little picture theatres thrive."
+
+"They are the poor people's solace and recreation," declared Mr. Merrick.
+"The picture theatre has become the laboring man's favorite resort. It
+costs him but five or ten cents and it's the sort of show he can
+appreciate. I'm told the motion picture is considered the saloon's worst
+enemy, for many a man is taking his wife and children to a picture
+theatre evenings instead of joining a gang of his fellows before the bar,
+as he formerly did."
+
+"That is the best argument in their favor I have ever heard," admitted
+Beth, who was strong on temperance; "but I hope, Uncle, you are not
+defending the insolent methods of those picture-makers."
+
+"Not at all, my dear. I consider the trapping of innocent bystanders to
+be--eh--er--highly reprehensible, and perhaps worse. If I can discover
+what picture manager was guilty of the act, I shall--shall--"
+
+"What, Uncle?"
+
+"I shall hint that he owes you an apology," he concluded, rather lamely.
+
+Beth smiled scornfully.
+
+"Meantime," said she, "two very respectable girls, who are not actresses,
+will be exhibited before the critical eyes of millions of stupid workmen,
+reformed drunkards, sad-faced women and wiggling children--not in
+dignified attitudes, mind you, but scurrying from what they supposed was
+an imminent danger."
+
+"I hope it will do the poor things good to see us," retorted Patsy. "To
+be strictly honest, Beth, we were not trapped at all; we were the victims
+of circumstances. When I remember how quick-witted and alert that manager
+was, to catch us unawares and so add to the value of his picture, I can
+quite forgive the fellow his audacity."
+
+"It wasn't audacity so much as downright impudence!" persisted Beth.
+
+"I quite agree with you," said Mr. Merrick. "Do you wish me to buy that
+film and prevent the picture's being shown?"
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Patsy in protest. "I'm dying to see how we look. I
+wouldn't have that picture sidetracked for anything."
+
+"And you, Beth?"
+
+"Really, Uncle John, the thing is not worth worrying over," replied his
+niece. "I am naturally indignant at being drawn into such a thing against
+my will, but I doubt if anyone who knows us, or whose opinion we value,
+will ever visit a moving picture theatre or see this film. The common
+people will not recognize us, of course."
+
+You must not think Beth de Graf was snobbish or aristocratic because of
+this speech, which her cousin Patsy promptly denounced as "snippy." Beth
+was really a lovable and sunny-tempered girl, very democratic in her
+tastes in spite of the fact that she was the possessor of an unusual
+fortune. She was out of sorts to-day, resentful of the fright she had
+endured that morning and in the mood to say harsh things.
+
+Even Patricia Doyle had been indignant, at first; but Patsy's judgment
+was clearer than her cousin's and her nature more responsive. She quickly
+saw the humorous side of their adventure and could enjoy the recollection
+of her momentary fear.
+
+These two girls were spending the winter months in the glorious climate
+of Southern California, chaperoned by their uncle and guardian, John
+Merrick. They had recently established themselves at a cosy hotel in
+Hollywood, which is a typical California village, yet a suburb of the
+great city of Los Angeles. A third niece, older and now married--Louise
+Merrick Weldon--lived on a ranch between Los Angeles and San Diego, which
+was one reason why Uncle John and his wards had located in this pleasant
+neighborhood.
+
+To observe this trio--the simple, complacent little man and his two young
+nieces--no stranger would suspect them to be other than ordinary
+tourists, bent on escaping the severe Eastern winter; but in New York the
+name of John Merrick was spoken with awe in financial circles, where his
+many millions made him an important figure. He had practically retired
+from active business and his large investments were managed by his
+brother-in-law, Major Gregory Doyle, who was Miss Patsy's father and sole
+surviving parent. All of Mr. Merrick's present interest in life centered
+in his three nieces, and because Louise was happily married and had now
+an establishment of her own--including a rather new but very remarkable
+baby--Uncle John was drawn closer to the two younger nieces and devoted
+himself wholly to their welfare.
+
+The girls had not been rich when their fairy godfather first found them.
+Indeed, each of them had been energetically earning, or preparing to
+earn, a livelihood. Now, when their uncle's generosity had made them
+wealthy, they almost regretted those former busy days of poverty, being
+obliged to discover new interests in life in order to keep themselves
+occupied and contented. All three were open-handed and open-hearted,
+sympathetic to the unfortunate and eager to assist those who needed
+money, as many a poor girl and worthy young fellow could testify. In all
+their charities they were strongly supported by Mr. Merrick, whose
+enormous income permitted him to indulge in many benevolences. None gave
+ostentatiously, for they were simple, kindly folk who gave for the pure
+joy of giving and begrudged all knowledge of their acts to anyone outside
+their own little circle.
+
+There is no doubt that John Merrick was eccentric. It is generally
+conceded that a rich man may indulge in eccentricities, provided he
+maintains a useful position in society, and Mr. Merrick's peculiarities
+only served to render him the more interesting to those who knew him
+best. He did astonishing things in a most matter-of-fact way and acted
+more on impulse than on calm reflection; so it is not to be wondered at
+that the queer little man's nieces had imbibed some of his queerness.
+Being by nature lively and aggressive young women, whose eager interest
+in life would not permit them to be idle, they encountered many
+interesting experiences.
+
+They had just come from a long visit to Louise at the ranch and after
+conferring gravely together had decided to hide themselves in Hollywood,
+where they might spend a quiet and happy winter in wandering over the
+hills, in boating or bathing in the ocean or motoring over the hundreds
+of miles of splendid boulevards of this section.
+
+Singularly enough, their choice of a retreat was also the choice of a
+score or more of motion picture makers, who had discovered Hollywood
+before them and were utilizing the brilliant sunshine and clear
+atmosphere in the production of their films, which were supplied to
+picture theatres throughout the United States and Europe. Appreciating
+the value of such a monster industry, the authorities permitted the
+cameras to be set up on the public streets or wherever there was an
+appropriate scene to serve for a background to the photo-plays. It was no
+unusual sight to see troops of cowboys and Indians racing through the
+pretty village or to find the cameraman busy before the imposing
+residence of a millionaire or the vine-covered bungalow of a more modest
+citizen. No one seemed to resent such action, for Californians admire the
+motion picture as enthusiastically as do the inhabitants of the Eastern
+states, so the girls' "adventure" was really a common incident.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+AN OBJECT LESSON
+
+
+It was the following afternoon when Uncle John captured his casual
+acquaintance, Mr. Otis Werner, in the office of the hotel and dragged the
+motion picture man away to his rooms to be introduced to his nieces.
+
+"Here, my dears, is Mr. Werner," he began, as he threw open the door of
+their apartment and escorted his companion in. "He is one of those
+picture makers, you'll remember, and--and--"
+
+He paused abruptly, for Beth was staring at Mr. Werner with a frown on
+her usually placid features, while Patsy was giggling hysterically. Mr.
+Werner, a twinkle of amusement in his eye, bowed with exaggerated
+deference.
+
+"Dear me!" said Uncle John. "Is--is anything wrong!"
+
+"No; it's all right, Uncle," declared Patsy, striving to control a fresh
+convulsion of laughter. "Only--this is the same dreadful manager who
+dragged us into his picture yesterday."
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Mr. Werner; "I'm not a manager; I'm merely what
+is called in our profession a 'producer,' or a 'stage director.'"
+
+"Well, you're the man, anyhow," asserted Patsy. "So what have you to say
+for yourself, sir?"
+
+"If you were annoyed, I humbly apologize," he returned. "Perhaps I was
+unintentionally rude to frighten you in that way, but my excuse lies in
+our subservience to the demands of our art. We seldom hesitate at
+anything which tends to give our pictures the semblance of reality."
+
+"_Art_, did you say, Mr. Werner?" It was Beth who asked this and there
+was a bit of a sneer in her tone.
+
+"It is really art--art of the highest character," he replied warmly. "Do
+you question it, Miss--Miss--"
+
+"Miss de Graf. I suppose, to be fair, I must admit that the photography
+is art; but the subjects of your pictures, I have observed, are far from
+artistic. Such a picture, for instance, as you made yesterday can have
+little value to anyone."
+
+"Little value! Why, Miss de Graf, you astonish me," he exclaimed. "I
+consider that picture of the falling wall one of my greatest
+triumphs--and I've been making pictures for years. Aside from its
+realism, its emotional nature--'thrills,' we call it--this picture
+conveys a vivid lesson that ought to prove of great benefit to humanity."
+
+Beth was looking at him curiously now. Patsy was serious and very
+attentive. As Uncle John asked his visitor to be seated his voice
+betrayed the interest he felt in the conversation.
+
+"Of course we saw only a bit of the picture," said Patsy Doyle. "What was
+it all about, Mr. Werner?"
+
+"We try," said he, slowly and impressively, as if in love with his
+theme, "to give to our pictures an educational value, as well as to
+render them entertaining. Some of them contain a high moral lesson;
+others, a warning; many, an incentive to live purer and nobler lives.
+All of our plots are conceived with far more thought than you may
+suppose. Underlying many of our romances and tragedies are moral
+injunctions which are involuntarily absorbed by the observers, yet of so
+subtle a nature that they are not suspected. We cannot preach except by
+suggestion, for people go to our picture shows to be amused. If we
+hurled righteousness at them they would soon desert us, and we would be
+obliged to close up shop."
+
+"I must confess that this is, to me, a most novel presentation of the
+subject," said Beth, more graciously. "Personally, I care little for your
+pictures; but I can understand how travel scenes and scientific or
+educational subjects might be of real benefit to the people."
+
+"I can't understand anyone's being indifferent to the charm of motion
+pictures," he responded, somewhat reproachfully.
+
+"Why, at first they struck me as wonderful," said the girl. "They were
+such a novel invention that I went to see them from pure curiosity. But,
+afterward, the subjects presented in the pictures bored me. The drama
+pictures were cheap and common, the comedy scenes worse; so I kept away
+from the picture theatres."
+
+"Educational pictures," said Mr. Werner, musingly, "have proved a
+failure, as I hinted, except when liberally interspersed with scenes of
+action and human interest. The only financial failures among the host of
+motion picture theatres, so far as I have observed, are those that have
+attempted to run travel scenes and educational films exclusively. There
+are so few people with your--eh--culture and--and--elevated tastes, you
+see, when compared with the masses."
+
+"But tell us about _our_ picture," pleaded Patsy. "What lesson can that
+falling wall possibly convey?"
+
+"I'll be glad to explain that," he eagerly replied, "for I am quite proud
+of it, I assure you. There are many buildings throughout our larger
+cities that were erected as cheaply as possible and without a single
+thought for the safety of their tenants. So many disasters have resulted
+from this that of late years building inspectors have been appointed in
+every locality to insist on proper materials and mechanical efficiency
+in the erection of all classes of buildings. These inspectors, however,
+cannot tear the old buildings down to see if they are safe, and paint and
+plaster cover a multitude of sins of unscrupulous builders. Usually the
+landlord or owner knows well the condition of his property and in many
+cases refuses to put it into such shape as to insure the safety of his
+tenants. Greed, false economy and heartless indifference to the welfare
+of others are unfortunately too prevalent among the wealthy class. No
+ordinary argument could induce owners to expend money in strengthening or
+rebuilding their income-producing properties. But I get after them in my
+picture with a prod that ought to rouse them to action.
+
+"The picture opens with a scene in the interior of a factory. Men, girls
+and boys are employed. The foreman observes a warning crack in the wall
+and calls the proprietor's attention to it. In this case the manufacturer
+is the owner of the building, but he refuses to make repairs. His
+argument is that the wall has stood for many years and so is likely to
+stand for many more; it would be a waste of money to repair the old
+shell. Next day the foreman shows him that the crack has spread and
+extended along the wall in an alarming manner but still the owner will
+not act. The workmen counsel together seriously. They dare not desert
+their jobs, for they must have money to live. They send a petition to the
+owner, who becomes angry and swears he won't be driven to a useless
+expense by his own employees. In the next scene the manufacturer's
+daughter--his only child--having heard that the building was unsafe,
+comes to her father's office to plead with him to change his mind and
+make the needed repairs. Although he loves this daughter next to his
+money he resents her interference in a business matter, and refuses. Her
+words, however, impress him so strongly that he calls her back from the
+door to kiss her and say that he will give the matter further thought,
+for her sake.
+
+"As she leaves the office there is a cry of terror from the factory and
+the working people come rushing out of the now tottering building. That
+was when you two young ladies came walking up the street and were dragged
+out of danger by the foreman of the shop--in other words, by myself. The
+owner's daughter, bewildered by the confusion, hesitates what to do or
+which way to turn, and as she stands upon the sidewalk she is crushed by
+the falling wall, together with several of her father's employees."
+
+"How dreadful!" exclaimed Patsy.
+
+"Of course no one was actually hurt," he hastened to say; "for we used
+dummy figures for the wall to fall upon. In the final scene the bereaved
+father suddenly realizes that he has been working and accumulating only
+for this beloved child--the child whose life he has sacrificed by his
+miserly refusal to protect his workmen. His grief is so intense that no
+one who follows the story of this picture will ever hesitate to repair a
+building promptly, if he learns it is unsafe. Do you now understand the
+lesson taught, young ladies?"
+
+Mr. Werner's dramatic recital had strongly impressed the two girls, while
+Uncle John was visibly affected.
+
+"I'm very glad," said the little man fervently, "that none of my money is
+in factories or other buildings that might prove unsafe. It would make
+my life miserable if I thought I was in any way responsible for such a
+catastrophe as you have pictured."
+
+"It seems to me," observed Patsy, "that your story is unnecessarily
+cruel, Mr. Werner."
+
+"Then you do not understand human nature," he retorted; "or, at least,
+that phase of human nature I have aimed at. Those indifferent rich men
+are very hard to move and you must figuratively hit them squarely between
+the eyes to make them even wink."
+
+They were silent for a time, considering this novel aspect of the picture
+business. Then Beth asked:
+
+"Can you tell us, sir, when and where we shall be able to see this
+picture?"
+
+"It will be released next Monday."
+
+"What does that mean?"
+
+"It means that we, as manufacturers, supply certain agencies in all the
+large cities, who in turn rent our films to the many picture theatres.
+When a picture is ready, we send copies to all our agencies and set a
+day when they may release it, or give it to their customers to use. In
+this way the picture will be shown in all parts of the United States on
+the same day--in this case, next Monday."
+
+"Isn't that very quick?"
+
+"Yes. The picture we took yesterday will to-night be shipped, all
+complete and ready to run, to forty-four different centers."
+
+"And will any picture theatre in Hollywood or Los Angeles show it?"
+
+"Certainly. It will be at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles and at the
+Isis Theatre in Hollywood, for the entire week."
+
+"We shall certainly see it," announced Uncle John.
+
+When Mr. Werner had gone they conversed for some time on the subject of
+motion pictures, and the man's remarkable statement concerning them.
+
+"I had no idea," Beth confessed, "that the industry of making pictures is
+so extensive and involves so much thought and detail."
+
+"And money," added Uncle John. "It must be a great expense just to
+employ that army of actors."
+
+"I suppose Mr. Werner, being a theatrical man, has drawn the long bow in
+his effort to impress us," said Patsy. "I've been thinking over some of
+the pictures I've seen recently and I can't imagine a moral, however
+intangible or illusive, in connection with any of them. But perhaps I
+wasn't observant enough. The next time I go to a picture show I shall
+study the plays more carefully."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AN ATTRACTIVE GIRL
+
+
+On Saturday they were treated to a genuine surprise, for when the omnibus
+drew up before the hotel entrance it brought Arthur Weldon and his
+girl-wife, Louise, who was Uncle John's eldest niece. It also brought
+"the Cherub," a wee dimpled baby hugged closely in the arms of Inez, its
+Mexican nurse.
+
+Patsy and Beth shrieked in ecstasy as they rushed forward to smother
+"Toodlums," as they irreverently called the Cherub, with kisses. Inez, a
+handsome, dark-eyed girl, relinquished her burden cheerfully to the two
+adoring "aunties," while Uncle John kissed Louise and warmly shook the
+hand of her youthful husband.
+
+"What in the world induced you to abandon your beloved ranch?" inquired
+Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Don't ask me, sir!" replied Arthur, laughing at the elder gentleman's
+astonishment. He was a trim young fellow, with a clean-cut, manly face
+and frank, winning manners.
+
+"It's sort of between hay and grass with us, you know," he explained.
+"Walnuts all marketed and oranges not ready for the pickers. All our
+neighbors have migrated, this way or that, for their regular winter
+vacations, and after you all left, Louise and I began to feel lonely. So
+at breakfast this morning we decided to flit. At ten o'clock we caught
+the express, and here we are--in time for lunch. I hope it's ready,
+Uncle John."
+
+It was; but they must get their rooms and settle the baby in her new
+quarters before venturing to enter the dining room. So they were late for
+the midday meal and found themselves almost the only guests in the great
+dining hall.
+
+As they sat at table, chatting merrily together, Arthur asked:
+
+"What are you staring at, Patsy?"
+
+"A lovely girl," said she. "One of the loveliest girls I have ever seen.
+Don't look around, Arthur; it might attract their attention."
+
+"How many girls are there?"
+
+"Two; and a lady who seems to be their mother. The other girl is pretty,
+too, but much younger than her sister--or friend, for they do not
+resemble one another much. They came in a few minutes ago and are seated
+at the table in the opposite corner."
+
+"New arrivals, I suppose," remarked Uncle John, who from his position
+could observe the group.
+
+"No," said Patsy; "their waitress seems to know them well. But I've never
+before seen them in the hotel."
+
+"We are always early at meal time," explained Beth, "and to-day these
+people are certainly late. But they _are_ pretty girls, Patsy. For once I
+concur in your judgment."
+
+"You arouse my curiosity," said Arthur, speaking quietly, so as not to be
+overheard in the far corner. "If I hear more ecstatic praises of these
+girls I shall turn around and stare them out of countenance."
+
+"Don't," said Louise. "I'm glad your back is toward them, Arthur, for it
+preserves you from the temptation to flirt."
+
+"Oh, as for that, I do not need to turn around in order to see pretty
+girls," he replied.
+
+"Thank you, Arthur," said Patsy, making a face at him. "Look me over all
+you like, and flirt if you want to. I'm sure Louise won't object."
+
+"Really, Patsy, you're not bad to look at," he retorted, eyeing her
+critically. "Aside from your red hair, the pug nose and the freckles, you
+have many excellent qualities. If you didn't squint--"
+
+"Squint!"
+
+"What do you call that affection of your eyes?"
+
+"That," she said, calmly eating her dessert, "was a glance of
+scorn--burning, bitter scorn!"
+
+"I maintain it was a squint," declared Arthur.
+
+"That isn't her only expression," announced Uncle John, who loved these
+little exchanges of good-humored banter. "On Monday I will show you Patsy
+as a terror-stricken damsel in distress."
+
+"Also Beth, still more distressful," added Patsy; and then they told
+Louise and Arthur about the picture.
+
+"Fine!" he cried. "I'm deeply gratified that my own relatives--"
+
+"By marriage."
+
+"I am gratified that my secondhand cousins have been so highly honored.
+I'd rather see a good moving picture than the best play ever produced."
+
+"You'll see a good one this time," asserted Patsy, "for we are the
+stars."
+
+"I think that unscrupulous Mr. Werner deserves a reprimand," said Louise.
+
+"Oh, he apologized," explained Beth. "But I'm sure he'd take the same
+liberty again if he had the chance."
+
+"He admits that his love of art destroys his sense of propriety,"
+said Patsy.
+
+As they rose from the table Arthur deliberately turned to view the party
+in the other corner, and then to the amazement of his friends he coolly
+walked over and shook the elder lady's hand with evident pleasure. Next
+moment he was being introduced to the two girls. The three cousins and
+their Uncle John walked out of the dining hall and awaited Arthur Weldon
+in the lobby.
+
+"It is some old acquaintance, of course," said Louise. "Arthur knows a
+tremendous lot of people and remembers everyone he ever has met."
+
+When he rejoined them he brought the lady and the two beautiful girls
+with him, introducing Mrs. Montrose as one of his former acquaintances in
+New York, where she had been a near neighbor to the Weldons. The girls,
+who proved to be her nieces instead of her daughters, were named Maud and
+Florence Stanton, Maud being about eighteen years of age and Florence
+perhaps fifteen. Maud's beauty was striking, as proved by Patsy's
+admiration at first sight; Florence was smaller and darker, yet very
+dainty and witching, like a Dresden shepherdess.
+
+The sisters proved rather shy at this first meeting, being content to
+exchange smiles with the other girls, but their aunt was an easy
+conversationalist and rambled on about the delights of Hollywood and
+southern California until they were all in a friendly mood. Among other
+things Mrs. Montrose volunteered the statement that they had been at the
+hotel for several weeks, but aside from that remark disclosed little of
+their personal affairs. Presently the three left the hotel and drove
+away in an automobile, having expressed a wish to meet their new friends
+again and become better acquainted with them.
+
+"I was almost startled at running across Mrs. Montrose out here," said
+Arthur. "After father's death, when I gave up the old home, I lost track
+of the Montroses; but I seem to remember that old Montrose went to the
+happy hunting grounds and left a widow, but no children. I imagine these
+people are wealthy, as Montrose was considered a successful banker. I'll
+write to Duggins and inquire about them."
+
+"Duggins seems to know everything," remarked Louise.
+
+"He keeps pretty good track of New York people, especially of the old
+families," replied her husband.
+
+"I can't see what their history matters to us," observed Patsy. "I like
+to take folks as I find them, without regard to their antecedents or
+finances. Certainly those Stanton girls are wonderfully attractive and
+ladylike."
+
+But now the baby claimed their attention and the rest of that day was
+passed in "visiting" and cuddling the wee Toodlums, who seemed to know
+her girl aunties and greeted them with friendly coos and dimpled smiles.
+
+On Sunday they took a motor trip through the mountain boulevards and on
+their way home passed the extensive enclosure of the Continental Film
+Company. A thriving village has been built up at this place, known as
+Film City, for many of those employed by the firm prefer to live close to
+their work. Another large "plant" of the same concern is located in the
+heart of Hollywood.
+
+As they passed through Film City Uncle John remarked:
+
+"We are invited to visit this place and witness the making of a motion
+picture. I believe it would prove an interesting sight."
+
+"Let us go, by all means," replied Arthur. "I am greatly interested in
+this new industry, which seems to me to be still in its infancy. The
+development of the moving picture is bound to lead to some remarkable
+things in the future, I firmly believe."
+
+"So do I," said Uncle John. "They'll combine the phonograph with the
+pictures, for one thing, so that the players, instead of being silent,
+will speak as clearly as in real life. Then we'll have the grand operas,
+by all the most famous singers, elaborately staged; and we'll be able to
+see and hear them for ten cents, instead of ten dollars. It will be the
+same with the plays of the greatest actors."
+
+"That would open up a curious complication," asserted Louise. "The operas
+would only be given once, before the camera and the recorder. Then what
+would happen to all the high-priced opera singers?"
+
+"They would draw royalties on all their productions, instead of
+salaries," replied Arthur.
+
+"Rather easy for the great artists!" observed Patsy. "One
+performance--and the money rolling in for all time to come."
+
+"Well, they deserve it," declared Beth. "And think of what the public
+would gain! Instead of having to suffer during the performances of
+incompetent actors and singers, as we do to-day, the whole world would be
+able to see and hear the best talent of the ages for an insignificant
+fee. I hope your prediction will come true, Uncle John."
+
+"It's bound to," he replied, with confidence. "I've read somewhere that
+Edison and others have been working on these lines for years, and
+although they haven't succeeded yet, anything possible in mechanics is
+bound to be produced in time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+AUNT JANE'S NIECES
+
+
+The picture, which was entitled "The Sacrifice," proved--to use Patsy's
+words--"a howling success." On Monday afternoons the little theatres are
+seldom crowded, so Mr. Merrick's party secured choice seats where they
+could observe every detail of the photography. The girls could not wait
+for a later performance, so eager were they to see themselves in a motion
+picture, nor were they disappointed to find they were a mere incident in
+the long roll of film.
+
+The story of the photo-play was gripping in its intensity, and since Mr.
+Werner had clearly explained the lesson it conveyed, they followed the
+plot with rapt attention. In the last scene their entrance and exit was
+transitory, but they were obliged to admit that their features were
+really expressive of fear. The next instant the wall fell, burying its
+victims, and this rather bewildered them when they remembered that fully
+half an hour had elapsed while the dummies were being placed in position,
+the real people removed from danger and preparations made to topple over
+the wall from the inside of the building. But the camera had been
+inactive during that period and so cleverly had the parts of the picture
+been united that no pause whatever was observable to the spectators.
+
+"My! what a stuffy place," exclaimed Louise, as they emerged into the
+light of day. "I cannot understand why it is necessary to have these
+moving picture theatres so gloomy and uncomfortable."
+
+"It isn't necessary," replied Uncle John. "It's merely a habit the
+builders have acquired. There seemed to be a total lack of ventilation in
+that place."
+
+"No one expects much for ten cents," Arthur reminded him. "If the
+pictures are good the public will stand for anything in the matter of
+discomfort."
+
+"Did you notice," said Patsy, slowly, "how many children there were in
+that theatre?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," answered Beth. "The pictures seem to be an ideal
+amusement for children. I do not suppose they can understand all the
+dramas and love stories, but the pictures entertain them, whatever the
+theme may be."
+
+"They are not allowed to go unless accompanied by a parent or guardian,"
+Arthur stated; "but I saw a group of eleven under the care of one
+cheery-looking old lady, so I suppose the little ones evade the law in
+that way."
+
+On Tuesday forenoon they drove to the office of the Continental Film
+Manufacturing Company and inquired for Mr. Werner. Every approach to the
+interior of the big stockade was closely guarded in order to prevent the
+curious from intruding, but Werner at once hurried out to greet them and
+escorted them into the enclosure.
+
+"You are just in time," said he, "to witness one of the scenes in our
+great picture, 'Samson and Delilah.' They're getting it on now, so you
+must hurry if you want to see the work. It's really the biggest thing our
+firm has ever turned out."
+
+They passed a group of low but extensive frame buildings, threading
+their way between them until finally they emerged within a large open
+space where huge frames covered with canvas were propped up in broad
+daylight and apparently in great disorder. Huddled here and there were
+groups of people wearing Oriental costumes of the Bible days, their
+skins stained brown, the make-up on their faces showing hideously in the
+strong light. A herd of meek donkeys, bearing burdens of faggots, was
+tethered near by.
+
+"Follow me closely," cautioned their guide, "so you will not step over
+the 'dead line' and get yourselves in the picture."
+
+"What is the 'dead line'?" inquired Uncle John.
+
+"The line that marks the limit of the camera's scope. Outside of that you
+are quite safe. You will notice it is plainly marked in chalk."
+
+They passed around to the front and were amazed at the picture disclosed
+by the reverse of the gaunt, skeleton-like framework. For now was
+displayed Solomon's temple in all its magnificence, with huge pillars
+supporting a roof that seemed as solid and substantial as stone and
+mortar could make it.
+
+The perspective was wonderful, for they could follow a line of vision
+through the broad temple to a passage beyond, along which was
+approaching a procession of priests, headed by dancing girls and
+musicians beating tomtoms and playing upon reeds. The entire scene was
+barbaric in its splendor and so impressive that they watched it
+spellbound, awed and silent.
+
+Yet here beside them was the motion-picture camera, clicking steadily
+away and operated by a man in his shirt-sleeves who watched the scene
+with sharp eyes, now frowning and now nodding approval. Beside him at
+times, but rushing from one point to another just outside the chalk-marks
+that indicated the "dead line," was the director of this production, who
+shouted commands in a nervous, excited manner and raged and tore his hair
+when anything went wrong.
+
+Something went very wrong presently, for the director blew a shrill blast
+on his whistle and suddenly everything stopped short. The camera man
+threw a cloth over his lenses and calmly lighted a cigarette. The
+procession halted in uncertainty and became a disordered rabble; but the
+director sprang into the open space and shouted at his actors and
+actresses in evident ill temper.
+
+"There it is again!" he cried. "Five hundred feet of good film, ruined by
+the stupidity of one person. Get out of that priest's robe, Higgins, and
+let Jackson take your place. Where's Jackson, anyhow?"
+
+"Here," answered a young man, stepping out from a group of spectators.
+
+"Do you know the work? Can you lead that procession into the temple so
+they will leave room for Delilah to enter, and not crowd her off the
+platform?" asked the director.
+
+Jackson merely nodded as he scrambled into the priest's robe which the
+discomfited Higgins resigned to him. Evidently the bungling actor was in
+disgrace, for he was told to go to the office and get his pay and then
+"clear out."
+
+So now the procession was sent back into the passage and rearranged in
+proper order; the signal was given to begin and in an instant the camera
+renewed its clicking as the operator slowly revolved the handle that
+carried the long strip of film past the lenses. The musicians played, the
+girls danced, the procession slowly emerged from the passage.
+
+This time it advanced properly and came to a halt just at the head of the
+staircase leading up to the entrance to the temple.
+
+"Delilah!" shouted the director, and now appeared a beautiful girl who
+made a low obeisance to the chief priest.
+
+"Why--goodness me!" cried Patsy. "It's--it's Maud Stanton!"
+
+"Nonsense!" returned Arthur, sharply; and then he looked again and drew a
+long breath; for unless it were indeed the elder niece of Mrs. Montrose,
+there must be two girls in the world identically alike.
+
+Mr. Werner settled the question by quietly remarking: "Of course it's
+Maud Stanton. She's our bright, particular star, you know, and the public
+would resent it if she didn't appear as the heroine of all our best
+pictures."
+
+"An actress!" exclaimed Arthur. "I--I didn't know that."
+
+"She and her sister Flo are engaged by us regularly," replied Werner,
+with an air of pride. "They cost us a lot of money, as you may imagine,
+but we can't afford to let any competitor have them."
+
+If Arthur Weldon felt any chagrin at this, discovery it was not in the
+least shared by the others of his party. Beth was admiring the young
+girl's grace and dignity; Patsy was delighted by her loveliness in the
+fleecy, picturesque costume she wore; Louise felt pride in the fact that
+she had been introduced to "a real actress," while Uncle John wondered
+what adverse fortune had driven this beautiful, refined girl to pose
+before a motion picture camera.
+
+They soon discovered Florence Stanton in the picture, too, among the
+dancing girls; so there could be no mistake of identity. Mrs. Montrose
+was not visible during the performance; but afterward, when Samson had
+pulled down the pillars of the temple and it had fallen in ruins, when
+the "show" was over and the actors trooping away to their
+dressing-rooms, then the visitors were ushered into the main office of
+the establishment to meet Mr. Goldstein, the manager, and seated by the
+window was the aunt of the two girls, placidly reading a book. She looked
+up with a smile as they entered.
+
+"Did you see the play?" she asked. "And isn't it grand and impressive? I
+hope you liked Maud's 'Delilah.' The poor child has worked so hard to
+create the character."
+
+They assured her the girl was perfect in her part, after which Mr.
+Merrick added: "I'm astonished you did not go out to see the play
+yourself."
+
+She laughed at his earnestness.
+
+"It's an old story to me," she replied, "for I have watched Maud rehearse
+her part many times. Also it is probable that some--if not all--of the
+scenes of 'Samson and Delilah' will be taken over and over, half a dozen
+times, before the director is satisfied."
+
+"The performance seemed quite perfect to-day," said Uncle John. "I
+suppose, Mrs. Montrose, you do not--er--er--act, yourself?"
+
+"Oh. I have helped out, sometimes, when a matronly personation is
+required, but my regular duties keep me busily engaged in the office."
+
+"May we ask what those duties are?" said Louise.
+
+"I'm the reader of scenarios."
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Patsy. "I'm sure we don't know any more than we
+did before."
+
+"A 'scenario,'" said the lady, "is a description of the plot for a
+photo-play. It is in manuscript form and hundreds of scenarios are
+submitted to us from every part of the country, and by people in all
+walks of life."
+
+"I shouldn't think you could use so many," said Beth.
+
+"We can't, my dear," responded the lady, laughing at her simplicity. "The
+majority of the scenarios we receive haven't a single idea that is worth
+considering. In most of the others the ideas are stolen, or duplicated
+from some other picture-play. Once in a while, however, we find a plot of
+real merit, and then we accept it and pay the author for it."
+
+"How much?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"So little that I am ashamed to tell you. Ideas are the foundation of
+our business, and without them we could not make successful films; but
+when Mr. Goldstein buys an idea he pays as little for it as possible, and
+the poor author usually accepts the pittance with gratitude."
+
+"We were a little surprised," Uncle John ventured to say, "to find you
+connected with this--er--institution. I suppose it's all right; but those
+girls--your nieces--"
+
+"Yes, they are motion picture actresses, and I am a play reader. It is
+our profession, Mr. Merrick, and we earn our living in this way. To be
+frank with you, I am very proud of the fact that my girls are popular
+favorites with the picture theatre audiences."
+
+"That they are, Mrs. Montrose!" said Goldstein, the manager, a lean
+little man, earnestly endorsing the statement; "and that makes them the
+highest priced stars in all our fourteen companies of players. But
+they're worth every cent we pay 'em--and I hope ev'rybody's satisfied."
+
+Mrs. Montrose paid little deference to the manager. "He is only a detail
+man," she explained when Goldstein had gone way, "but of course it is
+necessary to keep these vast and diverse interests running smoothly, and
+the manager has enough details on his mind to drive an ordinary mortal
+crazy. The successful scenario writers, who conceive our best plays, are
+the real heart of this business, and the next to them in importance are
+the directors, or producers, who exercise marvelous cleverness in staging
+the work of the authors."
+
+"I suppose," remarked Arthur Weldon, "it is very like a theatre."
+
+"Not so like as you might imagine," was the reply. "We employ scenery,
+costumes and actors, but not in ways theatrical, for all our work is
+subservient to the camera's eye and the requirements of photography."
+
+While they were conversing, the two Stanton girls entered the office,
+having exchanged their costumes for street clothes and washed the make-up
+from their faces, which were now fresh and animated.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Jane!" cried Flo, running to Mrs. Montrose, "we're dismissed
+for the day. Mr. McNeil intends to develop the films before we do
+anything more, and Maud and I want to spend the afternoon at the beach."
+
+The lady smiled indulgently as Maud quietly supported her sister's
+appeal, the while greeting her acquaintances of yesterday with her sweet,
+girlish charm of manner.
+
+"A half-holiday is quite unusual with us," she explained, "for it is the
+custom to hold us in readiness from sunrise to sunset, in case our
+services are required. An actress in a motion picture concern is the
+slave of her profession, but we don't mind the work so much as we do
+waiting around for orders."
+
+"Suppose we all drive to the beach together," suggested Mr. Merrick. "We
+will try to help you enjoy your holiday and it will be a rich treat to us
+to have your society."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Patsy Doyle. "I'm just crazy over this motion
+picture business and I want to ask you girls a thousand questions
+about it."
+
+They graciously agreed to the proposition and at once made preparations
+for the drive. Mrs. Montrose had her own automobile, but the party
+divided, the four young girls being driven by Mr. Merrick's chauffeur in
+his machine, while Uncle John, Arthur and Louise rode with Mrs. Montrose.
+
+It did not take the young people long to become acquainted, and the air
+of restraint that naturally obtained in the first moments gradually wore
+away. They were all in good spirits, anticipating a jolly afternoon at
+the ocean resorts, so when they discovered themselves to be congenial
+companions they lost no time in stilted phrases but were soon chattering
+away as if they had known one another for years.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A THRILLING RESCUE
+
+
+"It must be fine to be an actress," said Patsy Doyle, with enthusiasm.
+"If I had the face or the figure or the ability--all of which I sadly
+lack--I'd be an actress myself."
+
+"I suppose," replied Maud Stanton, thoughtfully, "it is as good a
+profession for a girl as any other. But the life is not one of play, by
+any means. We work very hard during the rehearsals and often I have
+become so weary that I feared I would drop to the ground in sheer
+exhaustion. Flo did faint, once or twice, during our first engagement
+with the Pictograph Company; but we find our present employers more
+considerate, and we have gained more importance than we had in the
+beginning."
+
+"It is dreadfully confining, though," remarked Florence, with a sigh.
+"Our hours are worse than those of shopgirls, for the early morning sun
+is the best part of the day for our work. Often we are obliged to reach
+the studio at dawn. To be sure, we have the evenings to ourselves, but we
+are then too tired to enjoy them."
+
+"Did you choose, this profession for amusement, or from necessity?"
+inquired Beth, wondering if the question sounded impertinent.
+
+"Stern necessity," answered Maud with a smile. "We had our living to
+earn."
+
+"Could not your aunt assist you?" asked Patsy.
+
+"Aunt Jane? Why, she is as poor as we are."
+
+"Arthur Weldon used to know the Montroses," said Beth, "and be believed
+Mr. Montrose left his widow a fortune."
+
+"He didn't leave a penny," asserted Florence. "Uncle was a stock gambler,
+and when he died he was discovered to be bankrupt."
+
+"I must explain to you," said Maud, "that our father and mother were both
+killed years ago in a dreadful automobile accident. Father left a small
+fortune to be divided between Flo and me, and appointed Uncle George our
+guardian. We were sent to a girls' school and nicely provided for until
+uncle's death, when it was found he had squandered our little inheritance
+as well as his own money."
+
+"That was hard luck," said Patsy sympathetically.
+
+"I am not so sure of that," returned the girl musingly. "Perhaps we are
+happier now than if we had money. Our poverty gave us dear Aunt Jane for
+a companion and brought us into a field of endeavor that has proved
+delightful."
+
+"But how in the world did you ever decide to become actresses, when so
+many better occupations are open to women?" inquired Beth.
+
+"Are other occupations so much better? A motion picture actress is quite
+different from the stage variety, you know. Our performances are all
+privately conducted, and although the camera is recording our actions it
+is not like being stared at by a thousand critical eyes."
+
+"A million eyes stare at the pictures," asserted Patsy.
+
+"But we are not there to be embarrassed by them," laughed Flo.
+
+"We have but one person to please," continued Maud, "and that is the
+director. If at first the scene is not satisfactory, we play it again and
+again, until it is quite correct. To us this striving for perfection is
+an art. We actors are mere details of an artistic conception. We have now
+been in Hollywood for five months, yet few people who casually notice us
+at the hotel or on the streets have any idea that we act for the
+'movies.' Sometimes we appear publicly in the streets, in characteristic
+costume, and proceed to enact our play where all may observe us; but
+there are so many picture companies in this neighborhood that we are no
+longer looked upon as a novelty and the people passing by pay little
+attention to us."
+
+"Were you in that picture of the falling wall?" asked Beth.
+
+"No. We were rehearsing for 'Samson and Delilah.' But sometimes we
+are called upon to do curious things. One night, not long ago, a big
+residence burned down in the foothills back of our hotel. At the
+first alarm of fire one of the directors wakened us and we jumped
+into our clothes and were whisked in an automobile to the scene of
+the conflagration. The camera-man was already there and, while we
+had to dodge the fire-fighters and the hose men, both Flo and I
+managed to be 'saved from the flames' by some of our actors--not
+once, but several times."
+
+"It must have been thrilling!" gasped Patsy.
+
+"It was exciting, at the moment," confessed Maud. "One of the pictures
+proved very dramatic, so an author wrote a story where at the climax a
+girl was rescued from the flames by her lover, and we took our time to
+act the several scenes that led up to the fire. The completed picture was
+a great success, I'm told."
+
+"Those directors must be wonderfully enterprising fellows," said Beth.
+
+"They are, indeed, constantly on the lookout for effects. Every incident
+that occurs in real life is promptly taken advantage of. The camera-men
+are everywhere, waiting for their chance. Often their pictures prove of
+no value and are destroyed, but sometimes the scenes they catch are very
+useful to work into a picture play. A few weeks ago I was shipwrecked on
+the ocean and saved by clinging to a raft. That was not pleasant and I
+caught a severe cold by being in the water too long; but I was chosen
+because I can swim. Such incidents are merely a part of our game--a game
+where personal comfort is frequently sacrificed to art. Once Flo leaped
+over a thirty-foot precipice and was caught in a net at the bottom. The
+net was, of course, necessary, but when the picture was displayed her
+terrible leap was followed by a view of her mangled body at the bottom of
+the canyon."
+
+"How did they manage to do that?" asked Patsy.
+
+"Stopped the camera, cut off the piece of film showing her caught by the
+net, and substituted a strip on which was recorded Flo's body lying among
+the jagged rocks, where it had been carefully and comfortably arranged.
+We do a lot of deceptive tricks of that sort, and sometimes I myself
+marvel at the natural effects obtained."
+
+"It must be more interesting than stage acting."
+
+"I believe it is. But we've never been on the stage," said Maud.
+
+"How did you happen to get started in such a queer business?"
+inquired Patsy.
+
+"Well, after we found ourselves poor and without resources we began
+wondering what we could do to earn money. A friend of Aunt Jane's knew a
+motion picture maker who wanted fifty young girls for a certain picture
+and would pay each of them five dollars a day. Flo and I applied for the
+job and earned thirty dollars between us; but then the manager thought he
+would like to employ us regularly, and with Auntie to chaperon us we
+accepted the engagement. The first few weeks we merely appeared among the
+rabble--something like chorus girls, you see--but then we were given
+small parts and afterward more important ones. When we discovered our own
+value to the film makers Auntie managed to get us better engagements, so
+we've acted for three different concerns during the past two years, while
+Aunt Jane has become noted as a clever judge of the merits of scenarios."
+
+"Do both of you girls play star parts?" Beth inquired.
+
+"Usually. Flo is considered the best 'child actress' in the business, but
+when there is no child part she makes herself useful in all sorts of
+ways. To-day, for instance, you saw her among the dancing girls. I do
+the ingenue, or young girl parts, which are very popular just now. I did
+not want to act 'Delilah,' for I thought I was not old enough; but Mr.
+McNeil wanted me in the picture and so I made myself took as mature as
+possible."
+
+"You were ideal!" cried Patsy, admiringly.
+
+The young girl blushed at this praise, but said deprecatingly:
+
+"I doubt if I could ever be a really great actress; but then, I do not
+intend to act for many more years. Our salary is very liberal at present,
+as Goldstein grudgingly informed you, and we are saving money. As soon as
+we think we have acquired enough to live on comfortably we shall abandon
+acting and live as other girls do."
+
+"The fact is," added Flo, "no one will employ us when we have lost our
+youth. So we are taking advantage of these few fleeting years to make hay
+while the sun shines."
+
+"Do many stage actresses go into the motion picture business?"
+asked Beth.
+
+"A few, but all are not competent," replied Maud. "In the 'silent drama'
+facial expression and the art of conveying information by a gesture is of
+paramount importance. In other words, action must do the talking and
+explain everything. I am told that some comedians, like 'Bunny' and
+Sterling Mace, were failures on the stage, yet in motion pictures they
+are great favorites. On the other hand, some famous stage actors can do
+nothing in motion pictures."
+
+On their arrival at Santa Monica Mr. Merrick invited the party to be his
+guests at luncheon, which was served in a cosy restaurant overlooking
+the ocean. And then, although at this season it was bleak winter back
+East, all but Uncle John and Aunt Jane took a bath in the surf of the
+blue Pacific, mingling with hundreds of other bathers who were enjoying
+the sport.
+
+Mrs. Montrose and Uncle John sat on the sands to watch the merry scene,
+while the young people swam and splashed about, and they seemed--as Miss
+Patsy slyly observed--to "get on very well together."
+
+"And that is very creditable to your aunt," she observed to Maud Stanton,
+who was beside her in the water, "for Uncle John is rather shy in the
+society of ladies and they find him hard to entertain."
+
+"He seems like a dear old gentleman," said Maud.
+
+"He is, indeed, the dearest in all the world. And, if he likes your Aunt
+Jane, that is evidence that she is all right, too; for Uncle John's
+intuition never fails him in the selection of friends. He--"
+
+"Dear me!" cried Maud; "there's someone in trouble, I'm sure."
+
+She was looking out across the waves, which were fairly high to-day, and
+Patsy saw her lean forward and strike out to sea with strokes of
+remarkable swiftness. Bathers were scattered thickly along the coast, but
+only a few had ventured far out beyond the life-lines, so Patsy naturally
+sought an explanation by gazing at those farthest out. At first she was
+puzzled, for all the venturesome seemed to be swimming strongly and
+composedly; but presently a dark form showed on the crest of a wave--a
+struggling form that tossed up its arms despairingly and then
+disappeared.
+
+She looked for Maud Stanton and saw her swimming straight out, but still
+a long way from the person in distress. Then Patsy, always quick-witted
+in emergencies, made a dash for the shore where a small boat was drawn up
+on the beach.
+
+"Come, Arthur, quick!" she cried to the young man, who was calmly wading
+near the beach, and he caught the note of terror in her voice and
+hastened to help push the little craft into the water.
+
+"Jump in!" she panted, "and row as hard as you ever rowed in all
+your life."
+
+Young Weldon was prompt to obey. He asked no useless questions but,
+realizing that someone was in danger, he pulled a strong, steady oar and
+let Patsy steer the boat.
+
+The laughter and merry shouts of the bathers, who were all unaware that a
+tragedy was developing close at hand, rang in the girl's ears as she
+peered eagerly ahead for a sign to guide her. Now she espied Maud
+Stanton, far out beyond the others, circling around and diving into this
+wave or that as it passed her.
+
+"Whoever it was," she muttered, half aloud, "is surely done for by this
+time. Hurry, Arthur! I'm afraid Maud has exhausted all her strength."
+
+But just then Maud dived again and when she reappeared was holding fast
+to something dark and inanimate. A moment later the boat swept to her
+side and she said:
+
+"Get him aboard, if you can. Don't mind me; I'm all right."
+
+Arthur reached down and drew a slight, boyish form over the gunwale,
+while Patsy clasped Maud's hand and helped the girl over the side. She
+was still strong, but panted from her exertions to support the boy.
+
+"Who is it?" inquired Patsy, as Arthur headed the boat for the shore.
+
+Maud shook her head, leaning forward to look at the face of the rescued
+one for the first time.
+
+"I've never seen him before," she said. "Isn't it too bad that I reached
+him too late?"
+
+Patsy nodded, gazing at the white, delicate profile of the young fellow
+as he lay lifeless at her feet. Too late, undoubtedly; and he was a mere
+boy, with all the interests of life just unfolding for him.
+
+Their adventure had now been noticed by some of the bathers, who crowded
+forward to meet the boat as it grounded on the beach. Uncle John, always
+keeping an eye on his beloved nieces, had noted every detail of the
+rescue and as a dozen strong men pulled the boat across the sands, beyond
+the reach of the surf, the Merrick automobile rolled up beside it.
+
+"Now, then!" cried the little man energetically, and with the assistance
+of his chauffeur he lifted the lifeless form into the car.
+
+"The hospital?" said Patsy, nodding approval.
+
+"Yes," he answered. "No; you girls can't come in your wet bathing suits.
+I'll do all that can be done."
+
+Even as he spoke the machine whirled away, and looking after it Maud
+said, shaking her head mildly: "I fear he's right. Little can be done for
+the poor fellow now."
+
+"Oh, lots can be done," returned Patsy; "but perhaps it won't bring him
+back to life. Anyhow, it's right to make every attempt, as promptly as
+possible, and certainly Uncle John didn't waste any time."
+
+Beth and Florence now joined them and Louise came running up to ask eager
+questions.
+
+"Who was it, Patsy?"
+
+"We don't know. Some poor fellow who got too far out and had a cramp,
+perhaps. Or his strength may have given out. He didn't seem very rugged."
+
+"He was struggling when first I saw him," said Maud. "It seemed dreadful
+to watch the poor boy drowning when hundreds of people were laughing and
+playing in the water within earshot of him."
+
+"That was the trouble," declared Arthur Weldon. "All those people were
+intent on themselves and made so much noise that his cries for help could
+not be heard."
+
+The tragedy, now generally known, had the effect of sobering the bathers
+and most of them left the water and trooped to the bathhouses to dress.
+Mrs. Montrose advised the girls to get their clothes on, as all were
+shivering--partly from nervousness--in their wet bathing suits.
+
+They were ready an hour before Mr. Merrick returned, and his long absence
+surprised them until they saw his smiling face as he drove up in his car.
+It gave them a thrill of hope as in chorus they cried:
+
+"Well--Uncle John?"
+
+"I think he will live," returned the little man, with an air of great
+satisfaction. "Anyway, he's alive and breathing now, and the doctors say
+there's every reason to expect a rapid recovery."
+
+"Who is he?" they asked, crowding around him.
+
+"A. Jones."
+
+"A--what?" This from Patsy, in a doubtful tone.
+
+"Jones. A. Jones."
+
+"Why, he must have given you an assumed name!"
+
+"He didn't give us any name. As soon as he recovered consciousness he
+fell asleep, and I left him slumbering as peacefully as a baby. But we
+went through his clothes, hoping to get a trace of his friends, so they
+could be notified. His bathing suit is his own, not rented, and the name
+'A. Jones' is embroidered on tape and sewn to each piece. Also the key to
+bathhouse number twenty-six was tied to his wrist. The superintendent
+sent a man for his clothing and we examined that, too. The letters 'A.J.'
+were stamped in gold on his pocketbook, and in his cardcase were a number
+of cards engraved: 'A. Jones, Sangoa.' But there were no letters, or any
+other papers."
+
+"Where is Sangoa?" inquired Beth.
+
+"No one seems to know," confessed Uncle John. "There was plenty of money
+in his pocket-book and he has a valuable watch, but no other jewelry.
+His clothes were made by a Los Angeles tailor, but when they called him
+up by telephone he knew nothing about his customer except that he had
+ordered his suit and paid for it in advance. He called for it three days
+ago, and carried it away with him, so we have no clue to the boy's
+dwelling place."
+
+"Isn't that a little strange--perhaps a little suspicious?" asked
+Mrs. Montrose.
+
+"I think not, ma'am," answered Mr. Merrick. "We made these
+investigations at the time we still feared he would die, so as to
+communicate with any friends or relatives he might have. But after he
+passed the crisis so well and fell asleep, the hospital people stopped
+worrying about him. He seems like any ordinary, well-to-do young
+fellow, and a couple of days in the hospital ought to put him upon his
+feet again."
+
+"But Sangoa, Uncle; is that a town or a country?"
+
+"Some out-of-the-way village, I suppose. People are here from every crack
+and corner of America, you know."
+
+"It sounds a bit Spanish," commented Arthur. "Maybe he is from Mexico."
+
+"Maybe," agreed Uncle John. "Anyhow, Maud has saved his life, and if it's
+worth anything to him he ought to be grateful."
+
+"Never mind that," said Maud, flushing prettily with embarrassment as all
+eyes turned upon her, "I'm glad I noticed him in time; but now that he is
+all right he need never know who it was that rescued him. And, for that
+matter, sir, Patsy Doyle and Mr. Weldon did as much for him as I.
+Perhaps they saved us both, while your promptness in getting him to the
+hospital was the main factor in saving his life."
+
+"Well, it's all marked down in the hospital books," remarked Uncle John.
+"I had to tell the whole story, you see, as a matter of record, and all
+our names are there, so none can escape the credit due her--or him."
+
+"In truth," said Mrs. Montrose with a smile, "it really required four of
+you to save one slender boy."
+
+"Yes, he needed a lot of saving," laughed Flo. "But," her pretty face
+growing more serious, "I believe it was all Fate, and nothing else. Had
+we not come to the beach this afternoon, the boy might have drowned; so,
+as I suggested the trip, I'm going to take a little credit myself."
+
+"Looking at it in that light," said Patsy, "the moving picture man saved
+the boy's life by giving you a half-holiday."
+
+This caused a laugh, for their spirits were now restored to normal. To
+celebrate the occasion, Mr. Merrick proposed to take them all into Los
+Angeles to dine at a "swell restaurant" before returning to Hollywood.
+
+This little event, in conjunction with the afternoon's adventure, made
+them all more intimate, so that when they finally reached home and
+separated for the night they felt like old friends rather than recent
+acquaintances.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A. JONES
+
+
+There was work for the Stanton girls at the "film factory," as they
+called it, next morning, so they had left the hotel before Mr. Merrick's
+party assembled at the breakfast table.
+
+"I must telephone the Santa Monica hospital and find out how our patient
+is," remarked Uncle John, when the meal was over; but presently he
+returned from the telephone booth with a puzzled expression upon his
+face. "A. Jones has disappeared!" he announced.
+
+"Disappeared! What do you mean, Uncle?" asked Beth.
+
+"He woke early and declared he was himself again, paid his bill, said
+'good morning' to the hospital superintendent and walked away. He
+wouldn't answer questions, but kept asking them. The nurse showed him the
+book with the record of how he was saved, but she couldn't induce him to
+say who he was, where he came from nor where he was going. Seems a little
+queer, doesn't it?"
+
+They all confessed that it did.
+
+"However," said Patsy Doyle, "I'm glad he recovered, and I'm sure Maud
+will be when she hears the news. The boy has a perfect right to keep his
+own counsel, but he might have had the grace to tell us what that initial
+'A.' stands for, and where on earth Sangoa is."
+
+"I've been inquiring about Sangoa," announced Arthur, just then joining
+the group, "and no one seems wiser than we are. There's no record of such
+a town or state in Mexico, or in the United States--so far as I can
+discover. The clerk has sent for a map of Alaska, and perhaps we'll find
+Sangoa there."
+
+"What does it matter?" inquired Louise.
+
+"Why, we don't like to be stumped," asserted Patsy, "that's all. Here is
+a young man from Sangoa, and--"
+
+"Really," interrupted Beth, who was gazing through the window, "I believe
+here _is_ the young man from Sangoa!"
+
+"Where?" they all cried, crowding forward to look.
+
+"Coming up the walk. See! Isn't that the same mysterious individual whose
+life Maud saved?"
+
+"That's the identical mystery," declared Uncle John. "I suppose he has
+come here to look us up and thank us."
+
+"Then, for heaven's sake, girls, pump him and find out where Sangoa is,"
+said Arthur hastily, and the next moment a bell boy approached their
+party with a card.
+
+They looked at the young fellow curiously as he came toward them. He
+seemed not more than eighteen years of age and his thin features wore a
+tired expression that was not the result of his recent experience but
+proved to be habitual. His manner was not languid, however, but rather
+composed; at the same time he held himself alert, as if constantly on his
+guard. His dress was simple but in good taste and he displayed no
+embarrassment as he greeted the party with a low bow.
+
+"Ah," said Uncle John, heartily shaking his hand, "I am delighted to
+find you so perfectly recovered."
+
+A slight smile, sad and deprecating, flickered for an instant over his
+lips. It gave the boyish face a patient and rather sweet expression as he
+slowly replied:
+
+"I am quite myself to-day, sir, and I have come to assure you of my
+gratitude for your rescue of me yesterday. Perhaps it wasn't worth all
+your bother, but since you generously took the trouble to save me, the
+least I can do is to tender you my thanks." Here he looked from one to
+another of the three girls and continued: "Please tell me which young
+lady swam to my assistance."
+
+"Oh, it was none of us," said Patsy. "Miss Stanton--Maud Stanton--swam
+out to you, when she noticed you were struggling, and kept you afloat
+until we--until help came."
+
+"And Miss Stanton is not here?"
+
+"Not at present, although she is staying at this hotel."
+
+He gravely considered this information for a moment. As he stood there,
+swaying slightly, he appeared so frail and delicate that Uncle John
+seized his arm and made him sit down in a big easy chair. The boy sighed,
+took a memorandum from his pocket and glanced at it.
+
+"Miss Doyle and Mr. Weldon pulled out in a boat and rescued both Miss
+Stanton and me, just as we were about to sink," he said. "Tell me,
+please, if either Miss Doyle or Mr. Weldon is present."
+
+"I am Arthur Weldon," said that young gentleman; "but I was merely the
+boatman, under command of Miss Doyle, whom I beg to present to you."
+
+A. Jones looked earnestly into Patsy's face. Holding out his hand he
+said with his odd smile: "Thank you." Then he turned to shake Arthur's
+hand, after which he continued: "I also am indebted to Mr. Merrick for
+carrying me to the hospital. The doctor told me that only this prompt
+action enabled them to resuscitate me at all. And now, I believe it
+would be courteous for me to tell you who I am and how I came to be in
+such dire peril."
+
+He paused to look around him questioningly and the interest on every
+face was clearly evident. Arthur took this opportunity to introduce Jones
+to Louise and Beth and then they all sat down again. Said Uncle John to
+the stranger, in his frank and friendly way:
+
+"Tell us as much or as little as you like, my boy. We are not unduly
+inquisitive, I assure you."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I am an American, and my name is Jones. That is, I may
+claim American parentage, although I was born upon a scarcely known
+island in the Pacific which my father purchased from the government of
+Uruguay some thirty years ago."
+
+"Sangoa?" asked Arthur.
+
+He seemed surprised at the question but readily answered:
+
+"Yes; Sangoa. My father was a grandnephew of John Paul Jones and very
+proud of the connection; but instead of being a sailor he was a
+scientist, and he chose to pass his life in retirement from the world."
+
+"Your father is no longer living, then?" said Mr. Merrick.
+
+"He passed away a year ago, on his beloved island. My mother died
+several years before him. I began to feel lonely at Sangoa and I was
+anxious to visit America, of which my mother had so often told me. So
+some months ago I reached San Francisco, since when I have been traveling
+over your country--my country, may I call it?--and studying your modern
+civilization. In New York I remained fully three months. It is only about
+ten days since I returned to this coast."
+
+He stopped abruptly, as if he considered he had told enough. The brief
+recital had interested his auditors, but the ensuing pause was rather
+embarrassing.
+
+"I suppose you have been visiting relatives of your parents," remarked
+Uncle John, to ease the situation.
+
+"They--had no relatives that I know of," he returned. "I am quite alone
+in the world. You must not suppose I am unaccustomed to the water," he
+hastened to add, as if to retreat from an unpleasant subject. "At Sangoa
+I have bathed in the sea ever since I can remember anything; but--I am
+not in good health. I suffer from indigestion, a chronic condition,
+which is my incubus. Yesterday my strength suddenly deserted me and I
+became helpless."
+
+"How fortunate it was that Maud noticed you!" exclaimed Patsy, with
+generous sympathy.
+
+Again the half sad smile softened his face as he looked at her.
+
+"I am not sure it was wholly fortunate for me," he said, "although I
+admit I have no wish to end my uninteresting life by drowning. I am not a
+misanthrope, in spite of my bad stomach. The world is more useful to me
+than I am to the world, but that is not my fault. Pardon me for talking
+so much about myself."
+
+"Oh, we are intensely interested, I assure you," replied Patsy. "If some
+of us were indeed the instruments that saved you yesterday, it is a
+pleasure to us to know something of the--the man--we saved."
+
+She had almost said "boy," he was such a youthful person, and he knew it
+as well as she did.
+
+"I would like to meet Miss Stanton and thank her personally," he
+presently resumed. "So, if you have no objection, I think I shall
+register at this hotel and take a room. I--I am not very strong yet, but
+perhaps Miss Stanton will see me when I have rested a little."
+
+"She won't return before five o'clock," explained Mr. Merrick. "Miss
+Stanton is--er--connected with a motion picture company, you know, and is
+busy during the day."
+
+He seemed both surprised and perplexed, at first, but after a moment's
+thought he said:
+
+"She is an actress, then?"
+
+"Yes; she and her sister. They have with them an aunt, Mrs. Montrose, for
+companion."
+
+"Thank you. Then I will try to meet them this evening."
+
+As he spoke he rose with some difficulty and bade them adieu. Arthur went
+with him to the desk and proffered his assistance, but the young man said
+he needed nothing but rest.
+
+"And just think of it," said Patsy, when he had gone. "We don't know yet
+what that 'A' stands for!"
+
+"Arthur," suggested Louise.
+
+"Albert," said Beth.
+
+"Or Algernon," added Uncle John with a chuckle.
+
+"But we haven't seen the last of him yet," declared Miss Doyle. "I've a
+romance all plotted, of which A. Jones is to be the hero. He will fall in
+love with Maud and carry her away to his island!"
+
+"I'm not so sure of that result," observed Uncle John thoughtfully. "It
+wouldn't astonish me to have him fall in love with Maud Stanton; we've
+all done that, you know; but could Maud--could any girl--be attracted by
+a lean, dismal boy with a weak stomach, such as A. Jones?"
+
+"Even with these drawbacks he is quite interesting," asserted Beth.
+
+"He is sure to win her sympathy," said Louise.
+
+"But, above all," declared Patsy, "he has an island, inherited from his
+royal daddy. That island would count for a lot, with any girl!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE INVALID
+
+
+The girls intercepted Maud Stanton when she returned to the hotel that
+evening, and told her all about A. Jones. The tale was finished long
+before that dyspeptic youth had wakened from his slumbers. Then they all
+dressed for dinner and afterward met in the lobby, where Uncle John told
+them he had arranged to have a big round table prepared for the entire
+party, including a seat for A. Jones, who might like to join them.
+
+However, the young man did not make his appearance, and as they trooped
+into the dining room Patsy said resentfully:
+
+"I believe A. Jones is in a trance and needs rolling on a barrel again."
+
+"He probably found himself too weak to appear in public," replied Flo
+Stanton. "I'm sure if I had been all but drowned a few hours ago, I would
+prefer bed to society."
+
+"I'm astonished that he summoned energy to visit us at all," declared
+Mrs. Montrose. "He may be weak and ill, but at least he is grateful."
+
+"Jones seems a vary gentlemanly young fellow," said Mr. Merrick. "He is a
+bit shy and retiring, which is perhaps due to his lonely life on his
+island; but I think he has been well brought up."
+
+As they came out from dinner they observed the porters wheeling several
+big trunks up the east corridor. The end of each trunk was lettered:
+"A. Jones."
+
+"Well," said Beth, with an amused smile, "he intends to stay a while,
+anyhow. You'll have a chance to meet him yet, Maud."
+
+"I'm glad of that," answered Maud, "for I am anxious to calculate the
+worth of the life I helped to save. Your reports are ambiguous, and I am
+undecided whether you are taking the boy seriously or as a joke. From
+your description of his personal appearance, I incline to the belief that
+under ordinary circumstances I would not look twice at Mr. Jones, but
+having been partly instrumental in preserving him to the world, I
+naturally feel a proprietary interest in him."
+
+"Of course," said Flo. "He's worth one look, out of pure curiosity; but
+it would be dreadful to have him tagging you around, expressing his
+everlasting gratitude."
+
+"I don't imagine he'll do that," observed Patsy Doyle. "A. Jones strikes
+me as having a fair intellect in a shipwrecked body, and I'll wager a
+hatpin against a glove-buttoner that he won't bore you. At the same time
+he may not interest you--or any of us--for long, unless he develops
+talents we have not discovered. I wonder why he doesn't use his whole
+name. That mystic 'A' puzzles me."
+
+"It's an English notion, I suppose," said Mrs. Montrose.
+
+"But he isn't English; he's American."
+
+"Sangoese," corrected Beth.
+
+"Perhaps he doesn't like his name, or is ashamed of it," suggested
+Uncle John.
+
+"It may be 'Absalom,'" said Flo. "We once knew an actor named Absalom,
+and he always called himself 'A. Judson Keith.' He was a dignified chap,
+and when we girls one day called him 'Ab,' he nearly had hysterics."
+
+"Mr. Werner had hysterics to-day," asserted Maud, gravely; "but I didn't
+blame him. He sent out a party to ride down a steep hill on horseback, as
+part of a film story, and a bad accident resulted. One of the horses
+stepped in a gopher hole and fell, and a dozen others piled up on him,
+including their riders."
+
+"How dreadful!" was the general exclamation.
+
+"Several of the horses broke their legs and had to be shot," continued
+Maud; "but none of the riders was seriously injured except little
+Sadie Martin, who was riding a bronco. The poor thing was caught under
+one of the animals and the doctor says she won't be able to work again
+for months."
+
+"Goodness me! And all for the sake of a picture?" cried Patsy
+indignantly. "I hope you don't take such risks, Maud."
+
+"No; Flo and I have graduated from what is called 'the bronco bunch,' and
+now do platform work entirely. To be sure we assume some minor risks in
+that, but nothing to compare with the other lines of business."
+
+"I hope the little girl you mentioned will get well, and has enough money
+to tide her over this trouble," said Uncle John anxiously.
+
+"The manager will look after her," returned Mrs. Montrose. "Our people
+are very good about that and probably Sadie Martin's salary will continue
+regularly until she is able to work again."
+
+"Well," said Beth, drawing a long breath, "I suppose we shall read all
+about it in the morning papers."
+
+"Oh, no!" exclaimed Maud and added: "These accidents never get into the
+papers. They happen quite often, around Los Angeles, where ten thousand
+or more people make their living from motion pictures; but the public is
+protected from all knowledge of such disasters, which would detract from
+their pleasure in pictures and perhaps render all films unpopular."
+
+"I thought the dear public loved the dare-devil acts," remarked
+Arthur Weldon.
+
+"Oh, it does," agreed Mrs. Montrose; "yet those who attend the picture
+theatres seem not to consider the action taking place before their eyes
+to be real. Here are pictures only--a sort of amplified story book--and
+the spectators like them exciting; but if they stopped to reflect that
+men and women in the flesh were required to do these dangerous feats for
+their entertainment, many would be too horrified to enjoy the scenes. Of
+course the makers of the pictures guard their actors in all possible
+ways; yet, even so, casualties are bound to occur."
+
+They had retired to a cosy corner of the public drawing room and were
+conversing on this interesting topic when they espied A. Jones walking
+toward them. The youth was attired in immaculate evening dress, but his
+step was slow and dragging and his face pallid.
+
+Arthur and Uncle John drew up an easy chair for him while Patsy performed
+the introductions to Mrs. Montrose and her nieces. Very earnestly the boy
+grasped the hand of the young girl who had been chiefly responsible for
+his rescue, thanking her more by his manner than in his few carefully
+chosen words.
+
+As for Maud, she smilingly belittled her effort, saying lightly: "I
+know I must not claim that it didn't amount to anything, for your life is
+valuable, Mr. Jones, I'm sure. But I had almost nothing to do beyond
+calling Patsy Doyle's attention to you and then swimming out to keep you
+afloat until help came. I'm a good swimmer, so it was not at all
+difficult."
+
+"Moreover," he added, "you would have done the same thing for anyone in
+distress."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"I realize that. I am quite a stranger to you. Nevertheless, my gratitude
+is your due and I hope you will accept it as the least tribute I can pay
+you. Of all that throng of bathers, only you noticed my peril and came to
+my assistance."
+
+"Fate!" whispered Flo impressively.
+
+"Nonsense," retorted her sister. "I happened to be the only one looking
+out to sea. I think, Mr. Jones, you owe us apologies more than gratitude,
+for your folly was responsible for the incident. You were altogether too
+venturesome. Such action on this coast, where the surf rolls high and
+creates an undertow, is nothing less than foolhardy."
+
+"I'm sure you are right," he admitted. "I did not know this coast, and
+foolishly imagined the old Pacific, in which I have sported and played
+since babyhood, was my friend wherever I found it."
+
+"I hope you are feeling better and stronger this evening," said Mr.
+Merrick. "We expected you to join us at dinner."
+
+"I--I seldom dine in public," he explained, flushing slightly. "My
+bill-of-fare is very limited, you know, owing to my--my condition; and so
+I carry my food-tablets around with me, wherever I go, and eat them in my
+own room."
+
+"Food-tablets!" cried Patsy, horrified.
+
+"Yes. They are really wafers--very harmless--and I am permitted to eat
+nothing else."
+
+"No wonder your stomach is bad and you're a living skeleton!" asserted
+the girl, with scorn.
+
+"My dear," said Uncle John, gently chiding her, "we must give Mr. Jones
+the credit for knowing what is best for him."
+
+"Not me, sir!" protested the boy, in haste. "I'm very ignorant
+about--about health, and medicine and the like. But in New York I
+consulted a famous doctor, and he told me what to do."
+
+"That's right," nodded the old gentleman, who had never been ill in his
+life. "Always take the advice of a doctor, listen to the advice of a
+lawyer, and refuse the advise of a banker. That's worldly wisdom."
+
+"Were you ill when you left your home?" inquired Mrs. Montrose, looking
+at the young man with motherly sympathy.
+
+"Not when I left the island," he said. "I was pretty well up to that
+time. But during the long ocean voyage I was terribly sick, and by the
+time we got to San Francisco my stomach was a wreck. Then I tried to eat
+the rich food at your restaurants and hotels--we live very plainly in
+Sangoa, you know--and by the time I got to New York I was a confirmed
+dyspeptic and suffering tortures. Everything I ate disagreed with me. So
+I went to a great specialist, who has invented these food tablets for
+cases just like mine, and he ordered me to eat nothing else."
+
+"And are you better?" asked Maud.
+
+He hesitated.
+
+"Sometimes I imagine I am. I do not suffer so much pain, but I--I seem
+to grow weaker all the time."
+
+"No wonder!" cried Patsy. "If you starve yourself you can't grow strong."
+
+He looked at her with an expression of surprise. Then he asked abruptly:
+
+"What would you advise me to do, Miss Doyle?"
+
+A chorus of laughter greeted this question. Patsy flushed a trifle but
+covered her confusion by demanding: "Would you follow my advice?"
+
+He made a little grimace. There was humor in the boy, despite his
+dyspepsia.
+
+"I understand there is a law forbidding suicide," he replied. "But I
+asked your advice in an attempt to discover what you thought of my absurd
+condition. Now that you call my attention to it, I believe I _am_
+starving myself. I need stronger and more nourishing food; and yet the
+best specialist in your progressive country has regulated my diet."
+
+"I don't believe much in specialists," asserted Patsy. "If _you_ do, go
+ahead and kill yourself, in defiance of the law. According to common
+sense you ought to eat plenty of good, wholesome food, but you may be so
+disordered--in your interior--that even that would prove fatal. So I
+won't recommend it."
+
+"I'm doomed, either way," he said quietly. "I know that."
+
+"_How_ do you know it?" demanded Maud in a tone of resentment.
+
+He was silent a moment. Then he replied:
+
+"I cannot remember how we drifted into this very personal argument. It
+seems wrong for me to be talking about myself to those who are
+practically strangers, and you will realize how unused I am to the
+society of ladies by considering my rudeness in this interview."
+
+"Pshaw!" exclaimed Uncle John; "we are merely considering you as a
+friend. You must believe that we are really interested in you," he
+continued, laying a kindly hand on the young fellow's shoulder. "You seem
+in a bad way, it's true, but your condition is far from desperate.
+Patsy's frankness--it's her one fault and her chief virtue--led you to
+talk about yourself, and I'm surprised to find you so despondent
+and--and--what do you call it, Beth?"
+
+"Pessimistic?"
+
+"That's it--pessimistic."
+
+"But you're wrong, sir!" said the boy with a smile; "I may not be elated
+over my fatal disease, but neither am I despondent. I force myself to
+keep going when I wonder how the miserable machine responds to my urging,
+and I shall keep it going, after a fashion, until the final breakdown.
+Fate weaves the thread of our lives, I truly believe, and she didn't use
+very good material when she started mine. But that doesn't matter," he
+added quickly. "I'm trying to do a little good as I go along and not
+waste my opportunities. I'm obeying my doctor's orders and facing the
+future with all the philosophy I can summon. So now, if you--who have
+given me a new lease of life--think I can use it to any better advantage,
+I am willing to follow your counsel."
+
+His tone was more pathetic than his words. Maud, as she looked at the boy
+and tried to realize that his days were numbered, felt her eyes fill
+with tears. Patsy sniffed scornfully, but said nothing. It was Beth who
+remarked with an air of unconcern that surprised those who knew her
+unsympathetic nature:
+
+"It would be presumptuous for us to interfere, either with Fate or with
+Nature. You're probably dead wrong about your condition, for a sick
+person has no judgment whatever, but I've noticed the mind has a good
+deal to do with one's health. If you firmly believe you're going to die,
+why, what can you expect?"
+
+No one cared to contradict this and a pause followed that was growing
+awkward when they were all aroused by the sound of hasty footsteps
+approaching their corner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE MAGIC OF A NAME
+
+
+The newcomer proved to be Goldstein, the manager of the Continental.
+His face was frowning and severe as he rudely marched up to the group
+and, without the formality of a greeting, pointedly addressed the
+Stanton girls.
+
+"What does it mean?" he demanded in evident excitement, for his voice
+shook and the accusing finger he held out trembled. "How does it happen
+that my people, under contract to work for the Continental, are working
+for other firms?"
+
+Maud paled and her eyes glistened with resentment as she rose and faced
+her manager. Florence pulled her sister's sleeve and said with a forced
+laugh: "Sit down, Maud; the man has probably been drinking."
+
+He turned on the young girl fiercely, but now it was Arthur Weldon who
+seized the manager's arm and whirled him around.
+
+"Sir, you are intruding," he said sternly. "If you have business with
+these ladies, choose the proper time and place to address them."
+
+"I have!" cried Goldstein, blusteringly. "They have treated me
+shamefully--unprofessionally! They have played me a trick, and I've the
+right to demand why they are working for a rival firm while in my pay."
+
+Mrs. Montrose now arose and said with quiet dignity:
+
+"Mr. Goldstein, you are intruding, as Mr. Weldon says. But you have said
+so much to defame my nieces in the eyes of our friends, here assembled,
+that you must explain yourself more fully."
+
+The manager seemed astonished by his reception. He looked from one to
+another and said more mildly:
+
+"It is easy enough for _me_ to explain, but how can the Stantons explain
+their conduct? They are under contract to act exclusively for the
+Continental Film Company and I pay them a liberal salary. Yet only
+yesterday, when I was kind enough to give them a holiday, they went down
+to the beach and posed for a picture for our rivals, the Corona
+Company!"
+
+"You are mistaken, sir!" retorted Arthur. "The young ladies were in our
+company the entire afternoon and they did not pose for any picture
+whatever."
+
+"Don't tell me!" cried Goldstein. "I've just seen the picture down town.
+I was going by one of the theatres when I noticed a placard that read:
+'Sensational Film by Maud Stanton, the Queen of Motion Picture Actresses,
+entitled "A Gallant Rescue!" First run to-night.' I went in and saw the
+picture--with my own eyes!--and I saw Maud Stanton in a sea scene,
+rescuing a man who was drowning. Don't deny it, Miss," he added, turning
+upon Maud fiercely. "I saw it with my own eyes--not an hour ago!"
+
+After a moment's amazed silence his hearers broke into a chorus of
+laughter, led by Flo, who was almost hysterical. Even A. Jones smiled
+indulgently upon the irate manager, who was now fairly bristling with
+indignation.
+
+"The Corona people," remarked Arthur Weldon, "are quite enterprising. I
+did not know they had a camera-man at the beach yesterday, but he must
+have secured a very interesting picture. It was not posed, Mr. Goldstein,
+but taken from life."
+
+"It was Maud Stanton!" asserted, the manager.
+
+"Yes; she and some others. A man was really drowning and the brave girl
+swam to his rescue, without a thought of posing."
+
+"I don't believe it!" cried the man rudely.
+
+Here A. Jones struggled to his feet.
+
+"It is true," he said. "I was the drowning man whom Miss Stanton saved."
+
+Goldstein eyed him shrewdly.
+
+"Perhaps you were," he admitted, "for the man in the picture was about
+your style of make-up. But how can you prove it was not a put-up job with
+the Corona people? How do I know you are not all in the employ of the
+Corona people?"
+
+"I give you my word."
+
+"Pah! I don't know you."
+
+"I see you don't," returned the youth stiffly.
+
+"Here is my card. Perhaps you will recognize the name."
+
+He fumbled in his pocket, took out a card and handed it to the manager.
+Goldstein looked at it, started, turned red and then white and began
+bobbing his head with absurd deference to the youth.
+
+"Pardon, Mr. Jones--pardon!" he gasped. "I--I heard you were in our
+neighborhood, but I--I did not recognize you. I--I hope you will pardon
+me, Mr. Jones! I was angry at what I supposed was the treachery of an
+employee. You will--will--understand that, I am sure. It is my duty to
+protect the interests of the Continental, you know, sir. But it's all
+right now, of course! Isn't it all right now, Mr. Jones?"
+
+"You'd better go, Goldstein," said the boy in a weary tone, and sat
+down again.
+
+The manager hesitated. Then he bowed to Maud Stanton and to the others,
+murmuring:
+
+"All a mistake, you see; all a mistake. I--I beg everybody's pardon."
+
+With this he backed away, still bowing, and finally turned and beat a
+hasty retreat. But no one was noticing him especially. All eyes were
+regarding the boy with a new curiosity.
+
+"That Goldstein is an ill-bred boor!" remarked Uncle John in an
+annoyed tone.
+
+"I suppose," said Maud, slowly, "he thought he was right in demanding an
+explanation. There is great rivalry between the various film
+manufacturers and it was rather mean of the Corona to put my name on
+that placard."
+
+"It's wonderful!" exclaimed Patsy. "How did they get the picture, do
+you suppose?"
+
+"They have camera-men everywhere, looking for some picture worth while."
+explained Mrs. Montrose. "If there's a fire, the chances are a camera-man
+is on the spot before the firemen arrive. If there's an accident, it is
+often caught by the camera before the victim realizes what has happened.
+Perhaps a camera-man has been at the beach for weeks, waiting patiently
+for some tragedy to occur. Anyway, he was on hand yesterday and quietly
+ran his film during the excitement of the rescue. He was in rare luck to
+get Maud, because she is a favorite with the public; but it was not fair
+to connect her name with the picture, when they know she is employed by
+the Continental."
+
+Young Jones rose from his chair with a gesture of weariness.
+
+"If you will excuse me," he said, "I will go to my room. Our little
+conversation has given me much pleasure; I'm so alone in the world.
+Perhaps you will allow me to join you again--some other time?"
+
+They hastened to assure him his presence would always be welcome. Patsy
+even added, with her cheery smile, that they felt a certain
+proprietorship in him since they had dragged him from a watery grave. The
+boy showed, as he walked away, that he was not yet very steady on his
+feet, but whether the weakness was the result of his malady or his recent
+trying experience they could not determine.
+
+"What staggers me," said Maud, looking after him, "is the effect his name
+had on Goldstein, who has little respect or consideration for anyone. Who
+do you suppose A. Jones is?"
+
+"Why, he has told us," replied Louise. "He is an islander, on his first
+visit to this country."
+
+"He must be rather more than that," declared Arthur. "Do you remember
+what the manager said to him?"
+
+"Yes," said Beth. "He had heard that A. Jones was in this neighborhood,
+but had never met him. A. Jones was a person of sufficient importance
+to make the general manager of the Continental Film Company tremble in
+his boots."
+
+"He really did tremble," asserted Patsy, "and he was abject in his
+apologies."
+
+"Showing," added Flo Stanton, "that Goldstein is afraid of him."
+
+"I wonder why," said Maud.
+
+"It is all very easy of solution," remarked Arthur. "Goldstein believes
+that Jones is in the market to buy films. Perhaps he's going to open a
+motion picture theatre on his island. So the manager didn't want to
+antagonize a good customer."
+
+"That's it," said Uncle John, nodding approval. "There's no great mystery
+about young Jones, I'm sure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+DOCTOR PATSY
+
+
+Next morning Uncle John and the Weldons--including the precious
+baby--went for a ride into the mountains, while Beth and Patsy took their
+embroidery into a sunny corner of the hotel lobby.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock when A. Jones discovered the two girls and came
+tottering toward them. Tottering is the right word; he fairly swayed as
+he made his way to the secluded corner.
+
+"I wish he'd use a cane," muttered Beth in an undertone. "I have the
+feeling that he's liable to bump his nose any minute."
+
+Patsy drew up a chair for him, although he endeavored to prevent her.
+
+"Are you feeling better this morning?" she inquired.
+
+"I--I think so," he answered doubtfully. "I don't seem to get back my
+strength, you see."
+
+"Were you stronger before your accident?" asked Beth.
+
+"Yes, indeed. I went swimming, you remember. But perhaps I was not
+strong enough to do that. I--I'm very careful of myself, yet I seem to
+grow weaker all the time."
+
+There was a brief silence, during which the girls plied their needles.
+
+"Are you going to stay in this hotel?" demanded Patsy, in her blunt way.
+
+"For a time, I think. It is very pleasant here," he said.
+
+"Have you had breakfast?"
+
+"I took a food-tablet at daybreak."
+
+"Huh!" A scornful exclamation. Then she glanced at the open door of
+the dining-hall and laying aside her work she rose with a determined
+air and said:
+
+"Come with me!"
+
+"Where?"
+
+For answer she assisted him to rise. Then she took his hand and marched
+him across the lobby to the dining room.
+
+He seemed astonished at this proceeding but made no resistance. Seated
+at a small table she called a waitress and said:
+
+"Bring a cup of chocolate, a soft-boiled egg and some toast."
+
+"Pardon me, Miss Doyle," he said; "I thought you had breakfasted."
+
+"So I have," she replied. "The breakfast I've ordered is for you, and
+you're going to eat it if I have to ram it down your throat."
+
+"But--Miss Doyle!"
+
+"You've told us you are doomed. Well, you're going to die with a
+full stomach."
+
+"But the doctor--"
+
+"Bother the doctor! I'm your doctor, now, and I won't send in a bill,
+thank your stars."
+
+He looked at her with his sad little smile.
+
+"Isn't this a rather high-handed proceeding, Miss Doyle?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"I haven't employed you as my physician, you know."
+
+"True. But you've deliberately put yourself in my power."
+
+"How?"
+
+"In the first place, you tagged us here to this hotel."
+
+"You don't mind, do you?"
+
+"Not in the least. It's a public hostelry. In the second place, you
+confided to us your disease and your treatment of it--which was really
+none of our business."
+
+"I--I was wrong to do that. But you led me on and--I'm so lonely--and you
+all seemed so generous and sympathetic--that I--I--"
+
+"That you unwittingly posted us concerning your real trouble. Do you
+realize what it is? You're a hypo--hypo--what do they call
+it?--hypochondriac!"
+
+"I am not!"
+
+"And your doctor--your famous specialist--is a fool."
+
+"Oh, Miss Doyle!"
+
+"Also you are a--a chump, to follow his fool advice. You don't need
+sympathy, Mr. A. Jones. What you need is a slapstick."
+
+"A--a--"
+
+"A slapstick. And that's what you're going to get if you don't
+obey orders."
+
+Here the maid set down the breakfast, ranging the dishes invitingly
+before the invalid. His face had expressed all the emotions from
+amazement to terror during Patsy's tirade and now he gazed from her firm,
+determined features to the eggs and toast, in an uncertain, helpless way
+that caused the girl a severe effort to curb a burst of laughter.
+
+"Now, then," she said, "get busy. I'll fix your egg. Do you want more
+sugar in your chocolate? Taste it and see. And if you don't butter that
+toast before it gets cold it won't be fit to eat."
+
+He looked at her steadily now, again smiling.
+
+"You're not joking, Miss Doyle?"
+
+"I'm in dead earnest."
+
+"Of course you realize this is the--the end?"
+
+"Of your foolishness? I hope so. You used to eat like a sensible boy,
+didn't you?"
+
+"When I was well."
+
+"You're well now. Your only need is sustaining, strengthening food. I
+came near ordering you a beefsteak, but I'll reserve that for lunch."
+
+He sipped the chocolate.
+
+"Yes; it needs more sugar," he said quietly. "Will you please butter my
+toast? It seems to me such a breakfast is worth months of suffering. How
+delicious this egg is! It was the fragrance of the egg and toast that
+conquered me. That, and--"
+
+"And one sensible, determined girl. Don't look at me as if I were a
+murderess! I'm your best friend--a friend in need. And don't choke down
+your food. Eat slowly. Fletcherize--chew your food, you know. I know
+you're nearly famished, but you must gradually accustom yourself to a
+proper diet."
+
+He obeyed meekly. Patsy's face was calm, but her heart beat fast, with a
+thrill of fear she could not repress. Acting on impulse, as she had, the
+girl now began to consider that she was personally responsible for
+whatever result might follow this radical treatment for dyspepsia. Had
+she been positive it _was_ dyspepsia, she would never have dared
+interfere with a doctor's orders; but she felt that the boy needed food
+and would die unless he had it. He might die from the effect of this
+unusual repast, in which case she would never forgive herself.
+
+Meantime, the boy had cast aside all fear. He had protested, indeed, but
+his protests being overruled he accepted his food and its possible
+consequences with philosophic resignation and a growing satisfaction.
+
+Patsy balked on the third slice of toast and took it away from him. She
+also denied him a second cup of chocolate. He leaned back in his chair
+with a sigh of content and said:
+
+"Bless the hen that laid that egg! No dainty was ever more delicious. And
+now," he added, rising, "let us go and inquire the address of a good
+undertaker. I have made my will, and I'd like to be cremated--it's so
+much nicer than the old-fashioned burial, don't you think?"
+
+"I'll attend to all that, if you wish," she replied, trying to repress a
+shudder as she followed him from the room. "Do you smoke?"
+
+"I used to, but the doctor forbade it; so I gave it up entirely."
+
+"Go over to that stand and buy a cigar. Then you may sit beside Beth and
+me and smoke it."
+
+The girl did not wholly approve of smoking and had often chided Uncle
+John and her father and Arthur Weldon for indulging in the habit; but
+this advice to young Jones was given in desperation, because all the men
+of her family stoutly affirmed that a cigar after a meal assisted
+digestion. She resumed her former seat beside Beth, and her cousin
+quickly read the anxiety on her face.
+
+"What did you do, Patricia?"
+
+"I fed him."
+
+"Did he really eat?"
+
+"Like a starved cat."
+
+"Hm-m-m," said Beth. "What next, I wonder?"
+
+Patsy wondered, too, the cold shivers chasing one another up and down her
+back. The boy was coming toward them, coolly puffing a cigar. He did not
+seem to totter quite so much as before, but he was glad to sink into an
+easy chair.
+
+"How do you feel?" asked Beth, regarding him curiously.
+
+"Like one of those criminals who are pampered with all the good things
+of life before being led to the scaffold."
+
+"Any pains?"
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"Not yet. I've asked the clerk, whenever I signal him, to send someone to
+carry me to my room. If I'm not able to say good-bye to you, please
+accept now my thanks for all your kindness to a stranger. You see, I'm
+not sure whether I'll have a sudden seizure or the pains will come on
+gradually."
+
+"What pains?" demanded Patsy.
+
+"I can't explain them. Don't you believe something is bound to happen?"
+he inquired, nervously removing the ash from his cigar.
+
+"To be sure. You're going to get well."
+
+He made no reply, but sat watching Beth's nimble fingers. Patsy was too
+excited to resume her embroidery.
+
+"I wonder if you are old enough to smoke?" remarked Beth.
+
+"I'm over twenty-one."
+
+"Indeed! We decided you were about eighteen."
+
+"I suppose I look younger than my age. At home, in Sangoa, I am still 
+regarded as a mere child. That is because I had no brothers and sisters,
+and my father never could realize that I was growing up. The people 
+still call me--"
+
+He paused, in an embarrassed way, till Patsy asked:
+
+"Call you what?"
+
+"By my old childish name."
+
+Both the girls were distinctly disappointed. But bluff Patsy Doyle would 
+not be denied the satisfaction of her curiosity. Within the last hour 
+she had felt as if she had adopted this friendless boy, and some 
+information concerning him was her due.
+
+"Your name is A. Jones?" she aid.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What does the 'A' stand for?"
+
+There! The question was out, at last. He hesitated, flushing read. Then 
+he replied slowly:
+
+"It stands for one of my father's peculiarities. I think I have told you 
+how proud he was that we are direct descendants of John Paul Jones. 
+'John Paul,'" he would often say, 'has ennobled the name of Jones, so 
+that to be a Jones is to bear the proudest name known to mankind.' When 
+I was born they were undecided what to name me. 'There is no hurry about 
+it,' said my father; 'whatever we call him, he is a Jones.' My mother 
+must have been something of a humorist. She kept referring to her baby 
+as 'a Jones' until father caught the absurd idea of letting it go at 
+that, and had me christened merely 'A. Jones.'"
+
+"How delightful?" cried Patsy, clapping her hands gleefully. "Then 'A' 
+doesn't stand for anything at all?"
+
+"Oh, yes; it stands for _a_ Jones," said the boy, making a wry face. "I 
+think it is dreadful."
+
+"But what did they call you, afterward? What was the childish name you 
+referred to?"
+
+"Another of my mother's humorous fancies. She called me 'Ajo,' and 
+others quickly caught up the horrid nickname. It is merely a contraction 
+of A. Jones, and in Sangoa I am called nothing else."
+
+"Ajo," repeated Beth, her sweet voice giving the title a pleasant sound. 
+"In Spanish it would be pronounced 'Ah-ho.'"
+
+"But we are not Spanish in Sangoa."
+
+"What are your people?"
+
+"Formerly all Americans. The younger generation are, like myself I
+suppose, Sangoans by birth. But there isn't a black or yellow or brown
+man on our island."
+
+"How many inhabitants has Sangoa?"
+
+"About six hundred, all told."
+
+There was silence for a while.
+
+"Any pains yet?" inquired Beth.
+
+"Not yet. But I'm feeling drowsy. With your permission I'll lie down and
+take a nap. I slept very little last night."
+
+He threw away his cigar, which he had smoked nearly to the end, and
+rising without assistance, bowed and walked away.
+
+"Will he ever waken, I wonder?" said Beth softly.
+
+"Of course," declared Patsy. "He has crossed the Rubicon and is going to
+get well. I feel it in my bones!"
+
+"Let us hope," responded Beth, "that Ajo also feels it in his bones,
+rather than in his stomach."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+STILL A MYSTERY
+
+
+The day advanced to luncheon time and Uncle John and the Weldons came
+back from their mountain trip. Hollywood is in the foothills and over the
+passes are superb automobile roads into the fruitful valleys of San
+Fernando and La Canada.
+
+"Seen anything of the boy--A. Jones?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"Yes; and perhaps we've seen the last of him," answered Beth.
+
+"Oh. Has he gone?"
+
+"No one knows. Patsy fed him and he went to sleep. What has happened
+since we cannot tell."
+
+The girls then related the experiences of the morning, at which both
+Uncle John and Arthur looked solemn and uncomfortable. But Louise
+said calmly:
+
+"I think Patsy was quite right. I wouldn't have dared such a thing
+myself, but I'm sure that boy needed a square meal more than anything. If
+he dies, that breakfast has merely hastened his end; but if he doesn't
+die it will do him good."
+
+"There's another possibility," remarked Uncle John. "He may be suffering
+agonies with no one to help him."
+
+Patsy's face was white as chalk. The last hour or two had brought her
+considerable anxiety and her uncle's horrible suggestion quite unnerved
+her. She stole away to the office and inquired the number of Mr. Jones'
+room. It was on the ground floor and easily reached by a passage. The
+girl tiptoed up to the door and putting her ear to the panel listened
+intently. A moment later a smile broke over her face; she chuckled
+delightedly and then turned and ran buck to her friends.
+
+"He's snoring like a walrus!" she cried triumphantly.
+
+"Are you sure they are not groans?" asked Arthur.
+
+"Pah! Can't I recognize a snore when I hear it? And I'll bet it's the
+first sound sleep he's had in a month."
+
+Mr. Merrick and Arthur went to the door of the boy's room to satisfy
+themselves that Patsy was not mistaken, and the regularity of the sounds
+quickly convinced them the girl was right. So they had a merry party at
+luncheon, calling Patsy "Doctor" with grave deference and telling her she
+had probably saved the life of A. Jones for a second time.
+
+"And now," proposed Uncle John, when the repast was over, "let us drive
+down to the sea and have a look at that beautiful launch that came in
+yesterday. Everyone is talking about it and they say it belongs to some
+foreign prince."
+
+So they motored to Santa Monica and spent the afternoon on the sands,
+watching the bathers and admiring the graceful outlines of the big yacht
+lying at anchor a half mile from the shore. The boat was something of a
+mystery to everybody. It was named the "Arabella" and had come from
+Hawaii via San Francisco; but what it was doing here and who the owner
+might be were questions no one seemed able to answer. Rumor had it that
+a Japanese prince had come in it to inspect the coast line, but newspaper
+reporters were forbidden to scale the side and no satisfaction was given
+their eager questioning by the bluff old captain who commanded the craft.
+So the girls snapped a few kodak pictures of the handsome yacht and then
+lost interest in it.
+
+That evening they met Mrs. Montrose and the Stanton girls at dinner and
+told them about the boy, who still remained invisible. Uncle John had
+listened at his door again, but the snores had ceased and a deathlike
+silence seemed to pervade the apartment. This rendered them all a trifle
+uneasy and when they left the dining room Arthur went to the hotel clerk
+and asked:
+
+"Have you seen Mr. Jones this evening?"
+
+"No," was the reply. "Do you know him?"
+
+"Very slightly."
+
+"Well, he's the queerest guest we've ever had. The first day he ate
+nothing at all. This morning I hear he had a late breakfast. Wasn't
+around to lunch, but a little while ago we sent a meal to his room that
+would surprise you."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes. A strange order it was! Broiled mushrooms, pancakes with maple
+syrup and ice cream. How is that for a mix-up--and at dinner time, too!"
+said the clerk, disgustedly.
+
+Arthur went back and reported.
+
+"All right," said Patsy, much relieved. "We've got him started and now he
+can take care of himself. Come, Uncle; let's all go down town and see the
+picture that drove Mr. Goldstein crazy."
+
+"He was very decent to us to-day," asserted Flo Stanton.
+
+"Did he ask any explanation about Maud's appearing in the picture of a
+rival company?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"No, not a word."
+
+"Did he mention Mr. Jones, who conquered him so mysteriously?"
+asked Beth.
+
+"Not at all. Goldstein confined himself strictly to business; but he
+treated us with unusual courtesy," explained Maud.
+
+They were curious to see the films of the rescue, and the entire party
+rode to the down-town theatre where the Corona picture was being run.
+Outside the entrance they found the audacious placard, worded just as
+Goldstein had reported, and they all agreed it was a mean trick to claim
+another firm's star as their own.
+
+"I do not think the Corona Company is responsible for this announcement,"
+said Uncle John. "It is probably an idea of the theatre proprietor, who
+hoped to attract big business in that way."
+
+"He has succeeded," grumbled Arthur, as he took his place at the end of a
+long line of ticket buyers.
+
+The picture, as it flashed on the screen, positively thrilled them. First
+was shown the crowd of merry bathers, with Patsy and Maud standing in the
+water a little apart from the others. Then the boy--far out beyond the
+rest--threw up his arms, struggling desperately. Maud swam swiftly toward
+him, Patsy making for the shore. The launching of the boat, the race to
+rescue, Maud's effort to keep the drowning one afloat, and the return to
+the shore, where an excited crowd surrounded them--all was clearly shown
+in the picture. Now they had the advantage of observing the expressions
+on the faces of the bathers when they discovered a tragedy was being
+enacted in their midst. The photographs were so full of action that the
+participants now looked upon their adventure in a new light and regarded
+it far more seriously than before.
+
+The picture concluded with the scene where Uncle John lifted the body
+into the automobile and dashed away with it to the hospital.
+
+Maud Stanton, used as she was to seeing herself in motion pictures, was
+even more impressed than the others when observing her own actions at a
+time when she was wholly unconscious that a camera-man had his lens
+focused upon her.
+
+"It's a great picture!" whispered Flo, as they made their way out of the
+crowded theatre. "Why can't all our films be as natural and absorbing as
+this one?"
+
+"Because," said her sister, "in this case there is no acting. The picture
+carries conviction with a force that no carefully rehearsed scene could
+ever accomplish."
+
+"That is true," agreed her Aunt Jane. "The nature scenes are the best,
+after all."
+
+"The most unsatisfactory pictures I have ever seen," remarked Uncle John,
+"were those of prominent men, and foreign kings, and the like, who stop
+before the camera and bow as awkwardly as a camel. They know they are
+posing, and in spite of their public experience they're as bashful as
+schoolboys or as arrogant as policemen, according to their personal
+characteristics."
+
+"Did you notice the mob of children in that theatre?" asked Patsy, as
+they proceeded homeward. "I wish there were more pictures made that are
+suitable to their understandings."
+
+"They enjoy anything in the way of a picture," said Arthur. "It isn't
+necessary to cater to children; they'll go anyhow, whatever is shown."
+
+"That may be, to an extent, true," said Beth. "Children are fascinated by
+any sort of motion pictures, but a lot of them must be wholly
+incomprehensible to the child mind. I agree with Patsy that the little
+ones ought to have their own theatres and their own pictures."
+
+"That will come, in time," prophesied Aunt Jane. "Already the film
+makers are recognizing the value of the children's patronage and are
+trying to find subjects that especially appeal to them."
+
+They reached the hotel soon after ten o'clock and found "Ajo" seated in
+the lobby. He appeared much brighter and stronger than the day before and
+rose to greet Patsy with a smile that had lost much of its former sad
+expression.
+
+"Congratulate me, Dr. Doyle," said he. "I'm still alive, and--thanks to
+your prescription--going as well as could be expected."
+
+"I'm glad I did the right thing," she replied; "but we were all a little
+worried for fear I'd make a mistake."
+
+"I have just thrown away about a thousand of those food-tablets," he
+informed her with an air of pride. "I am positive there is no substitute
+for real food, whatever the specialists may say. In fact," he continued
+more soberly, "I believe you have rescued me a second time from certain
+death, for now I have acquired a new hope and have made up my mind to
+get well."
+
+"Be careful not to overdo it," cautioned Uncle John. "You ordered a
+queer supper, we hear."
+
+"But it seemed to agree with me. I've had a delightful sleep--the first
+sound sleep in a month--and already I feel like a new man. I waited up to
+tell you this, hoping you would be interested."
+
+"We are!" exclaimed Patsy, who felt both pride and pleasure. "This
+evening we have been to see the motion picture of your rescue from
+drowning."
+
+"Oh. How did you like it?"
+
+"It's a splendid picture. I'm not sure it will interest others as much as
+ourselves, yet the people present seemed to like it."
+
+"Well it was their last chance to observe my desperate peril and my
+heroic rescue," said the boy. "The picture will not be shown after
+to-night."
+
+"Why not?" they asked, in surprise.
+
+"I bought the thing this afternoon. It didn't seem to me quite modest to
+exploit our little adventure in public."
+
+This was a new phase of the strange boy's character and the girls did
+not know whether to approve it or not.
+
+"It must have cost you something!" remarked Flo, the irrepressible.
+"Besides, how could you do it while you were asleep?"
+
+"Why, I wakened long enough to use the telephone," he replied with a
+smile. "There are more wonderful inventions in the world than motion
+pictures, you know."
+
+"But you like motion pictures, don't you?" asked Maud, wondering why he
+had suppressed the film in question.
+
+"Very much. In fact, I am more interested in them than in anything else,
+not excepting the telephone--which makes Aladdin's lamp look like a
+firefly in the sunshine."
+
+"I suppose," said Flo, staring into his face with curious interest,
+"that you will introduce motion pictures into your island of Sangoa,
+when you return?"
+
+"I suppose so," he answered, a little absently. "I had not considered
+that seriously, as yet, but my people would appreciate such a treat,
+I'm sure."
+
+This speech seemed to destroy, in a manner, their shrewd conjecture
+that he was in America to purchase large quantities of films. Why,
+then, should Goldstein have paid such abject deference to this
+unknown islander?
+
+In his own room, after the party had separated for the night, Mr. Merrick
+remarked to Arthur Weldon as they sat smoking their cigars:
+
+"Young Jones is evidently possessed of some means."
+
+"So it seems," replied Arthur. "Perhaps his father, the scientific
+recluse, had accumulated some money, and the boy came to America to get
+rid of it. He will be extravagant and wasteful for awhile, and then go
+back to his island with the idea that he has seen the world."
+
+Uncle John nodded.
+
+"He is a rather clean-cut young fellow," said he, "and the chances are he
+won't become dissipated, even though he loses his money through lack of
+worldly knowledge or business experience. A boy brought up and educated
+on an island can't be expected to prove very shrewd, and whatever the
+extent of his fortune it is liable to melt like snow in the sunshine."
+
+"After all," returned Arthur, "this experience won't hurt him. He will
+still have his island to return to."
+
+They smoked for a time in silence.
+
+"Has it ever occurred to you, sir," said Arthur, "that the story Jones
+has related to us, meager though it is, bears somewhat the stamp of a
+fairy tale?"
+
+Uncle John removed his cigar and looked reflectively at the ash.
+
+"You mean that the boy is not what he seems?"
+
+"Scarcely that, sir. He seems like a good boy, in the main. But his story
+is--such as one might invent if he were loath to tell the truth."
+
+Uncle John struck a match and relit his cigar.
+
+"I believe in A. Jones, and I see no reason to doubt his story," he
+asserted. "If real life was not full of romance and surprises, the
+novelists would be unable to interest us in their books."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
+
+
+The day had not started auspiciously for the Stanton sisters. Soon after
+they arrived at the Continental Film Company's plant Maud had wrenched
+her ankle by stumbling over some loose planks which had been carelessly
+left on the open-air stage, and she was now lying upon a sofa in the
+manager's room with her limb bandaged and soaked with liniment.
+
+Flo was having troubles, too. A girl who had been selected by the
+producer to fall from an aeroplane in mid-air had sent word she was ill
+and could not work to-day, and the producer had ordered Flo to prepare
+for the part. Indignantly she sought the manager, to file a protest, and
+while she waited in the anteroom for an audience, Mr. A. Jones of Sangoa
+came in and greeted her with a bow and a smile.
+
+"Good gracious! Where did _you_ come from?" she inquired.
+
+"My hotel. I've just driven over to see Goldstein," he replied.
+
+"You'll have to wait, I'm afraid," she warned him. "The manager is busy
+just now. I've been wiggling on this bench half an hour, and haven't seen
+him yet--and my business is very important."
+
+"So is mine, Miss Flo," he rejoined, looking at her with an odd
+expression. Then, as a stenographer came hurrying from the inner room, he
+stopped the girl and said:
+
+"Please take my card to Mr. Goldstein."
+
+"Oh, he won't see anybody now, for he's busy talking with one of our
+producers. You'll have to call again," she said flippantly. But even as
+she spoke she glanced at the card, started and turned red. "Oh, pardon
+me!" she added hastily and fled back to the managerial sanctum.
+
+"That's funny!" muttered Flo, half to herself.
+
+"Yes," he said, laughing, "my cards are charged with electricity, and
+they're bound to galvanize anyone in this establishment. Come in, Miss
+Flo," he added, as Goldstein rushed out of his office to greet the boy
+effusively; "your business takes precedence to mine, you know."
+
+The manager ushered them into his office, a big room with a busy aspect.
+At one end were two or three girls industriously thumping typewriters;
+McNeil, the producer, was sorting manuscript on Goldstein's own desk; a
+young man who served as the manager's private secretary was poring over a
+voluminous record-book, wherein were listed all the films ever made by
+the manufacturers of the world. On a sofa in a far corner reclined the
+injured "star" of the company, Maud Stanton, who--being half asleep at
+the moment--did not notice the entrance of her sister and young Jones.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Jones; pray sit down!" exclaimed Goldstein eagerly,
+pointing to his own chair. "Would you like me to clear the room, so that
+our conversation may be private?"
+
+"Not yet," replied the boy, refusing the seat of honor and taking a
+vacant chair. "Miss Stanton has precedence, and I believe she wishes to
+speak with you."
+
+Goldstein took his seat at the desk and cast an inquiring glance at Flo.
+
+"Well?" he demanded, impatiently.
+
+"Mr. Werner has ordered me to do the airship stunt for his picture,
+because Nance Holden isn't here to-day," began the girl.
+
+"Well, why annoy me with such trifles? Werner knows what he wants, and
+you'll do as well as the Holden girl."
+
+"But I don't want to tumble out of that airship," she protested.
+
+"There's no danger. Life nets will be spread underneath the aeroplane,"
+said the manager. "The camera merely catches you as you are falling, so
+the thing won't be more than twenty or thirty feet from the ground. Now
+run away and don't bother. I must speak with Mr. Jones."
+
+"But I'm afraid, Mr. Goldstein!" pleaded the girl. "I don't want to go up
+in the aeroplane, and these stunts are not in my line, or what I was
+engaged to do."
+
+"You'll do what I tell you!" asserted the manager, with marked
+irritation. "I won't stand for any rebellion among my actors, and you'll
+do as Werner orders or you'll forfeit your week's pay."
+
+Here Maud half rose from her sofa to address her employer.
+
+"Please, Mr. Goldstein," she said, "don't make Flo do that fall. There
+are plenty of other girls to take her place, and she--"
+
+"Silence, Miss Stanton!" roared the manager. "You'll disrupt all
+discipline if you interfere. A nice time we'd have here, if we allowed
+our actors to choose their own parts! I insist that your sister obey my
+producer's orders."
+
+"Quite right, Goldstein," remarked young Jones, in his quiet voice.
+"You've carried your point and maintained discipline. I like that. Miss
+Flo Stanton will do exactly what you request her to do. But you're going
+to change your mind and think better of her protest. I'm almost sure,
+Goldstein, from the expression of your face, that you intend to issue
+prompt orders that another girl must take her place."
+
+Goldstein looked at him steadily a moment and the arrogant expression
+changed to one of meek subservience.
+
+"To be sure!" he muttered. "You have read my mind accurately, Mr. Jones.
+Here, Judd," to his secretary, "find Werner and tell him I don't approve
+his choice of Flo Stanton as a substitute for Nance Holden. Let's see;
+tell him to put that Moore girl in her place."
+
+The young fellow bowed and left the room. McNeil smiled slyly to himself
+as he bent over his manuscript. Jones had gone to Maud's side to inquire
+anxiously after her injury.
+
+"I don't imagine it will amount to much," she said reassuringly. "Mr.
+Goldstein wants me to rest quietly until this afternoon, when our new
+photo-play is to be produced. I'm to do the leading part, you know, and
+he thinks I'll be able by that time to get through all right."
+
+Goldstein overheard this and came toward them, rubbing his hands together
+nervously.
+
+"That seems unwise, Miss Maud," objected Jones. "To use your foot so
+soon might make it much worse. Let us postpone the play until some
+other time."
+
+Goldstein's face was a study. His body twitched spasmodically.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Jones!" he exclaimed; "that's impossible; it wouldn't do at
+all! We've been rehearsing this play and preparing for its production for
+the last two weeks, and to-day all our actors and assistants are here and
+ready to make the picture. I've already postponed it four hours--until
+this afternoon--to favor Miss Stanton, but, really--"
+
+"Never mind the details," interrupted the boy. "I do not consider Miss
+Stanton able to do her work to-day. Send her back to her hotel at once
+and order the play postponed until she is able to attend."
+
+Goldstein was greatly disturbed by this order, issued quietly but in a
+tone of command that brooked no opposition. Again he glanced shrewdly at
+the young man, and in the manager's face astonishment and fear were
+intermingled.
+
+"Sir," he said in repressed tones, for he was really angry and had been
+accustomed to wield the power of an autocrat in this establishment, "you
+are placing me in an embarrassing position. I am expected to make every
+day count, so that the Continental may pay a liberal profit to its
+owners. To follow your instructions would burden us with an enormous
+expense, quite useless, I assure you, and--"
+
+"Very well. Incur the expense, Goldstein."
+
+"All right, Mr. Jones. Excuse me a moment while I issue instructions for
+the postponement."
+
+McNeil rose and faced the manager.
+
+"Are you really going to postpone this important play?" he demanded, in a
+voice of wonder.
+
+Goldstein was glad to vent his chagrin on the producer.
+
+"No insolence, sir!" he roared. "Come with me, and," as he dragged McNeil
+to the door and paused there, "if you dare lisp a word of what you've
+overheard, I'll fire you like a shot!"
+
+When they had left the room Maud said with a puzzled air:
+
+"I can't understand your power over Goldstein, Mr. Jones. He is a
+dictator--almost a tyrant--and in this place his word is law. At least,
+it was until you came, and--and--"
+
+"Don't try to understand it, Miss Stanton," he answered in a careless
+manner. "Do you think you can manage to crawl to the automobile, or shall
+we carry you?"
+
+"I'll bet Goldstein has murdered someone, and Mr. Jones knows all about
+it!" exclaimed Flo, who had been an interested witness of the scene.
+
+Maud stood up, with her sister's support, and tested her lame ankle.
+
+"It still hurts a little," she said, "but I can manage to hobble on it."
+
+"Get your sister's wraps," the boy said to Flo, "and we'll send her
+straight home."
+
+"I expect Goldstein will dock my salary, as well as fine Flo," remarked
+Maud musingly, as she waited for her hat and coat. "He obeyed you very
+meekly, Mr. Jones, but I could see a wicked glitter in his eye,
+nevertheless."
+
+"I am sure the manager will neither dock nor fine either of you," he
+replied reassuringly. "On the contrary, you might sue the company for
+damages, for leaving that lumber where you would fall over it."
+
+"Oh, no," she returned, laughing at the idea. "We have signed contracts
+waiving any damages for injuries sustained while at work on the premises.
+We all have to do that, you know, because the business is hazardous at
+its best. On the other hand, Mr. Goldstein has a physician and surgeon
+always within call, in case of accident, and the service is quite free to
+all the employees."
+
+He nodded.
+
+"I know. But the fact that you signed such a contract, under compulsion,
+would not prevent the court from awarding damages, if you sustained them
+while on duty."
+
+"This hurt is nothing of importance," she said hastily. "In a day or two
+I shall be able to walk as well as ever."
+
+Flo came running back with Maud's things. Aunt Jane followed, saying
+that if Maud was to go to the hotel she would accompany her and take
+care of her.
+
+"I've examined the ankle," she said to young Jones, "and I assure you it
+is not a severe strain. But it is true that she will be better off in her
+own room, where she can rest quietly. So I will go with her."
+
+"How about Miss Flo?" asked the boy.
+
+"Flo is very self-reliant and will get along to-day very nicely without
+me," replied Mrs. Montrose.
+
+Mr. Goldstein entered, frowning and still resenting the interference of
+this Mr. A. Jones of Sangoa. But he ventured no further protest nor did
+he speak until Maud, Flo and Aunt Jane had all left the room.
+
+"You're not going, Mr. Jones?" he asked.
+
+"Only to see Miss Stanton started for home. Then I'll come back and have
+a little talk with you."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+PICTURES, GIRLS AND NONSENSE
+
+
+"Well, Aunt Jane," said Maud Stanton, when their car was rolling toward
+the hotel and the girl had related the remarkable interview in the
+office, "what do you think of Ajo now?"
+
+"He is certainly an amazing young man," was the reply. "I cannot in any
+way figure out his connection with Goldstein, or his power over the man.
+The Continental Film Manufacturing Company is a great corporation, with
+headquarters in New York, and Mr. Goldstein is the authorized head and
+manager of the concern on the Pacific coast. I understand his salary is
+ten thousand a year. On the other hand, young Jones has only been in this
+country for a year, coming from an insignificant island somewhere in the
+South Seas, where he was born and reared. Much of the time since he
+arrived in America he has been an invalid. Aside from this meager
+information, no one seems to know anything about him."
+
+"Putting the case that way makes it all the more remarkable," observed
+Maud. "A big, experienced, important man, cowed by a mere boy. When
+Goldstein first met this callow, sallow youth, he trembled before him.
+When the boy enters the office of the great film company he dictates to
+the manager, who meekly obeys him. Remember, too, that A. Jones, by his
+interference, has caused a direct loss to the company, which Goldstein
+will have to explain, as best he may, in his weekly report to the New
+York office. A more astonishing state of affairs could not be imagined,
+Aunt Jane!"
+
+"The puzzle will solve itself presently," said the lady. "Abnormal
+conditions seldom last long."
+
+Maud passed the day in bed, quietly reading a book. Her injury was really
+slight and with rest it mended rapidly. Patsy and Beth came in to see her
+and in the conversation that ensued the girls were told of the latest
+mystery surrounding A. Jones.
+
+"It is surely queer!" admitted Miss Doyle, impressed and thoughtful.
+"Uncle John and Arthur were saying this noon, at lunch, that Ajo was a
+helpless sort of individual and easily influenced by others--as witness
+his caving in to me when I opposed his doctor's treatment. Arthur thinks
+he has come to this country to squander what little money his father left
+him and that his public career outside the limits of his little island
+will be brief. Yet according to your story the boy is no weakling but has
+power and knows how to use it."
+
+"He surely laid down the law to Goldstein," said Maud.
+
+"He is very young," remarked Beth, ignoring the fact that she was herself
+no older, "and perhaps that is why we attach so much importance to his
+actions. A grown-up man is seldom astonishing, however eccentric he may
+prove to be. In a boy we expect only boyishness, and young Jones has
+interested us because he is unique."
+
+After a little the conversation drifted to motion pictures, for both
+Patsy and Beth were eager to learn all about the business details of film
+making, which Maud, by reason of her months of experience, was able to
+explain to them in a comprehensive manner. Flo came home toward evening,
+but had little more to tell them, as the day had passed very quietly at
+the "studio." Jones had remained closeted with the manager for a full
+hour, and it was remarked that after he had gone away Goldstein was
+somewhat subdued and performed his duties less aggressively than usual.
+
+Maud's visitors now left her to dress for dinner, at which meal she was
+able to rejoin them, walking with a slight limp but otherwise recovered
+from her accident. To their surprise, young Jones appeared as they were
+entering the dining room and begged for a seat at their table. Uncle John
+at once ordered another place laid at the big round table, which
+accommodated the company of nine very nicely.
+
+Ajo sat between Patsy and Maud and although he selected his dishes with
+some care he partook of all the courses from soup to dessert.
+
+The morning interview with Goldstein was not mentioned. Ajo inquired
+about Maud's hurt but then changed the subject and conversed upon nearly
+everything but motion pictures. However, after they had repaired to the
+hotel lobby and were seated together in a cosy, informal group, Patsy
+broached a project very near to her heart.
+
+"Beth and I," said she, "have decided to build a Children's
+Picture Theatre."
+
+"Where?" asked Uncle John, rather startled by the proposition.
+
+"Here, or in Los Angeles," was the reply.
+
+"You see," explained Beth, "there is a crying need for a place where
+children may go and see pictures that appeal especially to them and are,
+at the same time, quite proper for them to witness. A great educational
+field is to be opened by this venture, and Patsy and I would enjoy the
+work of creating the first picture theatre, exclusively for children,
+ever established in America."
+
+"You may say, 'in the world,'" added Arthur. "I like this idea of yours,
+girls, and I hope you will carry it out."
+
+"Oh, they'll carry it out, all right," remarked Uncle John. "I've been
+expecting something of this sort, ever since we came here. My girls,
+Mr. Jones," he said, turning to the young man, "are always doing some
+quaint thing, or indulging in some queer enterprise, for they're a
+restless lot. Before Louise married, she was usually in these skirmishes
+with fate, but now--"
+
+"Oh, I shall join Patsy and Beth, of course," asserted Louise. "It will
+make it easier for all, to divide the expense between us, and I am as
+much interested in pictures as they are."
+
+"Perhaps," said Patsy musingly, "we might build two theatres, in
+different parts of the city. There are so many children to be amused. And
+we intend to make the admission price five cents."
+
+"Have you any idea what it costs to build one of these picture theatres?"
+asked Arthur.
+
+"We're not going to build one of 'these' theatres," retorted Patsy. "Many
+of the dens I've been in cost scarcely anything, being mere shelters. The
+city is strewn with a lot of miserable, stuffy theatres that no one can
+enjoy sitting in, even to see a good picture. We have talked this over
+and decided to erect a new style of building, roomy and sanitary, with
+cushioned seats and plenty of broad aisles. There are one or two of this
+class already in Los Angeles, but we want to make our children's theatres
+a little better than the best."
+
+"And the expense?"
+
+"Well, it will cost money, of course. But it will be a great delight to
+the children--bless their little hearts!"
+
+"This is really a business enterprise," added Beth gravely.
+
+Uncle John chuckled with amusement.
+
+"Have you figured out the profits?" he inquired.
+
+"It really ought to pay, Uncle," declared Patsy, somewhat nettled by this
+flaccid reception of her pet scheme. "All the children will insist on
+being taken to a place like that, for we shall show just the pictures
+they love to see. And, allowing there is no money to be made from the
+venture, think of the joy we shall give to innumerable little ones!"
+
+"Go ahead, my dears," said Uncle John, smiling approval. "And, if you
+girls find you haven't enough money to carry out your plans, come to me."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Uncle!" exclaimed Beth. "But I feel sure we can manage
+the cost ourselves. We will build one of the theatres first, and if that
+is a success we will build others."
+
+"But about those films, made especially for children," remarked Arthur.
+"Where will you get them?"
+
+"Why, there are lots of firms making films," replied Patsy. "We can
+select from all that are made the ones most suitable for our purpose."
+
+"I fear you cannot do that," said Mrs. Montrose, who had listened with
+wonder to this conversation. "There are three combinations, or 'trusts,'
+among the film makers, which are known as the Licensed, the Mutual and
+the Independents. If you purchase from one of these trusts, you cannot
+get films from the others, for that is their edict. Therefore you will
+have only about one-third of the films made to select from."
+
+"I thought money would buy anything--in the way of merchandise," said
+Louise, half laughing and half indignant.
+
+"Not from these film dictators," was the reply.
+
+"They all make a few children's pictures," announced Maud Stanton. "Even
+the Continental turns out one occasionally. But there are not nearly
+enough, taken all together, to supply an exclusive children's theatre."
+
+"Then we will have some made," declared Patsy. "We will order some fairy
+tales, such as the children like. They would be splendid in motion
+pictures."
+
+"Some have already been made and exhibited," said Mrs. Montrose. "The
+various manufacturers have made films of the fairy tales of Hans
+Andersen, Frank Baum, Lewis Carroll and other well-known writers."
+
+"And were they successful?"
+
+"Quite so, I believe; but such films are seldom put out except at
+holiday time."
+
+"I think, Beth," said Patsy to her cousin, in a businesslike tone, "that
+we must organize a company and make our own films. Then we can get
+exactly what we want."
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Beth, delighted with the suggestion. "And let us get
+Maud and Flo to act in our pictures. Won't it be exciting?"
+
+"Pardon me, young ladies," said A. Jones, speaking for the first time
+since this subject had been broached. "Would it not be wise to consider
+the expense of making films, before you undertake it?"
+
+Patsy looked at him inquiringly.
+
+"Do you know what the things cost?" she asked.
+
+"I've some idea," said he. "Feature films of fairy tales, such as you
+propose, cost at least two thousand dollars each to produce. You would
+need about three for each performance, and you will have to change your
+programmes at least once a week. That would mean an outlay of not less
+than six thousand dollars a week, which is doubtless more money than your
+five-cent theatre could take in."
+
+This argument staggered the girls for a moment. Then Beth asked: "How do
+the ordinary theatres manage?"
+
+"The ordinary theatre simply rents its pictures, paying about three
+hundred dollars a week for the service. There is a 'middleman,' called
+the 'Exchange,' whose business is to buy the films from the makers and
+rent them to the theatres. He pays a big price for a film, but is able
+to rent it to dozens of theatres, by turns, and by this method he not
+only gets back the money he has expended but makes a liberal profit."
+
+"Well," said Patsy, not to be baffled, "we could sell several copies of
+our films to these middlemen, and so reduce the expense of making them
+for our use."
+
+"The middleman won't buy them," asserted Jones. "He is the thrall of one
+or the other of the trusts, and buys only trust pictures."
+
+"I see," said Uncle John, catching the idea; "it's a scheme to destroy
+competition."
+
+"Exactly," replied young Jones.
+
+"What does the Continental do, Maud?" asked Patsy.
+
+"I don't know," answered the girl; "but perhaps Aunt Jane can tell you."
+
+"I believe the Continental is a sort of trust within itself," explained
+Mrs. Montrose. "Since we have been connected with the company I have
+learned more or less of its methods. It employs a dozen or so producing
+companies and makes three or four pictures every week. The concern has
+its own Exchange, or middleman, who rents only Continental films to the
+theatres that patronize him."
+
+"Well, we might do the same thing," proposed Patsy, who was loath to
+abandon her plan.
+
+"You might, if you have the capital," assented Mrs. Montrose. "The
+Continental is an immense corporation, and I am told it has more than a
+million dollars invested."
+
+"Two millions," said A. Jones.
+
+The girls were silent a while, seriously considering this startling
+assertion. They had, between them, considerable money, but they realized
+they could not enter a field that required such an enormous investment as
+film making.
+
+"I suppose," said Beth regretfully, "we shall have to give up
+making films."
+
+"Then where are we to get the proper pictures for our theatre?"
+demanded Patsy.
+
+"It is quite evident we _can't_ get them," said Louise. "Therefore we may
+be obliged to abandon the theatre proposition."
+
+Another silence, still more grave. Uncle John was discreet enough to say
+nothing. The Stantons and Mrs. Montrose felt it was not their affair.
+Arthur Weldon was slyly enjoying the chagrin visible upon the faces of
+Mr. Merrick's three pretty nieces.
+
+As for A. Jones, he was industriously figuring upon the back of an
+envelope with a stubby bit of pencil.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A FOOLISH BOY
+
+
+It was the youthful Sangoan who first broke the silence. Glancing at the
+figures he had made he said:
+
+"It is estimated that if twenty picture theatres use any one film--copies
+of it, of course--that film will pay for its cost of making. Therefore,
+if you build twenty children's theatres, instead of the one or two you
+originally proposed, you would be able to manufacture your own films and
+they would be no expense to you."
+
+They gazed at him in bewilderment.
+
+"That is all simple enough!" laughed Arthur. "Twenty picture theatres at
+twenty thousand dollars each--a low estimate, my dears, for such as you
+require--would mean an investment of four hundred thousand dollars. A
+film factory, with several producing companies to keep it busy, and all
+the necessary paraphernalia of costumes and properties, would mean a
+million or so more. Say a million and a half, all told. Why, it's a mere
+bagatelle!"
+
+"Arthur!" Severely, from Louise.
+
+"I advise you girls to economize in other ways and devote your resources
+to this business, which might pay you--and might not," he continued,
+oblivious to stony glares.
+
+"Really, Mr. Jones," said Beth, pouting, "we were not joking, but in
+real earnest."
+
+"Have I questioned it, Miss De Graf?"
+
+"Mr. Jones was merely trying to show you how--er--er--how impractical
+your idea was," explained Uncle John mildly.
+
+"No; I am in earnest, too," said the boy. "To prove it, I will agree to
+establish a plant and make the pictures, if the young ladies will build
+the twenty theatres to show them in."
+
+Here was another suggestion of a bewildering nature. Extravagant as
+the offer seemed, the boy was very serious. He blushed a little as he
+observed Mr. Merrick eyeing him earnestly, and continued in an
+embarrassed, halting way: "I--I assure you, sir, that I am able to
+fulfill my part of the agreement. Also I would like to do it. It
+would serve to interest me and keep me occupied in ways that are not
+wholly selfish. My--my other business does not demand my personal
+attention, you see."
+
+To hear this weak, sickly youth speak of investing a million dollars in
+a doubtful enterprise, in spite of the fact that he lived on a far-away
+island and was a practical stranger in America, set them all to
+speculating anew in regard to his history and condition in life. Seeing
+that the boy had himself made an opening for a logical query, Uncle
+John asked:
+
+"Do you mind telling us what this other business is, to which you refer?"
+
+A. Jones moved uneasily in his chair. Then he glanced quickly around the
+circle and found every eye regarding him with eager curiosity. He blushed
+again, a deep red this time, but an instant later straightened up and
+spoke in a tone of sudden resolve.
+
+"Most people dislike to speak of themselves," he said, "and I am no
+exception. But you, who have kindly received me as a friend, after having
+generously saved me from an untimely death, have surely the right to
+know something about me--if, indeed, the subject interests you."
+
+"It is but natural that we should feel an interest in you, Mr. Jones,"
+replied Mr. Merrick; "yet I assure you we have no desire to pry into your
+personal affairs. You have already volunteered a general statement of
+your antecedents and the object of your visit to America, and that, I
+assure you, will suffice us. Pardon me for asking an impertinent
+question."
+
+The boy seemed perplexed, now.
+
+"I did not consider it impertinent, sir. I made a business proposal to
+your nieces," he said, "and before they could accept such a proposal they
+would be entitled to know something of my financial standing."
+
+For a green, inexperienced youth, he spoke with rare acumen, thought Mr.
+Merrick; but the old gentleman had now determined to shield the boy from
+a forced declaration of his finances, so he said:
+
+"My nieces can hardly afford to accept your proposition. They are really
+able to build one or two theatres without inconveniencing themselves,
+but twenty would be beyond their means. You, of course, understand they
+were not seeking an investment, but trying, with all their hearts, to
+benefit the children. I thoroughly approve their original idea, but if it
+requires twenty picture theatres to render it practical, they will
+abandon the notion at once."
+
+Jones nodded absently, his eyes half closed in thought. After a brief
+pause he replied:
+
+"I hate to see this idea abandoned at the very moment of its birth. It's
+a good idea, and in no way impractical, in my opinion. So permit me to
+make another proposition. I will build the twenty theatres myself, and
+furnish the films for them, provided the young ladies will agree to
+assume the entire management of them when they are completed."
+
+Dead silence followed this speech. The girls did some rapid-fire mental
+calculations and realized that this young man was proposing to invest
+something like fourteen hundred thousand dollars, in order that they
+might carry out their philanthropic conception. Why should he do this,
+even if he could afford it?
+
+Both Mr. Merrick and Arthur Weldon were staring stolidly at the floor.
+Their attitudes expressed, for the first time, doubt--if not positive
+unbelief. As men of considerable financial experience, they regarded the
+young islander's proposition as an impossible one.
+
+Jones noted this blank reception of his offer and glanced appealingly at
+Patsy. It was an uncomfortable moment for the girl and to avoid meeting
+his eyes she looked away, across the lobby. A few paces distant stood a
+man who leaned against a table and held a newspaper before his face.
+Patsy knew, however, that he was not reading. A pair of dark, glistening
+eyes peered over the top of the paper and were steadfastly fixed upon the
+unconscious features of young Jones.
+
+Something in the attitude of the stranger, whom she had never seen
+before, something in the rigid pose, the intent gaze--indicating both
+alertness and repression--riveted the girl's attention at once and gave
+her a distinct shock of uneasiness.
+
+"I wish," said the boy, in his quiet, firm way, yet with much deference
+in his manner and tone, "that you young ladies would consider my offer
+seriously, and take proper time to reach a decision. I am absolutely in
+earnest. I want to join you in your attempt to give pleasure to children,
+and I am willing and--and able--to furnish the funds required. Without
+your cooperation, however, I could do nothing, and my health is such that
+I wish to leave the management of the theatres entirely in your hands, as
+well as all the details of their construction."
+
+"We will consider it, of course, Mr. Jones," answered Beth gravely. "We
+are a little startled just now, as you see; but when we grow accustomed
+to the immensity of the scheme--our baby, which you have transformed into
+a giant--we shall be able to consider it calmly and critically, and
+decide if we are competent to undertake the management of so many
+theatres."
+
+"Thank you. Then, I think, I will excuse myself for this evening and
+return to my room. I'm improving famously, under Dr. Doyle's
+instructions, but am not yet a rugged example of health."
+
+Patsy took his hand at parting, as did the others, but her attention was
+divided between Ajo and the strange man who had never for a moment
+ceased watching him. Not once did the dark eyes waver, but followed each
+motion of the boy as he sauntered to the desk, got his key from the
+clerk, and then proceeded to his room, turning up one of the corridors
+on the main floor.
+
+The stranger now laid his newspaper on the table and disclosed his
+entire face for the first time. A middle-aged man, he seemed to be,
+with iron-gray hair and a smoothly shaven, rather handsome face. From
+his dress he appeared to be a prosperous business man and it was
+evident that he was a guest of the hotel, for he wandered through the
+lobby--in which many other guests were grouped, some chatting and
+others playing "bridge"--and presently disappeared down the corridor
+traversed by young Jones.
+
+Patsy drew a deep breath, but said nothing to the others, who, when
+relieved of the boy's presence, began to discuss volubly his
+singular proposal.
+
+"The fellow is crazy," commented Arthur. "Twenty picture theatres,
+with a film factory to supply them, is a big order even for a
+multi-millionaire--and I can't imagine this boy coming under that head."
+
+"He seemed in earnest," said Maud, musingly. "What do you think,
+Aunt Jane?"
+
+"I am greatly perplexed," admitted Mrs. Montrose. "Had I not known of the
+conquest of Goldstein by this boy, who issued orders which the manager of
+the Continental meekly obeyed, I would have laughed at his proposition.
+As it is, I'm afraid to state that he won't carry out his plan to the
+letter of the agreement."
+
+"Would it not be a rash investment, ma'am?" inquired Uncle John.
+
+"Frankly, I do not know. While all the film makers evade any attempt to
+discover how prosperous--financially--they are, we know that without
+exception they have grown very wealthy. I am wondering if this young
+Jones is not one of the owners of the Continental--a large stockholder,
+perhaps. If so, that not only accounts for his influence with Goldstein,
+but it proves him able to finance this remarkable enterprise. He
+doubtless knows what he is undertaking, for his figures, while not
+accurate, were logical."
+
+"Of course!" cried Patsy. "That explains everything."
+
+"Still," said Uncle John cautiously, "this is merely surmise on our part,
+and before accepting it we must reconcile it with the incongruities in
+the case. It is possible that the elder Jones owned an interest in the
+Continental and bequeathed it to his son. But is it probable? Remember,
+he was an islander, and a recluse."
+
+"More likely," said Beth, "Ajo's father left him a great fortune, which
+the boy invested in the Continental stock."
+
+"I have been told," remarked Aunt Jane thoughtfully, "that Continental
+stock cannot be bought at any price. It pays such enormous dividends that
+no owner will dispose of it."
+
+"The whole thing is perplexing in the extreme," declared Arthur. "The boy
+tells a story that at first seems frank and straightforward, yet his
+statements do not dovetail, so to speak."
+
+"I think he is holding something back," said Beth; "something that would
+explain all the discrepancies in his story. You were wrong, Uncle John,
+not to let him speak when he offered to tell you all."
+
+"There was something in his manner that made me revolt from forcing his
+confidence," was the reply.
+
+"There was something in his manner that made me think he was about
+to concoct a story that would satisfy our curiosity," said Louise
+with a shrug.
+
+Uncle John looked around the circle of faces.
+
+"You are not questioning the young fellow's sincerity, I hope?" said he.
+
+"I don't, for a single second!" asserted Patsy, stoutly. "He may have a
+queer history, and he may not have told us all of it, but Ajo is honest.
+I'll vouch for him!"
+
+"So will I, my dear," said Uncle John.
+
+"That is more than I can do, just at present," Arthur frankly stated. "My
+opinion is that his preposterous offer is mere bluff. If you accepted
+it, you would find him unable to do his part."
+
+"Then what is his object?" asked Maud.
+
+"I can't figure it out, as yet. He might pose as a millionaire and a
+generous friend and philanthropist for some time, before the truth was
+discovered, and during that time he could carry out any secret plans he
+had in mind. The boy is more shrewd than he appears to be. We, by chance
+saved his life, and at once he attached himself to us like a barnacle,
+and we can't shake him off."
+
+"We don't want to," said Patsy.
+
+"My explanation is that he has fallen in love with one of us
+girls," suggested Flo, with a mischievous glance at her sister. "I
+wonder if it's me?"
+
+"It is more likely," said Louise, "that he has discovered Uncle John to
+be a very--prosperous--man."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear!" exclaimed that gentleman, evidently irritated by the
+insinuation. "Don't pick the boy to pieces. Give him a chance. So far he
+has asked nothing from us, but offers everything. He's a grateful fellow
+and is anxious to help you girls carry out your ambitious plans. That is
+how I read him, and I think it is absurd to prejudge him in the way you
+are doing."
+
+The party broke up, the Stantons and Weldons going to their rooms. Beth
+also rose.
+
+"Are you coming to bed, Patsy?" she inquired.
+
+"Not just now," her cousin replied. "Between us, we've rubbed Uncle
+John's fur the wrong way and he won't get composed until he has
+smoked his good-night cigar. I'll sit with him in this corner and
+keep him company."
+
+So the little man and his favorite niece were left together, and he did
+not seem in the least ruffled as he lit his cigar and settled down in a
+big chair, with Patsy beside him, to enjoy it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+ISIDORE LE DRIEUX
+
+
+Perhaps the cigar was half gone when Patsy gave a sudden start and
+squeezed Uncle John's hand, which she had been holding in both her own.
+
+"What is it, my dear?"
+
+"The man I told you of. There he is, just across the lobby. The man with
+the gray clothes and gray hair."
+
+"Oh, yes; the one lighting a cigar."
+
+"Precisely."
+
+Uncle John gazed across the lobby reflectively. The stranger's eyes roved
+carelessly around the big room and then he moved with deliberate steps
+toward their corner. He passed several vacant chairs and settees on his
+way and finally paused before a lounging-chair not six feet distant from
+the one occupied by Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Pardon me; is this seat engaged, sir?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Uncle John, not very graciously, for it was a deliberate
+intrusion.
+
+The stranger sat down and for a time smoked his cigar in silence. He was
+so near them that Patsy forbore any conversation, knowing he would
+overhear it.
+
+Suddenly the man turned squarely in their direction and addressed them.
+
+"I hope you will pardon me, Mr. Merrick, if I venture to ask a
+question," said he.
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"I saw you talking with Mr. Jones this evening--A. Jones, you know, who
+says he came from Sangoa."
+
+"Didn't he?" demanded the old gentleman.
+
+The stranger smiled.
+
+"Perhaps; once on a time; allowing such a place exists. But his last
+journey was here from Austria."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+Mr. Merrick and Patsy were both staring at the man incredulously.
+
+"I am quite sure of that statement, sir; but I cannot prove it, as yet."
+
+"Ah! I thought not."
+
+Patsy had just told her uncle how she had detected this man stealthily
+watching Jones, and how he had followed the boy when he retired to his
+room. The present interview had, they both knew, something to do with
+this singular action. Therefore Mr. Merrick restrained his indignation at
+the stranger's pointed questioning. He realized quite well that the man
+had come to their corner determined to catechise them and gain what
+information he could. Patsy realized this, too. So, being forewarned,
+they hoped to learn his object without granting him the satisfaction of
+"pumping" them.
+
+"I suppose you are friends of this Mr. A. Jones," was his next remark.
+
+"We are acquaintances," said Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Has he ever mentioned his adventures in Austria to you?"
+
+"Are _you_ a friend of Mr. Jones?" demanded uncle John.
+
+"I am not even an acquaintance," said the man, smiling. "But I am
+interested in him, through a friend of mine who met him abroad. Permit me
+to introduce myself, sir."
+
+He handed them a card which read:
+
+      "ISADORE LE DRIEUX
+Importer of Pearls and Precious Stones
+        36 Maiden Lane,
+        New York City."
+
+"I have connections abroad, in nearly all countries," continued the man,
+"and it is through some of them that I have knowledge of this young
+fellow who has taken the name of A. Jones. In fact, I have a portrait of
+the lad, taken in Paris, which I will show you."
+
+He searched in his pocket and produced an envelope from which he
+carefully removed a photograph, which he handed to Uncle John. Patsy
+examined it, too, with a start of surprise. The thin features, the large
+serious eyes, even the closely set lips were indeed those of A. Jones.
+But in the picture he wore a small mustache.
+
+"It can't be _our_ A. Jones," murmured Patsy. "This one is older."
+
+"That is on account of the mustache," remarked Le Drieux, who was
+closely watching their faces. "This portrait was taken more than a
+year ago."
+
+"Oh; but he was in Sangoa then," protested Patsy, who was really
+bewildered by the striking resemblance.
+
+The stranger smiled indulgently.
+
+"As a matter of fact, there is no Sangoa." said he; "so we may doubt the
+young man's assertion that he was ever there."
+
+"Why are you interested in him?" inquired Mr. Merrick.
+
+"A natural question," said Le Drieux, after a moment of hesitation. "I
+know you well by reputation, Mr. Merrick, and believe I am justified in
+speaking frankly to you and your niece, provided you regard my statements
+as strictly confidential. A year ago I received notice from my friend in
+Austria that the young man had gone to America and he was anxious I
+should meet him. At the time I was too busy with my own affairs to look
+him up, but I recently came to California for a rest, and noticed the
+strong resemblance between the boy, A. Jones, and the portrait sent me.
+So I hunted up this picture and compared the two. In my judgment they are
+one and the same. What do _you_ think, sir?"
+
+"I believe there is a resemblance," answered Uncle John, turning the
+card over. "But here is a name on the back of the photograph: 'Jack
+Andrews.'"
+
+"Yes; this is Jack Andrews," said Le Drieux, nodding. "Have you ever
+heard the name before?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Well, Andrews is noted throughout Europe, and it is but natural he
+should desire to escape his notoriety by assuming another name out here.
+Do you note the similarity of the initials? 'J.A.' stand for Jack
+Andrews. Reverse them and 'A.J.' stand for A. Jones. By the way, what
+does he claim the 'A' means? Is it Andrew?"
+
+"It means nothing at all," said Patsy. "He told us so."
+
+"I see. You caught him unprepared. That isn't like Jack. He is always
+on guard."
+
+Both Patsy and Uncle John were by this time sorely perplexed. They had a
+feeling common to both of them, that the subject of this portrait and A.
+Jones were two separate and distinct persons; yet the resemblance could
+not be denied, if they were indeed the same, young Jones had deliberately
+lied to them, and recalling his various statements and the manner in
+which they had been made, they promptly acquitted the boy of the charge
+of falsehood.
+
+"For what was Jack Andrews noted throughout Europe?" inquired Mr.
+Merrick, after silently considering these things.
+
+"Well, he was a highflier, for one thing." answered Le Drieux. "He was
+known as a thorough 'sport' and, I am told, a clever gambler. He had a
+faculty of making friends, even among the nobility. The gilded youth of
+London, Paris and Vienna cultivated his acquaintance, and through them he
+managed to get into very good society. He was a guest at the splendid
+villa of Countess Ahmberg, near Vienna, when her magnificent collection
+of pearls disappeared. You remember that loss, and the excitement it
+caused, do you not?"
+
+"No, sir; I have never before heard of the Countess of Ahmberg or
+her pearls."
+
+"Well, the story filled the newspapers for a couple of weeks. The
+collection embraced the rarest and most valuable pearls known to exist."
+
+"And you accuse this man, Andrews, of stealing them?" asked Uncle John,
+tapping with his finger the portrait he still held.
+
+"By no means, sir; by no means!" cried Le Drieux hastily. "In fact, he
+was one of the few guests at the villa to whom no suspicion attached.
+From the moment the casket of pearls was last seen by the countess until
+their loss was discovered, every moment of Andrews' time was accounted
+for. His alibi was perfect and he was quite prominent in the unsuccessful
+quest of the thief."
+
+"The pearls were not recovered, then?"
+
+"No. The whole affair is still a mystery. My friend in Vienna, a pearl
+merchant like myself, assisted Andrews in his endeavor to discover the
+thief and, being much impressed by the young man's personality, sent me
+this photograph, asking me to meet him, as I have told you, when he
+reached America."
+
+"Is his home in this country?"
+
+"New York knows him, but knows nothing of his family or his history. He
+is popular there, spending money freely and bearing the reputation of an
+all-around good fellow. On his arrival there, a year ago, he led a gay
+life for a few days and then suddenly disappeared. No one knew what had
+become of him. When I found him here, under the name of A. Jones, the
+disappearance was solved."
+
+"I think," said Uncle John, "you are laboring under a serious, if
+somewhat natural, mistake. The subject of this picture is like A. Jones,
+indeed, but he is older and his expression more--more--"
+
+"Blase and sophisticated," said Patsy.
+
+"Thank you, my dear; I am no dictionary, and if those are real words they
+may convey my meaning. I feel quite sure, Mr. Le Drieux, that the story
+of Andrews can not be the story of young Jones."
+
+Le Drieux took the picture and replaced it in his pocket.
+
+"To err is human," said he, "and I will admit the possibility of my being
+mistaken in my man. But you will admit the resemblance?"
+
+"Yes. They might be brothers. But young Jones has said he has no
+brothers, and I believe him."
+
+Le Drieux sat in silence for a few minutes. Then he said:
+
+"I appealed to you, Mr. Merrick, because I was not thoroughly satisfied,
+in my own mind, of my conclusions. You have added to my doubts, I must
+confess, yet I cannot abandon the idea that the two men are one and the
+same. As my suspicion is only shared by you and your niece, in
+confidence, I shall devote myself for a few days to studying young Jones
+and observing his actions. In that way I may get a clue that will set all
+doubt at rest."
+
+"We will introduce you to him," said Patsy. "and then you may question
+him as much as you like."
+
+"Oh, no; I prefer not to make his acquaintance until I am quite sure,"
+was the reply. "If he is not Jack Andrews he would be likely to resent
+the insinuation that he is here trading under a false name. Good night,
+Mr. Merrick. Good night, Miss Doyle. I thank you for your courteous
+consideration."
+
+He had risen, and now bowed and walked away.
+
+"Well," said Patsy. "what was he after? And did he learn anything from
+us?"
+
+"He did most of the talking himself," replied Uncle John, looking after
+Le Drieux with a puzzled expression. "Of course he is not a jewel
+merchant."
+
+"No," said Patsy, "he's a detective, and I'll bet a toothpick to a match
+that he's on the wrong scent."
+
+"He surely is. Unfortunately, we cannot warn Ajo against him."
+
+"It isn't necessary, Uncle. Why, the whole thing is absurd. Our boy is
+not a gambler or roysterer, nor do I think he has ever been in Europe.
+Mr. Le Drieux will have to guess again!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A FEW PEARLS
+
+
+The next morning Patsy, Beth and Louise met in earnest conference over
+the important proposition made them by young Jones, and although Uncle
+John and Arthur Weldon were both present the men took no part in the
+discussion.
+
+"Some doubt has been expressed," said Beth judicially, "that Ajo is
+really able to finance this big venture. But he says he is, and that he
+will carry it through to the end, so I propose we let him do it."
+
+"Why not?" asked Louise. "If he succeeds, it will be glorious. If he
+fails, we will suffer in no way except through disappointment."
+
+"Well, shall we accept this offer, girls?"
+
+"First," said Louise, "let us consider what we will have to do, on our
+part, when the twenty theatres are built and the film factory is in
+operation."
+
+"We are to be the general managers," returned Patsy. "We must select the
+subjects, or plots, for the pictures, and order them made under our
+direction. Then we must see that all of our theatres present them in a
+proper manner, and we must invite children to come and see the shows. I
+guess that's all."
+
+"That will be enough to keep us busy, I'm sure," said Beth. "But we will
+gladly undertake it, and I am sure we shall prove good managers, as soon
+as we get acquainted with the details of the business."
+
+"It will give us the sort of employment we like," Patsy assured them.
+"Our first duty will be to plan these theatres for children, and make
+them as cosy and comfortable as possible, regardless of expense. Ajo will
+pay the bills, and when all the buildings are ready we will set to work
+in earnest."
+
+So, when A. Jones appeared he was told that the girls would gladly accept
+his proposition. The young man seemed greatly pleased by this verdict. He
+appeared to be much better and stronger to-day and he entered eagerly
+into a discussion of the plans in detail. Together they made a list of a
+string of twenty theatres, to be built in towns reaching from Santa
+Barbara on the north to San Diego in the south. The film factory was to
+be located in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Hollywood.
+
+This consumed the entire forenoon, and after lunch they met a prominent
+real estate man whom Jones had summoned to the hotel. This gentleman was
+given a copy of the list of locations and instructed to purchase in each
+town the best site that could be secured for a motion picture theatre.
+This big order made the real estate man open his eyes in surprise.
+
+"Do you wish me to secure options, or to purchase the land
+outright?" he asked.
+
+"Be sure of your locations and then close the deals at once," replied
+Jones. "We do not wish to waste time in useless dickering, and a location
+in the heart of each town, perhaps on the main street, is more important
+than the price. You will, of course, protect me from robbery to the best
+of your ability; but buy, even if the price is exorbitant. I will this
+afternoon place a hundred thousand dollars to your credit in the bank,
+with which to make advance payments, and when you notify me how much more
+is required I will forward my checks at once."
+
+"That is satisfactory, sir. I will do the best I can to guard your
+interests," said the man.
+
+When he had gone the girls accompanied Ajo in a motorcar to Los Angeles,
+to consult an architect. They visited several offices before the boy, who
+seemed to estimate men at a glance, found one that satisfied him. The
+girls explained with care to the architect their idea of a luxurious
+picture theatre for children, and when he had grasped their conception,
+which he did with enthusiasm, he suggested several improvements on their
+immature plans and promised to have complete drawings ready to submit to
+them in a few days.
+
+From the architect's office they drove to the German-American Bank, where
+Ajo gave his check for a hundred thousand dollars, to be placed to the
+credit of Mr. Wilcox, the real estate agent. The deference shown him by
+the cashier seemed to indicate that this big check was not the extent of
+A. Jones' credit there, by any means.
+
+As they drove back to Hollywood, Patsy could not help eyeing this
+youthful capitalist with wonder. During this day of exciting business
+deals the boy had behaved admirably, and there was no longer a shadow of
+doubt in the minds of any of Uncle John's nieces that he was both able
+and anxious to carry out his part of the agreement.
+
+Patsy almost giggled outright as she thought of Le Drieux and his
+ridiculous suspicions. One would have to steal a good many pearls in
+order to acquire a fortune to match that of the Sangoan.
+
+He was speaking of Sangoa now, in answer to a question of Beth's.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said he, "Sangoa is very beautiful, and the climate is
+even more mild than that of your Southern California. The north coast is
+a high bluff, on which is a splendid forest of rosewood and mahogany. My
+father would never allow any of these magnificent trees to be cut, except
+a few that were used in building our house."
+
+"But how do your people live? What is the principal industry of your
+islanders?" asked Beth.
+
+"My people are--fishermen," he said, and then the automobile drew up
+before the hotel entrance and the conversation ended.
+
+It was on the following afternoon, as they all met in the hotel lobby
+after lunch, that a messenger handed young Jones a neat parcel, for which
+a receipt was demanded. Ajo held the parcel in his hand a while,
+listening to the chatter of the girls, who were earnestly discussing
+plans for the new picture enterprise. Then very quietly and unobtrusively
+he unwrapped the package and laid upon the table beside him several small
+boxes bearing the name of a prominent jeweler.
+
+"I hope," said he, taking advantage of a pause caused by the girls
+observing this action, and growing visibly confused by their involuntary
+stares of curiosity; "I--I hope that you, my new friends, will pardon a
+liberty I have taken. I wanted to--to present those who were instrumental
+in saving my life with--with a--a slight token of my gratitude--a sort
+of--of--memento of a brave and generous act that gave me back the life I
+had carelessly jeopardized. No," as he saw surprise and protest written
+on their faces, "don't refuse me this pleasure, I implore you! The
+little--eh--eh--mementos are from my own Island of Sangoa, with the
+necessary mountings by a Los Angeles jeweler, and--please accept them!"
+
+As he spoke he handed to each of the girls a box, afterward giving one to
+Uncle John and another to Arthur. There remained upon the table three
+others. He penciled a name upon the bottom of each and then handed them
+to Patsy, saying:
+
+"Will you kindly present these, with my compliments, to the Misses
+Stanton, and to their aunt, when they return this evening? Thank you!"
+
+And then, before they could recover from their astonishment, he turned
+abruptly and fled to his room.
+
+The girls stared at one another a moment and then began laughing. Arthur
+seemed crestfallen, while Uncle John handled his small box as gingerly as
+if he suspected it contained an explosive.
+
+"How ridiculous!" cried Patsy, her blue eyes dancing. "And did you
+notice how scared poor Ajo was, and how he skipped as fearfully as though
+he had committed some crime? But I'm sure the poor boy meant well. Let's
+open our boxes, girls, and see what foolishness Ajo has been up to."
+
+Slipping off the cover of her box, Beth uttered a low cry of amazement
+and admiration. Then she held up a dainty lavalliere, with a pendant
+containing a superb pearl. Louise had the mate to this, but the one Patsy
+found had a pearl of immense size, its color being an exquisite shade of
+pink, such as is rarely seen. Arthur displayed a ring set with a splendid
+white pearl, while Uncle John's box contained a stick pin set with a huge
+black pearl of remarkable luster. Indeed, they saw at a glance that the
+size and beauty of all these pearls were very uncommon, and while the
+others expressed their enthusiastic delight, the faces of Mr. Merrick and
+Patsy Doyle were solemn and perplexed. They stared at the pearls with
+feelings of dismay, rather than joy, and chancing to meet one another's
+eyes they quickly dropped their gaze to avoid exchanging the ugly
+suspicion that had forced itself upon their minds.
+
+With a sudden thought Patsy raised her head to cast a searching glance
+around the lobby, for although their party was seated in an alcove they
+were visible to all in the big room of which it formed a part. Yes, Mr.
+Isidore Le Drieux was standing near them, as she had feared, and the
+slight sneer upon his lips proved that he had observed the transfer of
+the pearls.
+
+So the girl promptly clasped her lavalliere around her neck and openly
+displayed it, as a proud defiance, if not a direct challenge, to that
+detestable sneer.
+
+Arthur, admiring his ring in spite of his chagrin at receiving such a
+gift from a comparative stranger, placed the token on his finger.
+
+"It is a beauty, indeed," said he, "but I don't think we ought to accept
+such valuable gifts from this boy."
+
+"I do not see why," returned his wife Louise. "I think these pretty
+tributes for saving Mr. Jones' life are very appropriate. Of course
+neither Beth nor I had anything to do with that affair, but we are
+included in the distribution because it would be more embarrassing to
+leave us out of it."
+
+"And the pearls came from Sangoa," added Beth, "so all these precious
+gifts have cost Ajo nothing, except for their settings."
+
+"If Sangoa can furnish many such pearls as these," remarked Arthur,
+reflectively, "the island ought to be famous, instead of unknown. Their
+size and beauty render the gems priceless."
+
+"Well," said Patsy soberly, "we know now where A. Jones got his money,
+which is so plentiful that he can build any number of film factories and
+picture theatres. Sangoa must have wonderful pearl fisheries--don't you
+remember, girls, that he told us his people were fishermen?--for each of
+these specimens is worth a small fortune. Mine, especially, is the
+largest and finest pearl I have ever seen."
+
+"I beg your pardon!" sternly exclaimed Uncle John, as he whirled swiftly
+around. "Can I do anything for you, sir?"
+
+For Mr. Le Drieux had stealthily advanced to the alcove and was glaring
+at the display of pearls and making notes in a small book.
+
+He bowed, without apparent resentment, as he answered Mr. Merrick: "Thank
+you, sir; you have already served me admirably. Pardon my intrusion."
+
+Then he closed the book, slipped it into his pocket and with another low
+bow walked away.
+
+"What rank impertinence!" cried Arthur, staring after him. "Some
+newspaper reporter, I suppose. Do you know him, Uncle John?"
+
+"He forced an introduction, a few evenings ago. It is a pearl
+merchant from New York, named Le Drieux, so I suppose his curiosity
+is but natural."
+
+"Shall we keep our pearls, Uncle?" asked Beth.
+
+"I shall keep mine," replied the little man, who never wore any ornament
+of jewelry. "It was generous and thoughtful in young Jones to present
+these things and we ought not offend him by refusing his 'mementos,' as
+he calls them."
+
+Perhaps all the nieces were relieved to hear this verdict, for already
+they loved their beautiful gifts. That evening the Stanton girls and
+their Aunt Jane received their parcels, being fully as much surprised as
+the others had been, and their boxes also contained pearls. Flo and Maud
+had lavallieres, the latter receiving one as large and beautiful as that
+of Patsy Doyle, while Mrs. Montrose found a brooch set with numerous
+smaller pearls.
+
+Patsy urged them all to wear the ornaments to dinner that evening, which
+they did, and although Jones was not there to observe the effect of the
+splendid pearls, Mr. Le Drieux was at his place in the dining room and
+made more notes in his little book.
+
+That was exactly what Patsy wanted. "I can't stand the suspense of this
+thing," she whispered to Uncle John, "and if that man wants any
+information about these pearls I propose we give it to him. In that way
+he will soon discover he is wrong in suspecting the identity of Jack
+Andrews and A. Jones."
+
+Mr. Merrick nodded absently and went to his corner for a smoke. Arthur
+soon after joined him, while Aunt Jane took her bevy of girls to another
+part of the loge.
+
+"Le Drieux will be here presently," said Uncle John to young Weldon.
+
+"Oh, the fellow with the book. Why, sir?"
+
+"He's a detective, I think. Anyhow, he is shadowing Jones, whom he
+suspects is a thief."
+
+He then told Arthur frankly of his former conversation with Le Drieux,
+and of the puzzling photograph.
+
+"It really resembles the boy," he admitted, with a frown of perplexity,
+"yet at the same time I realized the whole thing was absurd. Neither
+Patsy nor I can believe that Jones is the man who robbed an Austrian
+countess. It's preposterous! And let me say right now, Arthur, that I'm
+going to stand by this young fellow, with all my influence, in case those
+hounds try to make him trouble."
+
+Arthur did not reply at once. He puffed his cigar silently while he
+revolved the startling accusation in his mind.
+
+"Both you and Patsy are staunch friends," he observed, after a while,
+"and I have noticed that your intuition as regards character is seldom
+at fault. But I advise you, in this instance, not to be hasty, for--"
+
+"I know; you are going to refer to those pearls."
+
+"Naturally. If I don't, Le Drieux will, as you have yourself prophesied.
+Pearls--especially such pearls as these--are rare and easy to recognize.
+The world does not contain many black-pearls, for instance, such as that
+you are wearing. An expert--a man with a photograph that strongly
+resembles young Jones--is tracing some stolen pearls of great value--a
+collection, I think you said. We find Jones, a man seemingly unknown
+here, giving away a number of wonderful pearls that are worthy a place in
+any collection. Admit it is curious, Uncle John. It may be all a
+coincidence, of course; but how do you account for it, sir?"
+
+"Jones has an island in the South Seas, a locality where most of the
+world's famous pearls have been found."
+
+"Sangoa?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It is not on any map. This man, Le Drieux, positively stated that there
+is no such island, did he not?"
+
+Uncle John rubbed his chin, a gesture that showed he was disturbed.
+
+"He was not positive. He said he thought there was no such island."
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"If Jones could lie about his island, he would be capable of the theft of
+those pearls," admitted Mr. Merrick reluctantly.
+
+"That is conclusive, sir."
+
+"But he isn't capable of the theft. Le Drieux states that Jack Andrews is
+a society swell, an all-around confidence man, and a gambler. Jones is a
+diffident and retiring, but a very manly young fellow, who loves quiet
+and seems to have no bad habits. You can't connect the two in any
+possible way."
+
+Again Arthur took time to consider.
+
+"I have no desire to suspect Jones unjustly," he said. "In fact, I have
+been inclined to like the fellow. And yet--his quaint stories and his
+foolish expenditures have made me suspicious from the first. You have
+scarcely done justice to his character in your description, sir. To us he
+appears diffident, retiring, and rather weak, in a way, while in his
+intercourse with Goldstein he shows a mailed fist. He can be hard as
+nails, on occasion, as we know, and at times he displays a surprising
+knowledge of the world and its ways--for one who has been brought up on
+an out-of-the-way island. What do we know about him, anyway? He tells a
+tale no one can disprove, for the South Seas are full of small islands,
+some of which are probably unrecorded on the charts. All this might
+possibly be explained by remembering that a man like Jack Andrews is
+undoubtedly a clever actor."
+
+"Exactly!" said a jubilant voice behind them, and Mr. Isidore Le Drieux
+stepped forward and calmly drew up a chair, in which he seated himself.
+"You will pardon me, gentlemen, for eavesdropping, but I was curious to
+know what you thought of this remarkable young man who calls himself
+'A. Jones.'"
+
+Arthur faced the intruder with a frown. He objected to being startled in
+this manner. "You are a detective?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, scarcely that, sir," Le Drieux replied in a deprecating way. "My
+printed card indicates that I am a merchant, but in truth I am a special
+agent, employed by the largest pearl and gem dealers in the world, a firm
+with branches in every large European and American city. My name is Le
+Drieux, sir, at your service," and with a flourish he presented his card.
+
+The young rancher preferred to study the man's face.
+
+"I am a sort of messenger," he continued, placidly. "When valuable
+consignments of jewels are to be delivered, I am the carrier instead of
+the express companies. The method is safer. In twenty-six years of this
+work I have never lost a single jewel."
+
+"One firm employs you exclusively, then?"
+
+"One firm. But it has many branches."
+
+"It is a trust?"
+
+"Oh, no; we have many competitors; but none very important. Our closest
+rival, for instance, has headquarters on this very coast--in San
+Francisco--but spreads, as we do, over the civilized world. Yet
+Jephson's--that's the firm--do not claim to equal our business. They deal
+mostly in pearls."
+
+"Pearls, eh?" said Arthur, musingly. "Then it was your firm that lost the
+valuable collection of pearls you mentioned to Mr. Merrick?"
+
+"No. They were the property of Countess Ahmberg, of Vienna. But we had
+sold many of the finest specimens to the countess and have records of
+their weight, size, shape and color. The one you are now wearing, sir,"
+pointing to Uncle John's scarf pin, "is one of the best black pearls ever
+discovered. It was found at Tremloe in 1883 and was originally purchased
+by our firm. In 1887 I took it to Tiffany, who sold it to Prince Godesky,
+of Warsaw. I carried it to him, with other valuable purchases, and after
+his death it was again resold to our firm. It was in October, 1904, that
+I again became the bearer of the pearl, delivering it safely to Countess
+Ahmberg at her villa. It was stolen from her, together with 188 other
+rare pearls, valued at a half million dollars, a little over a year ago."
+
+"This pearl, sir," said Uncle John stiffly, "is not the one you refer
+to. It was found on the shores of the island of Sangoa, and you have
+never seen it before."
+
+Le Drieux smiled sweetly as he brushed the ashes from his cigar.
+
+"I am seldom mistaken in a pearl, especially one that I have handled,"
+said he. "Moreover, a good pearl becomes historic, and it is my business
+to know the history of each and every one in existence."
+
+"Even those owned by Jephson's?" asked Arthur.
+
+"Yes; unless they were acquired lately. I have spoken in this manner in
+order that you may understand the statements I am about to make, and I
+beg you to listen carefully: Three daring pearl robberies have taken
+place within the past two years. The first was a collection scarcely
+inferior to that of the Countess Ahmberg. A bank messenger was carrying
+it through the streets of London one evening, to be delivered to Lady
+Grandison, when he was stabbed to the heart and the gems stolen.
+Singularly enough, Jack Andrews was passing by and found the dying
+messenger. He called for the police, but when they arrived the messenger
+had expired. The fate of the pearls has always remained a mystery,
+although a large reward has been offered for their recovery."
+
+"Oh; a reward."
+
+"Naturally, sir. Four months later Princess Lemoine lost her wonderful
+pearl necklace while sitting in a box at the Grand Opera in Paris. This
+was one of the cleverest thefts that ever baffled the police, for the
+necklace was never recovered. We know, however, that Jack Andrews
+occupied the box next to that of the princess. A coincidence--perhaps. We
+now come to the robbery of the Countess Ahmberg, the third on the list.
+Jack Andrews was a guest at her house, as I have explained to you. No
+blame has ever attached to this youthful adventurer, yet my firm, always
+interested in the pearls they have sold, advised me to keep an eye on him
+when he returned to America. I did so.
+
+"Now, Mr. Merrick, I will add to the tale I told you the other night.
+Andrews behaved very well for a few weeks after he landed at New York;
+then he disposed of seven fine pearls and--disappeared. They were not
+notable pearls, especially, but two of them I was able to trace to the
+necklace of Princess Lemoine. I cabled my firm. They called attention to
+the various rewards offered and urged me to follow Andrews. That was
+impossible; he had left no clue. But chance favored me. Coming here to
+Los Angeles on business, I suddenly ran across my quarry: Jack Andrews.
+He has changed a bit. The mustache is gone, he is in poor health, and I
+am told he was nearly drowned in the ocean the other day. So at first I
+was not sure of my man. I registered at this hotel and watched him
+carefully. Sometimes I became positive he was Andrews; at other times I
+doubted. But when he began distributing pearls to you, his new friends,
+all doubt vanished. There, gentlemen, is my story in a nutshell. What do
+you think of it?"
+
+Both Mr. Merrick and young Weldon had listened with rapt interest, but
+their interpretation of the tale, which amounted to a positive
+accusation of A. Jones, showed the difference in the two men's natures.
+
+"I think you are on the wrong trail, sir," answered Mr. Merrick.
+"Doubtless you have been misled by a casual resemblance, coupled with
+the fact that Andrews is suspected of stealing pearls and Jones is known
+to possess pearls--the pearls being of rare worth in both cases. Still,
+you are wrong. For instance, if you have the weight and measurement of
+the Tremloe black pearl, you will find they do not fit the pearl I am
+now wearing."
+
+Le Drieux smiled genially.
+
+"It is unnecessary to make the test, sir," he replied. "The pearl Andrews
+gave to Miss Doyle is as unmistakable as your own. But I am curious to
+hear your opinion, Mr. Weldon."
+
+"I have been suspicious of young Jones from the first," said Arthur; "but
+I have been studying this boy's character, and he is positively incapable
+of the crimes you accuse him of, such as robbery and murder. In other
+words, whatever Jones may be, he is not Andrews; or, if by chance he
+proves to be Andrews, then Andrews is innocent of crime. All your
+theories are based upon a desire to secure rewards, backed by a chain of
+circumstantial evidence."
+
+"A chain," said Le Drieux, grimly, "that will hold Jack Andrews fast in
+its coils, clever though he is."
+
+"Circumstantial evidence," retorted Mr. Merrick, "doesn't amount to
+shucks! It is constantly getting good people into trouble and allowing
+rascals to escape. Nothing but direct evidence will ever convince me that
+a man is guilty."
+
+Le Drieux shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"The pearls are evidence enough," said he.
+
+"To be sure. Evidence enough to free the poor boy of suspicion. You may
+be a better messenger than you are a detective, Mr. Le Drieux, but that
+doesn't convince me you are a judge of pearls."
+
+The agent rose with a frown of annoyance.
+
+"I am going to have Jack Andrews arrested in the morning," he remarked.
+"If you warn him, in the meantime, I shall charge you with complicity."
+
+Uncle John nearly choked with anger, but he maintained his dignity.
+
+"I have no knowledge of your Jack Andrews," he replied, and turned his
+back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+TROUBLE
+
+
+Uncle John and Arthur decided not to mention to the girls this astounding
+charge of Isidore Le Drieux, fearing the news would make them nervous and
+disturb their rest, so when the men joined the merry party in the alcove
+they did not refer to their late interview.
+
+Afterward, however, when all but Arthur Weldon had gone to bed and he was
+sitting in Uncle John's room, the two discussed the matter together with
+much seriousness.
+
+"We ought to do something, sir," said Arthur. "This Jones is a mere
+boy, and in poor health at that. He has no friends, so far as we
+know, other than ourselves. Therefore it is our duty to see him
+through this trouble."
+
+Mr. Merrick nodded assent.
+
+"We cannot prevent the arrest," he replied, "for Le Drieux will not
+listen to reason. If we aided Jones to run away he would soon be caught.
+Absurd as the charge is, the youngster must face it and prove his
+innocence."
+
+Arthur paced the floor in a way that indicated he was disturbed by
+this verdict.
+
+"He ought to have no difficulty in proving he is not Jack Andrews," he
+remarked, reflectively; "and yet--those pearls are difficult to explain.
+Their similarity to the ones stolen in Europe fooled the expert, Le
+Drieux, and they are likely to fool a judge or jury. I hope Jones has
+some means of proving that he brought the pearls from Sangoa. That would
+settle the matter at once."
+
+"As soon as he is arrested we will get him a lawyer--the best in this
+country," said Mr. Merrick. "More than that we cannot do, but a good
+lawyer will know the proper method of freeing his client."
+
+The next morning they were up early, awaiting developments; but Le Drieux
+seemed in no hurry to move. He had breakfast at about nine o'clock, read
+his newspaper for a half hour or so, and then deliberately left the
+hotel. All of Mr. Merrick's party had breakfasted before this and soon
+after Le Drieux had gone away young Jones appeared in the lobby. He was
+just in time to see the Stanton girls drive away in their automobile,
+accompanied by their Aunt Jane.
+
+"The motion picture stars must be late to-day," said the boy, looking
+after them.
+
+"They are," answered Patsy, standing beside him at the window; "but Maud
+says this happens to be one of their days of leisure. No picture is to be
+taken and they have only to rehearse a new play. But it's a busy life,
+seems to me, and it would really prove hard work if the girls didn't
+enjoy it so much."
+
+"Yes," said he, "it's a fascinating profession. I understand, and nothing
+can be called _work_ that is interesting. When we are obliged to do
+something that we do not like to do, it becomes 'work.' Otherwise, what
+is usually called 'work' is mere play, for it furnishes its quota of
+amusement."
+
+He was quite unconscious of any impending misfortune and when Beth and
+Louise joined Patsy in thanking him for his pretty gifts of the pearls he
+flushed with pleasure. Evidently their expressions of delight were very
+grateful to his ears.
+
+Said Uncle John, in a casual way: "Those are remarkably fine pearls, to
+have come from such an island as Sangoa."
+
+"But we find much better ones there, I assure you," replied the boy. "I
+have many in my room of much greater value, but did not dare ask you to
+accept them as gifts."
+
+"Do many pearls come from Sangoa, then?" asked Arthur.
+
+"That is our one industry," answered the young man. "Many years ago my
+father discovered the pearl fisheries. It was after he had purchased the
+island, but he recognized the value of the pearls and brought a colony of
+people from America to settle at Sangoa and devote their time to pearl
+fishing. Once or twice every year we send a ship to market with a
+consignment of pearls to our agent, and--to be quite frank with you--that
+is why I am now able to build the picture theatres I have contracted for,
+as well as the film factory."
+
+"I see," said Uncle John. "But tell me this, please: Why is Sangoa so
+little known, or rather, so quite unknown?"
+
+"My father," Jones returned, "loved quiet and seclusion. He was willing
+to develop the pearl fisheries, but objected to the flock of adventurers
+sure to descend upon his island if its wealth of pearls became generally
+known. His colony he selected with great care and with few exceptions
+they are a sturdy, wholesome lot, enjoying the peaceful life of Sangoa
+and thoroughly satisfied with their condition there. It is only within
+the last two years that our American agents knew where our pearls came
+from, yet they could not locate the island if they tried. I do not feel
+the same desire my father did to keep the secret, although I would
+dislike to see Sangoa overrun with tourists or traders."
+
+He spoke so quietly and at the same time so convincingly that both
+Arthur and Uncle John accepted his explanation unquestioningly.
+Nevertheless, in the embarrassing dilemma in which Jones would presently
+be involved, the story would be sure to bear the stamp of unreality to
+any uninterested hearer.
+
+The girls had now begun to chatter over the theatre plans, and their
+"financial backer"--as Patsy Doyle called him--joined them with eager
+interest. Arthur sat at a near-by desk writing a letter; Uncle John
+glanced over the morning paper; Inez, the Mexican nurse, brought baby to
+Louise for a kiss before it went for a ride in its perambulator.
+
+An hour had passed when Le Drieux entered the lobby in company with a
+thin-faced, sharp-eyed man in plain clothes. They walked directly toward
+the group that was seated by the open alcove window, and Arthur Weldon,
+observing them and knowing what was about to happen, rose from the
+writing-desk and drew himself tensely together as he followed them. Uncle
+John lowered his paper, frowned at Le Drieux and then turned his eyes
+upon the face of young Jones.
+
+It was the thin-featured man who advanced and lightly touched the
+boy's arm.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said he, in even, unemotional tones. "You are Mr.
+Andrews, I believe--Mr. Jack Andrews?"
+
+The youth turned his head to look at his questioner.
+
+"No, sir," he answered with a smile. "A case of mistaken identity. My
+name is Jones." Then, continuing his speech to Patsy Doyle, he said:
+"There is no need to consider the acoustic properties of our theatres,
+for the architect--"
+
+"Pardon me again," interrupted the man, more sternly. "I am positive this
+is _not_ a case of mistaken identity. We have ample proof that Jack
+Andrews is parading here, under the alias of 'A. Jones.'"
+
+The boy regarded him with a puzzled expression.
+
+"What insolence!" muttered Beth in an under-tone but audible enough to be
+distinctly heard.
+
+The man flushed slightly and glanced at Le Drieux, who nodded his head.
+Then he continued firmly:
+
+"In any event, sir, I have a warrant for your arrest, and I hope you will
+come with me quietly and so avoid a scene."
+
+The boy grew pale and then red. His eyes narrowed as he stared fixedly at
+the officer. But he did not change his position, nor did he betray
+either fear or agitation. In a voice quite unmoved he asked:
+
+"On what charge do you arrest me?"
+
+"You are charged with stealing a valuable collection of pearls from the
+Countess Ahmberg, at Vienna, about a year ago."
+
+"But I have never been in Vienna."
+
+"You will have an opportunity to prove that."
+
+"And my name is not Andrews."
+
+"You must prove that, also."
+
+The boy thought for a moment. Then he asked:
+
+"Who accuses me?"
+
+"This gentleman; Mr. Le Drieux. He is an expert in pearls, knows
+intimately all those in the collection of the countess and has recognized
+several which you have recently presented to your friends, as among those
+you brought from Austria."
+
+Again Jones smiled.
+
+"This is absurd, sir," he remarked.
+
+The officer returned the smile, but rather grimly.
+
+"It is the usual protest, Mr. Andrews. I don't blame you for the denial,
+but the evidence against you is very strong. Will you come? And quietly?"
+
+"I am unable to offer physical resistance," replied the young fellow,
+as he slowly rose from his chair and displayed his thin figure.
+"Moreover," he added, with a touch of humor, "I believe there's a fine
+for resisting an officer. I suppose you have a legal warrant. May I be
+permitted to see it?"
+
+The officer produced the warrant. Jones perused it slowly and then handed
+it to Mr. Merrick, who read it and passed it back to the officer.
+
+"What shall I do, sir?" asked the boy.
+
+"Obey the law," answered Uncle John. "This officer is only the law's
+instrument and it is useless to argue with him. But I will go with you to
+the police station and furnish bail."
+
+Le Drieux shook his head.
+
+"Quite impossible, Mr. Merrick," he said. "This is not a bailable
+offense."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"I am positive. This is an extradition case, of international
+importance. Andrews, after an examination, will be taken to New York and
+from there to Vienna, where his crime was committed."
+
+"But he has committed no crime!"
+
+Le Drieux shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"He is accused, and he must prove his innocence," said he.
+
+"But that is nonsense!" interposed Arthur warmly. "There is no justice in
+such an assertion. If I know anything of the purpose of the law, and I
+think I do, you must first prove this man's guilt before you carry him to
+Austria to be tried by a foreign court."
+
+"I don't care a snap for the purpose of the law," retorted Le Drieux.
+"Our treaty with Austria provides for extradition, and that settles
+it. This man is already under arrest. The judge who issued the warrant
+believes that Jones is Jack Andrews and that Jack Andrews stole the
+pearls from the Countess Ahmberg. Of course, the prisoner will have a
+formal examination, when he may defend himself as best he can, but we
+haven't made this move without being sure of our case, and it will be
+rather difficult for him to escape the penalty of his crimes, clever
+as he is."
+
+"Clever?" It was Jones himself who asked this, wonderingly.
+
+Le Drieux bowed to him with exaggerated politeness.
+
+"I consider you the cleverest rogue in existence," said he. "But even the
+cleverest may be trapped, in time, and your big mistake was in disposing
+of those pearls so openly. See here," he added, taking from his pocket a
+small packet. "Here are the famous Taprobane pearls--six of them--which
+were found in your room a half hour ago. They, also, were a part of the
+countess' collection."
+
+"Oh, you have been to my room?"
+
+"Under the authority of the law."
+
+"And you have seen those pearls before?"
+
+"Several times. I am an expert in pearls and can recognize their value at
+a glance," said Le Drieux with much dignity.
+
+Jones gave a little chuckle and then turned deprecatingly to Mr. Merrick.
+
+"You need not come with me to the station, sir," said he; "but, if you
+wish to assist me, please send me a lawyer and then go to the Continental
+and tell Mr. Goldstein of my predicament."
+
+"I will do that," promptly replied Uncle John.
+
+Jones turned to bow to the girls.
+
+"I hope you young ladies can forgive this disgraceful scene," he remarked
+in a tone of regret rather then humiliation. "I do not see how any effort
+of mine could have avoided it. It seems to be one of the privileges of
+the people's guardians, in your free country, to arrest and imprison
+anyone on a mere suspicion of crime. Here is a case in which someone has
+sadly blundered, and I imagine it is the pompous gentleman who claims to
+know pearls and does not," with a nod toward Le Drieux, who scowled
+indignantly.
+
+"It is an outrage!" cried Beth.
+
+"It's worse than that," said Patsy; "but of course you can easily prove
+your innocence."
+
+"If I have the chance," the boy agreed. "But at present I am a prisoner
+and must follow my captor."
+
+He turned to the officer and bowed to indicate that he was ready to go.
+Arthur shook the young fellow's hand and promised to watch his interests
+in every possible way.
+
+"Go with him now, Arthur," proposed Louise. "It's a hard thing to be
+taken to jail and I'm sure he needs a friend at his side at this time."
+
+"Good advice," agreed Uncle John. "Of course they'll give him a
+preliminary hearing before locking him up, and if you'll stick to him
+I'll send on a lawyer in double-quick time."
+
+"Thank you," said the boy. "The lawyer first, Mr. Merrick, and then
+Goldstein."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+UNCLE JOHN IS PUZZLED
+
+
+Uncle John was off on his errands even before Jones and Arthur Weldon
+had driven away from the hotel with the officer and Le Drieux. There had
+been no "scene" and none of the guests of the hotel had any inkling of
+the arrest.
+
+Uncle John had always detested lawyers and so he realized that he was
+sure to be a poor judge of the merits of any legal gentleman he might
+secure to defend Jones.
+
+"I may as well leave it to chance," he grumbled, as he drove down the
+main boulevard. "The rascals are all alike!"
+
+Glancing to this side and that, he encountered a sign on a building:
+"Fred A. Colby, Lawyer."
+
+"All right; I mustn't waste time," he said, and stopping his driver he
+ascended a stairway to a gloomy upper hall. Here the doors, all in a row,
+were alike forbidding, but one of them bore the lawyer's name, so Mr.
+Merrick turned the handle and abruptly entered.
+
+A sallow-faced young man, in his shirt-sleeves, was seated at a table
+littered with newspapers and magazines, engaged in the task of putting
+new strings on a battered guitar. As his visitor entered he looked up in
+surprise and laid down the instrument.
+
+"I want to see Colby, the lawyer," began Uncle John, regarding the
+disordered room with strong disapproval.
+
+"You are seeing him," retorted the young man, with a fleeting smile, "and
+I'll bet you two to one that if you came here on business you will
+presently go away and find another lawyer."
+
+"Why?" questioned Mr. Merrick, eyeing him more closely.
+
+"I don't impress people," explained Colby, picking up the guitar again.
+"I don't inspire confidence. As for the law, I know it as well as
+anyone--which is begging the question--but when I'm interviewed I have
+to admit I've had no experience."
+
+"No practice?"
+
+"Just a few collections, that's all I sleep on that sofa yonder, eat at
+a cafeteria, and so manage to keep body and soul together. Once in a
+while a stranger sees my sign and needs a lawyer, so he climbs the
+stairs. But when he meets me face to face he beats a hasty retreat."
+
+As he spoke, Colby tightened a string and began strumming it to get it
+tuned. Uncle John sat down on the one other chair in the room and
+thought a moment.
+
+"You've been admitted to the bar?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir. Graduate of the Penn Law School."
+
+"Then you know enough to defend an innocent man from an unjust
+accusation?"
+
+Colby laid down the guitar.
+
+"Ah!" said he, "this grows interesting. I really believe you have half a
+mind to give me your case. Sir, I know enough, I hope, to defend an
+innocent man; but I can't promise, offhand, to save him, even from an
+unjust accusation."
+
+"Why not? Doesn't law stand for justice?"
+
+"Perhaps; in the abstract. Anyhow, there's a pretty fable to that effect.
+But law in the abstract, and law as it is interpreted and applied, are
+not even second cousins. To be quite frank, I'd rather defend a guilty
+person than an innocent one. The chances are I'd win more easily. Are you
+sure your man is innocent?"
+
+Uncle John scowled.
+
+"Perhaps I'd better find another lawyer who is more optimistic," he said.
+
+"Oh, I'm full of optimism, sir. My fault is that I'm not well known in
+the courts and have no arrangement to divide my fees with the powers that
+be. But I've been observing and I know the tricks of the trade as well as
+any lawyer in California. My chief recommendation, however, is that I'm
+eager to get a case, for my rent is sadly overdue. Why not try me, just
+to see what I'm able to do? I'd like to find that out myself."
+
+"This is a very important matter," asserted Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Very. If I'm evicted for lack of rent-money my career is crippled."
+
+"I mean the case is a serious one."
+
+"Are you willing to pay for success?"
+
+"Liberally."
+
+"Then I'll win it for you. Don't judge my ability by my present
+condition, sir. Tell me your story and I'll get to work at once."
+
+Uncle John rose with sudden decision.
+
+"Put on your coat," he said, and while Colby obeyed with alacrity he gave
+him a brief outline of the accusation brought against Jones. "I want you
+to take my car," he added, "and hasten to the police station, that you
+may be present at the preliminary examination. There will be plenty of
+time to talk afterward."
+
+Colby nodded. His coat and hat made the young lawyer quite presentable
+and without another word he followed Mr. Merrick down the stairs and took
+his seat in the motorcar. Next moment he was whirling down the street and
+Uncle John looked after him with a half puzzled expression, as if he
+wondered whether or not he had blundered in his choice of a lawyer.
+
+A little later he secured a taxicab and drove to the office of the
+Continental Film Manufacturing Company. Mr. Goldstein was in his office
+but sent word that he was too busy to see visitors. Nevertheless, when
+Mr. Merrick declared he had been sent by A. Jones, he was promptly
+admitted to the manager's sanctum.
+
+"Our friend, young Jones," he began, "has just been arrested by a
+detective."
+
+Goldstein's nervous jump fairly raised him off his chair; but in
+an instant he settled back and shot an eager, interested look at
+his visitor.
+
+"What for, Mr. Merrick?" he demanded.
+
+"For stealing valuable pearls from some foreign woman. A trumped-up
+charge, of course."
+
+Goldstein rubbed the palms of his hands softly together. His face wore a
+look of supreme content.
+
+"Arrested! Ah, that is bad, Mr. Merrick. It is very bad indeed. And it
+involves us--the Continental, you know--in an embarrassing manner."
+
+"Why so?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Can't you see, sir?" asked the manager, trying hard to restrain a
+smile. "If the papers get hold of this affair, and state that our
+president--our biggest owner--the man who controls the Continental
+stock--is a common thief, the story will--eh--eh--put a bad crimp in
+our business, so to speak."
+
+Uncle John looked at the man thoughtfully.
+
+"So Jones controls the Continental, eh?" he said. "How long since, Mr.
+Goldstein?"
+
+"Why, since the January meeting, a year and more ago. It was an
+astonishing thing, and dramatic--believe _me_! At the annual meeting of
+stockholders in walks this stripling--a mere kid--proves that he holds
+the majority of stock, elects himself president and installs a new board
+of directors, turning the tired and true builders of the business out in
+the cold. Then, without apology, promise or argument, President Jones
+walks out again! In an hour he upset the old conditions, turned our
+business topsy-turvy and disappeared with as little regard for the
+Continental as if it had been a turnip. That stock must have cost him
+millions, and how he ever got hold of it is a mystery that has kept us
+all guessing ever since. The only redeeming feature of the affair was
+that the new board of directors proved decent and Jones kept away from us
+all and let us alone. I'd never seen him until he came here a few days
+ago and began to order me around. So, there, Mr. Merrick, you know as
+much about Jones as I do."
+
+Mr. Merrick was perplexed. The more he heard of young Jones the more
+amazing; the boy seemed to be.
+
+"Has the Continental lost money since Jones took possession?" he
+inquired.
+
+"I think not," replied Goldstein, cautiously. "You're a business man, Mr.
+Merrick, and can understand that our machinery--our business system--is
+so perfect that it runs smoothly, regardless of who grabs the dividends.
+What I object to is this young fellow's impertinence in interfering with
+my work here. He walks in, reverses my instructions to my people, orders
+me to do unbusinesslike things and raises hob with the whole
+organization."
+
+"Well, it belongs to him, Goldstein," said Uncle John, in defense of
+the boy. "He is your employer and has the right to dictate. But just at
+present he needs your help. He asked me to come here and tell you of
+his arrest."
+
+Goldstein shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"His arrest is none of my business," was his reply. "If Jones stole the
+money to buy Continental stock he must suffer the consequences. I'm
+working for the stock, not for the individual."
+
+"But surely you will go to the station and see what can be done for him?"
+protested Uncle John.
+
+"Surely I will not," retorted the manager. "What's the use? There isn't
+even a foot of good picture film in so common a thing as the arrest of a
+thief--and the censors would forbid it if there were. Let Jones fight
+his own battles."
+
+"It occurs to me," suggested Mr. Merrick, who was growing indignant,
+"that Mr. Jones will be able to satisfy the court that he is not a thief,
+and so secure his freedom without your assistance. What will happen then,
+Mr. Goldstein?"
+
+"Then? Why, it is still none of my business. I'm the manager of a motion
+picture concern--one of the biggest concerns in the world--and I've
+nothing to do with the troubles of my stockholders."
+
+He turned to his desk and Mr. Merrick was obliged to go away without
+farther parley. On his way out he caught a glimpse of Maud Stanton
+passing through the building. She was dressed in the costume of an Indian
+princess and looked radiantly beautiful. Uncle John received a nod and a
+smile and then she was gone, without as yet a hint of the misfortune that
+had overtaken A. Jones of Sangoa.
+
+Returning to the hotel, rather worried and flustered by the morning's
+events, he found the girls quietly seated in the lobby, busy over their
+embroidery.
+
+"Well, Uncle," said Patsy, cheerfully, "is Ajo still in limbo?"
+
+"I suppose so," he rejoined, sinking into an easy chair beside her. "Is
+Arthur back yet?"
+
+"No," said Louise, answering for her husband, "he is probably staying to
+do all he can for the poor boy."
+
+"Did you get a lawyer?" inquired Beth.
+
+"I got a fellow who claims to be a lawyer; but I'm not sure he will be
+of any use."
+
+Then he related his interview with Colby, to the amusement of his nieces,
+all three of whom approved the course he had taken and were already
+prepared to vouch for the briefless barrister's ability, on the grounds
+that eccentricity meant talent.
+
+"You see," explained Miss Patsy, "he has nothing else to do but jump
+heart and soul into this case, so Ajo will be able to command his
+exclusive services, which with some big, bustling lawyer would be
+impossible."
+
+Luncheon was over before Arthur finally appeared, looking somewhat grave
+and perturbed.
+
+"They won't accept bail," he reported. "Jones must stay in jail until his
+formal examination, and if they then decide that he is really Jack
+Andrews he will remain in jail until his extradition papers arrive."
+
+"When will he be examined?" asked Louise.
+
+"Whenever the judge feels in the humor, it seems. Our lawyer demanded
+Jones' release at once, on the ground that a mistake of identity had
+been made; but the stupid judge is of the opinion that the charge
+against our friend is valid. At any rate he refused to let him go. He
+wouldn't even argue the case at present. He issues a warrant on a
+charge of larceny, claps a man in jail whether innocent or not, and
+refuses to let him explain anything or prove his innocence until a
+formal examination is held."
+
+"There is some justice in that," remarked Uncle John. "Suppose Jones is
+guilty; it would be a mistake to let him go free until a thorough
+examination had been made."
+
+"And if he is innocent, he will have spent several days in jail, been
+worried and disgraced, and there is no redress for the false
+imprisonment. The judge won't even apologize to him!"
+
+"It's all in the interests of law and order, I suppose," said Patsy; "but
+the law seems dreadfully inadequate to protect the innocent. I suppose
+it's because the courts are run by cheap and incompetent people who
+couldn't earn a salary in any other way."
+
+"Someone must run them, and it isn't an ambitious man's job," replied
+Uncle John. "What do you think of the lawyer I sent you, Arthur?"
+
+The young ranchman smiled.
+
+"He's a wonder, Uncle. He seemed to know more about the case than Jones
+or I did, and more about the law than the judge did. He's an
+irrepressible fellow, and told that rascal Le Drieux a lot about pearls
+that the expert never had heard before. Where did you find him, sir?"
+
+Uncle John explained.
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "I think Jones is in good hands. Colby has secured
+him a private room at the jail, with a bath and all the comforts of home.
+Meals are to be sent in from a restaurant and when I left the place the
+jailer had gone out to buy Jones a stock of books to while away his
+leisure hours--which are bound to be numerous. I'd no idea a prisoner
+could live in such luxury."
+
+"Money did it, I suppose," Patsy shrewdly suggested.
+
+"Yes. Jones wrote a lot of checks. Colby got a couple of hundred for a
+retaining fee and gleefully informed us it was more money than he had
+ever owned at one time in all his previous career. I think he will earn
+it, however."
+
+"Where is he now?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Visiting all the newspaper offices, to 'buy white space,' as he put it.
+In other words, Colby will bribe the press to silence, at least until
+the case develops."
+
+"I'm glad of that," exclaimed Beth. "What do you think of this queer
+business, Arthur?"
+
+"Why, I've no doubt of the boy's innocence, if that is what you mean.
+I've watched him closely and am positive he is no more Jack Andrews than
+I am. But I fear he will have a hard task to satisfy the judge that he is
+falsely accused. It would be an admission of error, you see, and so the
+judge will prefer to find him guilty. It is this same judge--Wilton, I
+think his name is--who will conduct the formal examination, and to-day he
+openly sneered at the mention of Sangoa. On the other hand, he evidently
+believed every statement made by Le Drieux about the identity of the
+pearls found in Jones' possession. Le Drieux has a printed list of the
+Ahmberg pearls, and was able to check the Jones' pearls off this list
+with a fair degree of accuracy. It astonished even me, and I could see
+that Jones was equally amazed."
+
+"Wouldn't it be queer if they convicted him!" exclaimed Beth.
+
+"It would be dreadful, since he is innocent," said Patsy.
+
+"There is no need to worry about that just at present," Arthur assured
+them. "I am placing a great deal of confidence in the ability of
+Lawyer Colby."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+DOUBTS AND DIFFICULTIES
+
+
+The Stanton girls and Mrs. Montrose came in early that afternoon. They
+had heard rumors of the arrest of Jones and were eager to learn what had
+occurred. Patsy and Beth followed them to their rooms to give them every
+known detail and canvass the situation in all its phases.
+
+"Goldstein has been an angel all afternoon," said Flo. "He grinned
+and capered about like a schoolboy and some of us guessed he'd been
+left a fortune."
+
+"He ought to be ashamed of himself." Patsy indignantly asserted. "The man
+admitted to Uncle John that Ajo is the biggest stockholder in the
+Continental, the president, to boot; yet Goldstein wouldn't lift a finger
+to help him and positively refused to obey his request to go to him after
+he was arrested."
+
+"I know about that," said Aunt Jane, quietly. "Goldstein talked to me
+about the affair this afternoon and declared his conviction that young
+Jones is really a pearl thief. He has taken a violent dislike to the boy
+and is delighted to think his stock will be taken away from him."
+
+Maud had silently listened to this dialogue as she dressed for dinner.
+But now she impetuously broke into the conversation, saying:
+
+"Something definite ought to be done for the boy. He needs intelligent
+assistance. I'm afraid his situation is serious."
+
+"That is what Arthur thinks," said Beth. "He says that unless he can
+furnish proof that he is not Jack Andrews, and that he came by those
+pearls honestly, he will be shipped to Austria for trial. No one knows
+what those foreigners will do to him, but he would probably fare badly
+in their hands."
+
+"Such being the logical conclusion," said Maud, "we must make our fight
+now, at the examination."
+
+"Uncle John has engaged a lawyer," announced Patsy, "and if he proves
+bright and intelligent he ought to be able to free Ajo."
+
+"I'd like to see that lawyer, and take his measure," answered Maud,
+musingly, and her wish was granted soon after they had finished dinner.
+Colby entered the hotel, jaunty as ever, and Arthur met him and
+introduced him to the girls.
+
+"You must forgive me for coming on a disagreeable mission," began the
+young attorney, "but I have promised the judge that I would produce all
+the pearls Mr. Jones gave you, not later than to-morrow morning. He wants
+them as evidence, and to compare privately with Le Drieux's list,
+although he will likely have the expert at his elbow. So I can't promise
+that you will ever get your jewels back again."
+
+"Oh. You think, then, that Mr. Jones is guilty?" said Maud coldly.
+
+"No, indeed; I believe he is innocent. A lawyer should never suspect his
+client, you know. But to win I must prove my case, and opposed to me is
+that terrible Le Drieux, who insists he is never mistaken."
+
+"Arthur--Mr. Weldon--says you understand pearls as well as Mr. Le Drieux
+does," suggested Patsy.
+
+"I thank him; but he is in error. I chattered to the judge about
+pearls, it is true, because I found he couldn't tell a pearl from a
+glass bead; and I believe I even perplexed Le Drieux by hinting at a
+broad knowledge on the subject which I do not possess. It was all a bit
+of bluff on my part. But by to-morrow morning this knowledge will be a
+fact, for I've bought a lot of books on pearls and intend to sit up all
+night reading them."
+
+"That was a clever idea," said Uncle John, nodding approval.
+
+"So my mission here this evening is to get the pearls, that I may study
+them as I read," continued Colby. "Heretofore I've only seen the things
+through a plate glass window, or a show case. The success of our defense
+depends upon our refuting Le Drieux's assertion that the pearls found in
+Jones' possession are a part of the Countess Ahmberg's collection. He has
+a full description of the stolen gems and I must be prepared to show
+that none of the Jones' pearls is on the list."
+
+"Can you do that?" asked Maud.
+
+She was gazing seriously into the young man's eyes and this caused him to
+blush and stammer a little as he replied:
+
+"I--I hope to, Miss Stanton."
+
+"And are you following no other line of defense?" she inquired.
+
+He sat back and regarded the girl curiously for a moment.
+
+"I would like you to suggest some other line of defense," he replied.
+"I've tried to find one--and failed."
+
+"Can't you prove he is not Jack Andrews?"
+
+"Not if the identity of the pearls is established," said the lawyer. "If
+the pearls were stolen, and if Jones cannot explain how he obtained
+possession of them, the evidence is _prima facia_ that he _is_ Jack
+Andrews, or at least his accomplice. Moreover, his likeness to the
+photograph is somewhat bewildering, you must admit."
+
+This gloomy view made them all silent for a time, each thoughtfully
+considering the matter. Then Maud asked:
+
+"Do you know the cash value of Mr. Jones' stock in the Continental
+Film Company?"
+
+Colby shook his head, but Uncle John replied:
+
+"Goldstein told me it is worth millions."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed the girl. "There, then, is our proof."
+
+The lawyer reflected, with knitted brows.
+
+"I confess I don't quite see your point," said he.
+
+"How much were those stolen pearls worth?" asked the girl.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"You know they were not worth millions. Jack Andrews was an adventurer,
+by Le Drieux's showing; he was a fellow who lived by his wits and
+generally earned his livelihood by gambling with the scions of wealthy
+families. Even had he stolen the Countess' pearls and disposed of the
+collection at enormous prices--which a thief is usually unable to do--he
+would still have been utterly unable to purchase a controlling interest
+in the Continental stock."
+
+She spoke with quiet assurance, but her statement roused the group to
+sudden excitement.
+
+"Hooray!" cried Patsy. "There's your proof, Mr. Colby."
+
+"The logic of genius," commented Uncle John.
+
+"Why, it's proof positive!" said Beth.
+
+"It is certainly a strong argument in favor of the boy's innocence,"
+asserted Arthur Weldon.
+
+"Maud's a wonder when she wakes up. She ought to have been a 'lady
+detective,'" remarked Flo, regarding her sister admiringly.
+
+Colby, at first startled, was now also regarding Maud Stanton with open
+admiration; but there was an odd smile on his lips, a smile of indulgent
+toleration.
+
+"Le Drieux's statement connects Andrews with two other pearl robberies,"
+he reminded her. "The necklace of the Princess Lemoine is said to be
+priceless, and the Grandison collection stolen in London was scarcely
+less valuable than that of Countess Ahmberg."
+
+"Allowing all that," said Mr. Merrick, "two or three hundred thousand
+dollars would doubtless cover the value of the entire lot. I am quite
+certain, Mr. Colby, that Miss Stanton's suggestion will afford you an
+excellent line of defense."
+
+"I shall not neglect it, you may be sure," replied the lawyer. "Tonight
+I'll try to figure out, as nearly as possible, the total cash value of
+all the stolen pearls, and of course Jones will tell us what he paid
+for his stock, or how much it is worth. But I am not sure this argument
+will have as much weight as Miss Stanton suggests it may. A bold
+gambler, such as Andrews, might have obtained a huge sum at Baden Baden
+or Monte Carlo; and, were he indeed so clever a thief as his record
+indicates, he may have robbed a bank, or stolen in some way an immense
+sum of money. Logically, the question has weight and I shall present it
+as effectively as I can; but, as I said, I rely more on my ability to
+disprove the identity of the pearls, on which the expert Le Drieux lays
+so much stress. Jones will have a thorough and formal examination
+within a few days--perhaps to-morrow--and if the judge considers that
+Andrews the pearl thief has been captured, he will be held here pending
+the arrival from Washington of the extradition papers--say two or
+three weeks longer."
+
+"Then we shall have all that time to prove his innocence?" inquired Maud.
+
+"Unfortunately, no. There will be no further trial of the prisoner until
+he gets to Vienna and is delivered to the authorities there. All our work
+must be done previous to the formal examination."
+
+"You do not seem very hopeful," observed Maud, a hint of reproach
+in her tone.
+
+"Then appearances are against me, Miss Stanton," replied the lawyer with
+a smile. "This is my first important case, and if I win it my future is
+assured; so I mean to win. But in order to do that I must consider the
+charge of the prosecution, the effect of its arguments upon the judge,
+and then find the right means to combat them. When I am with you, the
+friends of the accused, I may consider the seamy side of the fabric; but
+the presiding judge will find me so sure of my position that he will
+instinctively agree with me."
+
+They brought him the pearls Jones had presented to them and then the
+lawyer bade them good night and went to his office to master the history
+of pearls in general and those famous ones stolen from Countess Ahmberg
+in particular.
+
+When he had gone Uncle John remarked:
+
+"Well, what do you think of him?"
+
+They seemed in doubt.
+
+"I think he will do all he can," said Patsy.
+
+"And he appears quite a clever young man," added Beth, as if to
+encourage them.
+
+"Allowing all that," said Maud, gravely, "he has warned us of the
+possibility of failure. I cannot understand how the coils of evidence
+have wrapped themselves so tightly around poor Ajo."
+
+"That," asserted Flo, "is because you cannot understand Ajo himself. Nor
+can I; nor can any of us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+MAUD MAKES A MEMORANDUM
+
+
+My mother used to say to me: "Never expect to find brains in a pretty
+girl." Perhaps she said it because I was not a pretty girl and she
+wished to encourage me. In any event, that absurd notion of the ancients
+that when the fairies bestow the gift of beauty on a baby they withhold
+all other qualities has so often been disproved that we may well
+disregard it.
+
+Maud Stanton was a pretty girl--indeed, a beautiful girl--but she
+possessed brains as well as beauty and used her intellect to advantage
+more often than her quiet demeanor would indicate to others than her most
+intimate associates. From the first she had been impressed by the notion
+that there was something mysterious about A. Jones and that his romantic
+explanation of his former life and present position was intended to hide
+a truth that would embarrass him, were it fully known. Therefore she had
+secretly observed the young man, at such times as they were together, and
+had treasured every careless remark he had made--every admission or
+assertion--and made a note of it. The boy's arrest had startled her
+because it was so unexpected, and her first impulse was to doubt his
+innocence. Later, however, she had thoroughly reviewed the notes she had
+made and decided he was innocent.
+
+In the quiet of her own room, when she was supposed to be asleep, Maud
+got out her notebook and read therein again the review of all she had
+learned concerning A. Jones of Sangoa.
+
+"For a boy, he has a good knowledge of business; for a foreigner, he has
+an excellent conception of modern American methods," she murmured
+thoughtfully. "He is simple in little things; shrewd, if not wise, in
+important matters. He proved this by purchasing the control of the
+Continental, for its shares pay enormous dividends.
+
+"Had he stolen those pearls, I am sure he would have been too shrewd to
+have given a portion of them to us, knowing we would display them openly
+and so attract attention to them. A thief so ingenious as Andrews, for
+instance, would never have done so foolish a thing as that, I am
+positive. Therefore, Jones is not Andrews.
+
+"Now, to account for the likeness between Andrews, an American
+adventurer, and Jones, reared and educated in the mysterious island of
+Sangoa. Ajo's father must have left some near relatives in this country
+when he became a recluse in his far-away island. Why did he become a
+recluse? That's a subject I must consider carefully, for he was a man of
+money, a man of science, a man of affairs. Jones has told us he has no
+relatives here. He may have spoken honestly, if his father kept him in
+ignorance of the family history. I'm not going to jump at the conclusion
+that the man who calls himself Jack Andrews is a near relative of our
+Ajo--a cousin, perhaps--but I'll not forget that that might explain the
+likeness between them.
+
+"Ajo's father must have amassed a great fortune, during many years, from
+his pearl fisheries. That would explain why the boy has so much money at
+his disposal. He didn't get it from the sale of stolen pearls, that is
+certain. In addition to the money he invested in the Continental, he has
+enough in reserve to expend another million or so in Patsy Doyle's motion
+picture scheme, and he says he can spare it easily and have plenty left!
+This, in my opinion, is a stronger proof of Jones' innocence than Lawyer
+Colby seems to consider it. To me, it is conclusive.
+
+"Now, then, where is Sangoa? How can one get to the island? And,
+finally, how did Jones get here from Sangoa and how is he to return, if
+he ever wants to go back to his valuable pearl fisheries, his people and
+his home?"
+
+She strove earnestly to answer these questions, but could not with her
+present knowledge. So she tucked the notebook into a drawer of her desk,
+put out her light and got into bed.
+
+But sleep would not come to her. The interest she took in the fate of
+young Jones was quite impersonal. She liked the boy in the same way she
+had liked dozens of boys. The fact that she had been of material
+assistance in saving his life aroused no especial tenderness in her. On
+his own account, however, Jones was interesting to her because he was so
+unusual. The complications that now beset him added to this interest
+because they were so curious and difficult to explain. Maud had the
+feeling that she had encountered a puzzle to tax her best talents, and so
+she wanted to solve it.
+
+Suddenly she bounded out of bed and turned on the electric light. The
+notebook was again brought into requisition and she penciled on its pages
+the following words:
+
+"What was the exact date that Jack Andrews landed in America? What
+was the exact date that Ajo landed from Sangoa? The first question
+may be easily answered, for doubtless the police have the record.
+But--the other?"
+
+Then she replaced the book, put out the light and went to sleep
+very easily.
+
+That last thought, now jotted down in black and white, had effectually
+cleared her mind of its cobwebs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A GIRLISH NOTION
+
+
+Colby came around next morning just as Mr. Merrick was entering the
+breakfast room, and the little man took the lawyer in to have a cup of
+coffee. The young attorney still maintained his jaunty air, although
+red-eyed from his night's vigil, and when he saw the Stanton girls and
+their Aunt Jane having breakfast by an open window he eagerly begged
+permission to join them, somewhat to Uncle John's amusement.
+
+"Well?" demanded Maud, reading Colby's face with her clear eyes.
+
+"I made a night of it, as I promised," said he. "This morning I know so
+much about pearls that I'm tempted to go into the business."
+
+"As Jack Andrews did?" inquired Flo.
+
+"Not exactly," he answered with a smile. "But it's an interesting
+subject--so interesting that I only abandoned my reading when I found I
+was burning my electric lamp by daylight. Listen: A pearl is nothing more
+or less than nacre, a fluid secretion of a certain variety of oyster--not
+the eatable kind. A grain of sand gets between the folds of the oyster
+and its shell and irritates the beast. In self-defense the oyster covers
+the sand with a fluid which hardens and forms a pearl."
+
+"I've always known that," said Flo, with a toss of her head.
+
+"Yes; but I want you all to bear it in mind, for it will explain a
+discovery I have made. Before I get to that, however, I want to say that
+at one time the island of Ceylon supplied the world with its most famous
+pearls. The early Egyptians discovered them there, as well as on the
+Persian and Indian coasts. The pearl which Cleopatra is said to have
+dissolved in wine and swallowed was worth about four hundred thousand
+dollars in our money; but of course pearls were scarce in her day. A
+single pearl was cut in two and used for earrings for the statue of Venus
+in the Pantheon at Rome, and the sum paid for it was equal to about a
+quarter of a million dollars. Sir Thomas Gresham, in the days of Queen
+Elizabeth, had a pearl valued at about seventy-five thousand dollars
+which he treated in the same manner Cleopatra did, dissolving it in wine
+and boasting he had given the most expensive dinner ever known."
+
+"All of which--" began Maud, impatiently.
+
+"All of which, Miss Stanton, goes to show that pearls have been of great
+price since the beginning of history. Nowadays we get just as valuable
+pearls from the South Seas, and even from Panama, St. Margarita and the
+Caromandel Coast, as ever came from Ceylon. But only those of rare size,
+shape or color are now valued at high prices. For instance, a string of
+matched pearls such as that owned by Princess Lemoine is estimated as
+worth only eighty thousand dollars, because it could be quite easily
+duplicated. The collection of Countess Ahmberg was noted for its variety
+of shapes and colors more than for its large or costly pearls; and that
+leads to my great discovery."
+
+"Thank heaven," said Flo, with a sigh.
+
+"I have discovered that our famous expert. Le Drieux, is an
+arrant humbug."
+
+"We had suspected that," remarked Maud.
+
+"Now we know it," declared Colby. "Pearls, I have learned, change their
+color, their degree of luster, even their weight, according to
+atmospheric conditions and location. A ten-penny-weight pearl in Vienna
+might weigh eight or nine pennyweights here in California, or it is more
+likely to weigh twelve. The things absorb certain moistures and chemicals
+from the air and sun, and shed those absorptions when kept in darkness or
+from the fresh air. Pearls die, so to speak; but are often restored to
+life by immersions in sea-water, their native element. As for color: the
+pink and blue pearls often grow white, at times, especially if kept long
+in darkness, but sun-baths restore their former tints. In the same way a
+white pearl, if placed near the fumes of ammonia, changes to a pinkish
+hue, while certain combinations of chemicals render them black, or
+'smoked.' A clever man could steal a pink pearl, bleach it white, and
+sell it to its former owner without its being recognized. Therefore, when
+our expert, Le Drieux, attempts to show that the pearls found in Jones'
+possession are identical with those stolen from the Austrian lady, he
+fails to allow for climatic or other changes and cannot be accurate
+enough to convince anyone who knows the versatile characteristics of
+these gems."
+
+"Ah, but does the judge know that, Mr. Colby?" asked Maud.
+
+"I shall post him. After that, the conviction of the prisoner will be
+impossible."
+
+"Do you think the examination will be held to-day?" inquired Mr. Merrick.
+
+"I cannot tell that. It will depend upon the mood of Judge Wilton. If he
+feels grouchy or disagreeable, he is liable to postpone the case. If he
+is in good spirits and wants to clear his docket he may begin the
+examination at ten o'clock, to-day, which is the hour set for it."
+
+"Is your evidence ready, Mr. Colby?"
+
+"Such as I can command, Miss Stanton," he replied. "Last evening I wired
+New York for information as to the exact amount of stock Jones owns in
+the Continental, and I got a curious reply. The stock is valued at
+nineteen hundred thousand dollars, but no one believes that Jones owns
+it personally. It is generally thought that for politic reasons the young
+man was made the holder of stock for several different parties, who still
+own it, although it is in Jones' name. The control of stock without
+ownership is not unusual. It gives the real owners an opportunity to hide
+behind their catspaw, who simply obeys their instructions."
+
+"I do not believe that Jones is connected with anyone in that manner,"
+said Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Nor do I," asserted Aunt Jane. "His interference with Goldstein's plans
+proves he is under no obligations to others, for he has acted
+arbitrarily, in accordance with his personal desires and against the
+financial interests of the concern."
+
+"Why didn't you ask him about this, instead of wiring to New York?"
+demanded Maud.
+
+"He might not give us exact information, under the circumstances,"
+said Colby.
+
+The girl frowned.
+
+"Jones is not an ordinary client," continued the lawyer, coolly. "He
+won't tell me anything about himself, or give me what is known as
+'inside information.' On the contrary, he contents himself with saying
+he is innocent and I must prove it. I'm going to save the young man, but
+I'm not looking to him for much assistance."
+
+Maud still frowned. Presently she said:
+
+"I want to see Mr. Jones. Can you arrange an interview for me, sir?"
+
+"Of course. You'd better go into town with me this morning. If the
+examination is held, you will see Jones then. If it's postponed, you may
+visit him in the jail."
+
+Maud reflected a moment.
+
+"Very well," said she, "I'll go with you." Then, turning to her aunt, she
+continued: "You must make my excuses to Mr. Goldstein, Aunt Jane."
+
+Mrs. Montrose eyed her niece critically.
+
+"Who will accompany you, Maud?" she asked.
+
+"Why, I'll go," said Patsy Doyle; and so it was settled, Uncle John
+agreeing to escort the young ladies and see them safely home again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE YACHT "ARABELLA"
+
+
+As the party drove into town Colby said:
+
+"It wouldn't be a bad idea for Jones to bribe that fellow Le Drieux. If
+Le Drieux, who holds a warrant for the arrest of Jack Andrews, issued by
+the Austrian government and vised in Washington, could be won to our
+side, the whole charge against our friend might be speedily dissolved."
+
+"Disgraceful!" snapped Maud indignantly. "I am positive Mr. Jones would
+not consider such a proposition."
+
+"Diplomatic, not disgraceful," commented the lawyer, smiling at her. "Why
+should Jones refuse to consider bribery?"
+
+"To use money to defeat justice would be a crime as despicable as
+stealing pearls," she said.
+
+"Dear me!" muttered Colby, with a puzzled frown. "What a queer way to
+look at it. Le Drieux has already been bribed, by a liberal reward, to
+run down a supposed criminal. If we bribe him with a larger sum to give
+up the pursuit of Jones, whom we believe innocent, we are merely
+defending ourselves from a possible injustice which may be brought about
+by an error of judgment."
+
+"Isn't this judge both able and honest?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Wilton? Well, possibly. His ability consists in his knowledge of law,
+rather than of men and affairs. He believes himself honest, I suppose,
+but I'll venture to predict he will act upon prejudice and an assumption
+of personal dignity, rather than attempt to discover if his personal
+impressions correspond with justice. A judge, Mr. Merrick, is a mere
+man, with all the average man's failings; so we must expect him to be
+quite human."
+
+"Never mind," said Patsy resignedly. "Perhaps we shall find him a better
+judge than you are lawyer."
+
+"He has had more experience, anyhow," said Colby, much amused at the
+shot.
+
+They found, on arriving at court, that the case had already been
+postponed. They drove to the jail and obtained permission to see the
+prisoner, who was incarcerated under the name of "Jack Andrews, alias A.
+Jones." Maud would have liked a private audience, but the lawyer was
+present as well as Patsy and Mr. Merrick, and she did not like to ask
+them to go away.
+
+The boy greeted them with his old frank smile and did not seem in the
+least oppressed by the fact that he was a prisoner accused of an ugly
+crime. The interview was held in a parlor of the jail, a guard standing
+by the door but discreetly keeping out of earshot.
+
+Colby first informed the boy of the postponement of his formal
+examination and then submitted to his client an outline of the defense he
+had planned. Jones listened quietly and shook his head.
+
+"Is that the best you can do for me?"
+
+"With my present knowledge, yes," returned the lawyer.
+
+"And will it clear me from this suspicion?" was the next question.
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"You are not sure?"
+
+"This is an extraordinary case, Mr. Jones. Your friends all believe you
+innocent, but the judge wants facts--cold, hard facts--and only these
+will influence him. Mr. Le Drieux, commissioned by the Austrian
+government, states that you are Jack Andrews, and have escaped to America
+after having stolen the pearls of a noble Viennese lady. He will offer,
+as evidence to prove his assertion, the photograph and the pearls. You
+must refute this charge with counter-evidence, in order to escape
+extradition and a journey to the country where the crime was committed.
+There you will be granted a regular trial, to be sure, but even if you
+then secure an acquittal you will have suffered many indignities and your
+good name will be permanently tarnished."
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"I shall work unceasingly to secure your release at the examination. But
+I wish I had some stronger evidence to offer in rebuttal."
+
+"Go ahead and do your best," said the boy, nonchalantly. "I will abide
+by the result, whatever it may be."
+
+"May I ask a few questions?" Maud timidly inquired.
+
+He turned to her with an air of relief.
+
+"Most certainly you may, Miss Stanton."
+
+"And you will answer them?"
+
+"I pledge myself to do so, if I am able."
+
+"Thank you," she said. "I am not going to interfere with Mr. Colby's
+plans, but I'd like to help you on my own account, if I may."
+
+He gave her a quick look, at once grateful, suspicious and amused.
+Then he said:
+
+"Clear out, Colby. I'm sure you have a hundred things to attend to, and
+when you're gone I'll have a little talk with Miss Stanton."
+
+The lawyer hesitated.
+
+"If this conversation is likely to affect your case," he began, "then--"
+
+"Then Miss Stanton will give you any information she may acquire,"
+interrupted Jones, and that left Colby no alternative but to go away.
+
+"Now, then, Miss Stanton, out with it!" said the boy.
+
+"There are a lot of things we don't know, but ought to know, in order to
+defend you properly," she observed, looking at him earnestly.
+
+"Question me, then."
+
+"I want to know the exact date when you landed in this country
+from Sangoa."
+
+"Let me see. It was the twelfth day of October, of last year."
+
+"Oh! so long ago as that? It is fifteen months. Once you told us that you
+had been here about a year."
+
+"I didn't stop to count the months, you see. The twelfth of October
+is correct."
+
+"Where did you land?"
+
+"At San Francisco."
+
+"Direct from Sangoa?"
+
+"Direct from Sangoa."
+
+"And what brought you from Sangoa to San Francisco?"
+
+"A boat."
+
+"A sailing-ship?"
+
+"No, a large yacht. Two thousand tons burden."
+
+"Whose yacht was it?"
+
+"Mine."
+
+"Then where is it now?"
+
+He reflected a moment.
+
+"I think Captain Carg must be anchored at San Pedro, by now. Or perhaps
+he is at Long Beach, or Santa Monica," he said quietly.
+
+"On this coast!" exclaimed Maud.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Patsy was all excitement by now and could no longer hold her tongue.
+
+"Is the yacht _Arabella_ yours?" she demanded.
+
+"It is, Miss Patsy."
+
+"Then it is lying off Santa Monica Bay. I've seen it!" she cried.
+
+"It was named for my mother," said the boy, his voice softening, "and
+built by my father. In the _Arabella_ I made my first voyage; so you will
+realize I am very fond of the little craft."
+
+Maud was busily thinking.
+
+"Is Captain Carg a Sangoan?" she asked.
+
+"Of course. The entire crew are Sangoans."
+
+"Then where has the yacht been since it landed you here fifteen
+months ago?"
+
+"It returned at once to the island, and at my request has now made
+another voyage to America."
+
+"It has been here several days."
+
+"Quite likely."
+
+"Has it brought more pearls from Sangoa?"
+
+"Perhaps. I do not know, for I have not yet asked for the captain's
+report."
+
+Both Uncle John and Patsy were amazed at the rapidity with which Maud was
+acquiring information of a really important character. Indeed, she was
+herself surprised and the boy's answers were already clearing away some
+of the mists. She stared at him thoughtfully as she considered her next
+question, and Jones seemed to grow thoughtful, too.
+
+"I have no desire to worry my friends over my peculiar difficulties," he
+presently said. "Frankly, I am not in the least worried myself. The
+charge against me is so preposterous that I am sure to be released after
+the judge has examined me; and, even at the worst--if I were sent to
+Vienna for trial--the Austrians would know very well that I am not the
+man they seek."
+
+"That trip would cause you great inconvenience, however," suggested
+Mr. Merrick.
+
+"I am told a prisoner is treated very well, if he is willing to pay for
+such consideration," said Jones.
+
+"And your good name?" asked Maud, with a touch of impatience.
+
+"My good name is precious only to me, and I know it is still untarnished.
+For your sake, my newly found friends, I would like the world to believe
+in me, but there is none save you to suffer through my disgrace, and you
+may easily ignore my acquaintance."
+
+"What nonsense!" cried Patsy, scornfully. "Tell me, sir, what's to become
+of our grand motion picture enterprise, if you allow yourself to be
+shipped to Vienna as a captured thief?"
+
+He winced a trifle at the blunt epithet but quickly recovered and
+smiled at her.
+
+"I'm sorry, Miss Patsy," said he. "I know you will be disappointed if our
+enterprise is abandoned. So will I. Since this latest complication arose
+I fear I have not given our project the consideration it deserves."
+
+The boy passed his hand wearily across his forehead and, rising from his
+seat, took a few nervous steps up and down the room. Then, pausing, he
+asked abruptly:
+
+"Are you still inclined to be my champion, Miss Stanton?"
+
+"If I can be of any help," she replied, simply.
+
+"Then I wish you would visit the yacht, make the acquaintance of Captain
+Carg and tell him of the trouble I am in. Will you?"
+
+"With pleasure. That is--I'll be glad to do your errand."
+
+"I'll give you a letter to him," he continued, and turning to the
+attendant he asked for writing material, which was promptly furnished
+him. At the table he wrote a brief note and enclosed it in an envelope
+which he handed to Maud.
+
+"You will find the captain a splendid old fellow," said he.
+
+"Will he answer any questions I may ask him?" she demanded.
+
+"That will depend upon your questions," he answered evasively. "Carg is
+considered a bit taciturn, I believe, but he has my best interests at
+heart and you will find him ready to serve me in any possible way."
+
+"Is there any objection to my going with Maud?" asked Patsy. "I'd like to
+visit that yacht; it looks so beautiful from a distance."
+
+"You may all go, if you wish," said he. "It might be well for Mr. Merrick
+to meet Captain Carg, who would prefer, I am sure, to discuss so delicate
+a matter as my arrest with a man. Not that he is ungallant, but with a
+man such as Mr. Merrick he would be more at his ease. Carg is a sailor,
+rather blunt and rugged, both in speech and demeanor, but wholly devoted
+to me because I am at present _the_ Jones of Sangoa."
+
+"I'll accompany the girls, of course," said Uncle John; "and I think we
+ought not to delay in seeing your man. Colby says you may be called for
+examination at any time."
+
+"There is one more question I want to ask," announced Maud as they rose
+to go. "On what date did you reach New York, after landing at San
+Francisco?"
+
+"Why, it must have been some time in last January. I know it was soon
+after Christmas, which I passed in Chicago."
+
+"Is that as near as you can recollect the date?"
+
+"Yes, at short notice."
+
+"Then perhaps you can tell me the date you took possession of the
+Continental Film Company by entering the stockholders' meeting and
+ejecting yourself president?"
+
+He seemed surprised at her information and the question drew from him an
+odd laugh.
+
+"How did you learn about that incident?" he asked.
+
+"Goldstein told Mr. Merrick. He said it was a coup d'etat."
+
+The boy laughed again.
+
+"It was really funny," said he. "Old Bingley, the last president, had no
+inkling that I controlled the stock. He was so sure of being reelected
+that he had a camera-man on hand to make a motion picture of the scene
+where all would hail him as the chief. The picture was taken, but it
+didn't interest Bingley any, for it showed the consternation on his face,
+and the faces of his favored coterie, when I rose and calmly voted him
+out of office with the majority of the stock."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Maud. "There was a picture made of that scene, then?"
+
+"To be sure. It was never shown but once to an audience of one. I sat
+and chuckled to myself while the film was being run."
+
+"Was it kept, or destroyed?" asked the girl, breathlessly.
+
+"I ordered it preserved amongst our archives. Probably Goldstein now has
+the negative out here, stored in our Hollywood vaults."
+
+"And the date--when was it?" she demanded.
+
+"Why, the annual meeting is always the last Thursday in January. Figure
+it out--it must have been the twenty-sixth. But is the exact date
+important, Miss Stanton?"
+
+"Very," she announced. "I don't know yet the exact date that Andrews
+landed in New York on his return from Vienna, but if it happened to be
+later than the twenty-sixth of January--"
+
+"I see. In that case the picture will clear me of suspicion."
+
+"Precisely. I shall now go and wire New York for the information I
+need."
+
+"Can't you get it of Le Drieux?" asked the young man.
+
+"Perhaps so; I'll try. But it will be better to get the date from the
+steamship agent direct."
+
+With this they shook the boy's hand, assuring him of their sympathy and
+their keen desire to aid him, and then hurried away from the jail.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+MASCULINE AND FEMININE
+
+
+Uncle John and the girls, after consulting together, decided to stop at
+the Hollywood studio and pick up Flo and Mrs. Montrose.
+
+"It would be a shame to visit that lovely yacht without them," said
+Patsy; "and we were all invited, you know."
+
+"Yes, invited by a host who is unavoidably detained elsewhere," added
+Uncle John.
+
+"Still, that yacht is very exclusive," his niece stated, "and I'm sure we
+are the first Americans to step foot on its decks."
+
+They were all in a brighter mood since the interview at the jail, and
+after a hurried lunch at the hotel, during which Maud related to the
+others the morning's occurrences, they boarded the big Merrick
+seven-passenger automobile and drove to Santa Monica Bay. Louise couldn't
+leave the baby, who was cutting teeth, but Arthur and Beth joined the
+party and on arrival at the beach Uncle John had no difficulty in
+securing a launch to take them out to the _Arabella_.
+
+"They won't let you aboard, though," declared the boatman. "A good
+many have tried it, an' come back disjointed. There's something queer
+about that craft; but the gov'ment don't seem worried, so I guess it
+ain't a pirate."
+
+The beauty of the yacht grew on them as they approached it. It was
+painted a pure white in every part and on the stern was the one word:
+_Arabella_, but no name of the port from which she hailed. The ladder was
+hoisted and fastened to an upper rail, but as they drew up to the smooth
+sides a close-cropped bullet-head projected from the bulwarks and a gruff
+voice demanded:
+
+"Well, what's wanted?"
+
+"We want to see Captain Carg," called Arthur, in reply.
+
+The head wagged sidewise.
+
+"No one allowed aboard," said the man.
+
+"Here's a letter to the captain, from Mr. Jones," said Maud,
+exhibiting it.
+
+The word seemed magical. Immediately the head disappeared and an instant
+later the boarding ladder began to descend. But the man, a sub-officer
+dressed in a neat uniform of white and gold, came quickly down the steps
+and held out his hand for the letter.
+
+"Beg pardon," said he, touching his cap to the ladies, "but the rules are
+very strict aboard the _Arabella_. Will you please wait until I've taken
+this to the captain? Thank you!"
+
+Then he ran lightly up the steps and they remained seated in the launch
+until he returned.
+
+"The captain begs you to come aboard," he then said, speaking very
+respectfully but with a face that betrayed his wonder at the order of his
+superior. Then he escorted them up the side to the deck, which was
+marvelously neat and attractive. Some half a dozen sailors lounged here
+and there and these stared as wonderingly at the invasion of strangers as
+the subaltern had done. But their guide did not pause longer than to see
+that they had all reached the deck safely, when he led them into a
+spacious cabin.
+
+Here they faced Captain Carg, whom Patsy afterward declared was the
+tallest, thinnest, chilliest man she had ever encountered. His hair was
+grizzled and hung low on his neck; his chin was very long and ended in a
+point; his nose was broad, with sensitive nostrils that marked every
+breath he drew. As for his eyes, which instantly attracted attention,
+they were brown and gentle as a girl's but had that retrospective
+expression that suggests far-away thoughts or an utter lack of interest
+in one's surroundings. They never looked at but through one. The effect
+of Carg's eyes was distinctly disconcerting.
+
+The commander of the _Arabella_ bowed with much dignity as his guests
+entered and with a sweep of his long arm he muttered in distant tones:
+"Pray be seated." They obeyed. The cabin was luxuriously furnished and
+there was no lack of comfortable chairs.
+
+Somehow, despite the courteous words and attitude of Captain Carg, there
+was something about him that repelled confidence. Already Maud and Patsy
+were wondering if such a man could be loyal and true.
+
+"My young master," he was saying, as he glanced at the letter he still
+held in his hand, "tells me that any questions you may ask I may answer
+as freely as I am permitted to."
+
+"What does that mean, sir?" Maud inquired, for the speech was quite
+ambiguous.
+
+"That I await your queries, Miss," with another perfunctory bow in her
+direction.
+
+She hesitated, puzzled how to proceed.
+
+"Mr. Jones is in a little trouble," she finally began. "He has been
+mistaken for some other man and--they have put him in jail until he can
+be examined by the federal judge of this district."
+
+The captain's face exhibited no expression whatever. Even the eyes
+failed to express surprise at her startling news. He faced his visitors
+without emotion.
+
+"At the examination," Maud went on, "it will be necessary for him to
+prove he is from Sangoa."
+
+No reply. The captain sat like a statue.
+
+"He must also prove that certain pearls found in his possession came
+from Sangoa."
+
+Still no reply. Maud began to falter and fidget. Beth was amused.
+Patsy was fast growing indignant. Flo had a queer expression on her
+pretty face that denoted mischief to such an extent that it alarmed
+her Aunt Jane.
+
+"I'm afraid," said Maud, "that unless you come to your master's
+assistance, Captain Carg, he will be sent to Austria, a prisoner charged
+with a serious crime."
+
+She meant this assertion to be very impressive, but it did not seem to
+affect the man in the least. She sighed, and Flo, with a giggle, broke an
+awkward pause.
+
+"Well, why don't you get busy. Maud?" she asked.
+
+"I--in what way, Flo?" asked her sister, catching at the suggestion
+implied.
+
+"Captain Carg would make a splendid motion picture actor," declared the
+younger Miss Stanton, audaciously. "He sticks close to his cues, you see,
+and won't move till he gets one. He will answer your questions; yes, he
+has said he would; but you may prattle until doomsday without effect, so
+far as he is concerned, unless you finish your speech with an
+interrogation point."
+
+Mrs. Montrose gave a gasp of dismay, while Maud flushed painfully. The
+captain, however, allowed a gleam of admiration to soften his grim
+features as he stared fixedly at saucy Flo. Patsy marked this fleeting
+change of expression at once and said hastily:
+
+"I think. Maud, dear, the captain is waiting to be questioned."
+
+At this he cast a grateful look in Miss Doyle's direction and bowed to
+her. Maud began to appreciate the peculiar situation and marshalled her
+questions in orderly array.
+
+"Tell me, please, where _is_ Sangoa?" she began.
+
+"In the South Seas, Miss."
+
+"Will you give me the latitude and longitude?"
+
+"I cannot."
+
+"Oh, you mean that you _will_ not?"
+
+"I have been commanded to forget the latitude and longitude of Sangoa."
+
+"But this is folly!" she exclaimed, much annoyed. "Such absurd reticence
+may be fatal to Mr. Jones' interests."
+
+He made no reply to this and after reflection she tried again.
+
+"What is the nearest land to Sangoa?"
+
+"Toerdal," said he.
+
+"What is that, an island?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is it on the maps? Is it charted?"
+
+"No, Miss."
+
+She silenced Flo's aggravating giggle with a frown.
+
+"Tell me, sir," she continued, "what is the nearest land to Sangoa that
+is known to the world?"
+
+He smiled faintly as he replied: "I cannot tell."
+
+Uncle John had grown very uneasy by this time and he decided he ought to
+attempt to assist Maud. So, addressing Captain Carg, he said in a
+positive tone:
+
+"We quite understand, sir, that it has been the policy of the owners of
+Sangoa to guard all knowledge of the island's whereabouts from the
+outside world, as well as the fact that its pearl fisheries are very
+rich. We understand that an influx of treasure-seekers would embarrass
+the Sangoans. But we are close friends of young Mr. Jones and have no
+desire to usurp his island kingdom or seize his pearls. Our only anxiety
+is to free him from an unjust suspicion. A foolish man named Le Drieux
+accuses Jones of stealing a choice collection of pearls from a lady in
+Austria and fleeing with them to America. He has a photograph of the real
+criminal, taken abroad, which curiously resembles your young master."
+
+Here the captain turned a quick look upon the speaker and for the first
+time his eyes lost their dull expression. But he made no remark and Uncle
+John continued:
+
+"This man Le Drieux found several choice pearls in the possession of Mr.
+Jones, which he claims are a part of the stolen collection. Hence he
+obtained your master's arrest. Jones says he brought the pearls from
+Sangoa, his home, where they were found. No one here knows anything of
+Sangoa, so they regard his story with suspicion. Now, sir, we believe
+that through you we can prove he has told the truth, and so secure his
+release. Here is the important question: Will you help us?"
+
+"Willingly, sir," replied the captain.
+
+"Are you forbidden to tell us where Sangoa is, or anything about
+the island?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I am forbidden to do that, under any circumstances," was the
+ready answer.
+
+"Have you been to Sangoa since you landed Mr. Jones in San Francisco,
+some fifteen months ago?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And did you bring back with you, on this trip, any pearls?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Have you already disposed of them?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I am awaiting orders from my master."
+
+"Has he been aboard since you anchored here?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"What were your instructions?"
+
+"To anchor on this coast and await his coming."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Merrick, reflectively, "I believe you can prove our case
+without telling the location of Sangoa. An exhibition of the pearls you
+have brought ought to convince any reasonable judge. Are there many of
+them in this lot?"
+
+"Not so many as usual, sir."
+
+"Are they very choice ones?"
+
+"Not so choice as usual, sir."
+
+Uncle John was greatly disappointed, but Maud exclaimed eagerly:
+
+"Let us see them, please!"
+
+That was not a question, but the captain rose at once, bowed and left the
+cabin. It was some ten minutes before he returned, followed by two men
+who bore between them a heavy bronze chest which they placed upon the
+cabin floor. Then they left the room and the captain took a key from his
+pocket and unlocked a secret panel in the wainscoting of the cabin. A
+small compartment was disclosed, in which hung another key on an iron
+hook. He removed this and with it unlocked the chest, drawing-from its
+recesses several trays which he deposited upon the table. These trays
+were lined and padded with white velvet and when the covers were removed,
+the girls, who had crowded around the table, uttered cries of
+astonishment and delight.
+
+"They may not be as numerous or as choice 'as usual,'" murmured
+Mrs. Montrose, "but they are the most amazing lot of pearls I have
+ever beheld."
+
+"And did all these come from Sangoa?" Maud asked the captain.
+
+"They represent two months' fishing on the coast of our island," he
+replied; "but not the best two months of the year. The weather was bad;
+there were many storms."
+
+"Why, the pearls that Ajo gave us were insignificant when compared with
+these!" cried Beth. "This collection must be worth an enormous sum.
+Uncle John."
+
+Uncle John merely nodded. He had been thinking, as he studied the pearls,
+and now turned to Captain Carg.
+
+"Will you come ashore and testify before the judge in behalf of
+your master?"
+
+"Yes, if he asks me to do so."
+
+"And will you bring these pearls with you?"
+
+"If my master orders it."
+
+"Very good. We will have him send you instructions."
+
+The captain bowed, after which he turned to the table and began replacing
+the trays in the chest. Then he locked it, again hung the key in the
+secret aperture and closed the panel. A whistle summoned the two seamen,
+who bore away the chest, accompanied by the captain in person.
+
+When they were left alone, Maud said anxiously:
+
+"Is there anything more we can do here?"
+
+"I think not," replied Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Then let us get back. I want to complete my evidence at once, for no one
+knows when the judge will summon Ajo for examination."
+
+They thanked the captain when he rejoined them, but he remained as silent
+and undemonstrative as ever, so they took their departure without further
+ceremony and returned to the shore.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE ADVANTAGE OF A DAY
+
+
+That evening Le Drieux appeared in the lobby of the hotel and sat himself
+comfortably down, as if his sole desire in life was to read the evening
+paper and smoke his after-dinner cigar. He cast a self-satisfied and
+rather supercilious glance in the direction of the Merrick party, which
+on this occasion included the Stantons and their aunt, but he made no
+attempt to approach the corner where they were seated.
+
+Maud, however, as soon as she saw Le Drieux, asked Arthur Weldon to
+interview the man and endeavor to obtain from him the exact date when
+Jack Andrews landed in New York. Uncle John had already wired to Major
+Doyle, Patsy's father, to get the steamship lists and find which boat
+Andrews had come on and the date of its arrival, but no answer had as yet
+been received.
+
+Arthur made a pretext of buying a cigar at the counter and then
+strolled aimlessly about until he came, as if by chance, near to where
+Le Drieux was sitting. Making a pretense of suddenly observing the man,
+he remarked casually:
+
+"Ah, good evening."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Weldon," replied Le Drieux, a note of ill-suppressed
+triumph in his voice.
+
+"I suppose you are now content to rest on your laurels, pending the
+formal examination?" said Arthur.
+
+"I am, sir. But the examination is a mere form, you know. I have already
+cabled the commissioner of police at Vienna and received a reply stating
+that the Austrian ambassador would make a prompt demand for extradition
+and the papers would be forwarded from Washington to the Austrian consul
+located in this city. The consul has also been instructed to render me
+aid in transporting the prisoner to Vienna. All this will require several
+days' time, so you see we are in no hurry to conclude the examination."
+
+"I see." said Arthur. "Is it, then, your intention to accompany the
+prisoner to Vienna?"
+
+"Of course. I have not mentioned the fact to you before, but I hold a
+commission from the Chief of Police of Vienna authorizing me to arrest
+Jack Andrews wherever I may find him, and deliver him up for trial. My
+firm procured for me this commission, as they are very anxious to recover
+the lost pearls."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well, to be frank, sir, the countess still owes our firm a large sum for
+purchases. She had almost her entire fortune tied up in that collection,
+and unless it is recovered--."
+
+"I can well appreciate the anxiety of your firm. But aside from that, Mr.
+Le Drieux, I suppose a big reward has been offered?"
+
+"Not big; just a fair amount. It will repay me, quite handsomely, for my
+trouble in this affair; but, of course, my firm gets half of the reward."
+
+"They are not too generous. You deserve it all."
+
+"Thank you. It has been an interesting episode, Mr. Weldon."
+
+"It has been more than that. I consider this escapade of Andrews quite a
+romance; or is it more of a tragedy, in your opinion?"
+
+"It will be a tragedy for Andrews, before he's through with it," replied
+Le Drieux grimly. "They're pretty severe on the long-fingered gentry,
+over there in Europe, and you must remember that if the fellow lives
+through the sentence they will undoubtedly impose upon him in Vienna, he
+has still to answer for the Paris robbery and the London murder. It's all
+up with Andrews, I guess; and it's a good thing, too, for he is too
+clever to remain at large."
+
+"I do not consider him so clever as his captor," said Arthur smoothly.
+"It did not take you long to discover where he had hidden. Why, he has
+only returned to America about fifteen months ago."
+
+"Eleven months ago--even less than that, I think," retorted Le Drieux,
+with much pride. "Let me see," taking out a notebook, "Andrews landed
+from the _Princess Irene_ on the twenty-seventh of January last."
+
+"Oh, the twenty-seventh? Are you sure of that?" said Arthur.
+
+"Of course."
+
+"I was under the impression he landed on the twenty-fifth."
+
+"No; you are wrong. Why, I met the boat myself, but missed him, although
+he was on the passenger list. He disembarked very slyly, I afterward
+learned, being doubtless afraid he would be arrested. But at that time I
+had no positive evidence against him."
+
+Arthur asked a few more questions of no importance and then bade Le
+Drieux good night and rejoined the girls.
+
+"You win, Maud," he remarked as he sat down. "That clew of yours was an
+inspiration. Andrews arrived in America on January twenty-seventh, just
+one day after Jones had a motion picture of himself taken at the
+stockholders' meeting of the Continental Film Company."
+
+"Then we needn't worry over Ajo any longer!" asserted Patsy joyfully.
+"With this evidence and the testimony of Captain Carg and his pearls, the
+most stupid judge on earth would declare the boy innocent. Why, Beth, we
+shall get our theatres built, after all!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+PICTURE NUMBER NINETEEN
+
+
+"Well, where have you been?" demanded Goldstein gruffly, as Maud Stanton
+entered his office the next morning in response to a summons from the
+Continental manager. "What made you run away yesterday? Don't you know
+such things make us lots of trouble and cost us money?"
+
+"I'm not worrying about that," replied Maud, as she composedly sat down
+opposite the manager.
+
+Goldstein glared at her, but he was cautious.
+
+"You're a fine actress, Miss Stanton, and you're popular on the films,"
+he said, "but if you cannot attend to business we are paying you too
+much money."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"No other firm could afford to give you so much, you know that; and the
+only reason we are so extravagant is because you are one of our
+features."
+
+"Am I to take this as a dismissal?" she asked carelessly.
+
+"Dismissal!" he cried, holding up his hands. "Of course not. Who is
+talking of dismissal? But I owe a duty to my firm. Such actions as yours,
+in running away from rehearsals, must have a--a--reprimand. Not severe; I
+am not so angry as grieved; but a reprimand is your due--and that
+fly-away sister of yours is just as bad."
+
+"We went to assist your president--Mr. Jones--to establish his innocence
+of the awful charge made against him," she explained.
+
+"Bah. You can't do that. No one can save him," he replied, with triumph
+and satisfaction mingled in his tone.
+
+She looked at him thoughtfully.
+
+"You seem pleased with the idea that he is guilty, Mr. Goldstein."
+
+"I am glad he is caught. What is Jones to me? An interloper! A boy who
+gets money, buys stock, and then interferes with a business he knows
+nothing about. You are a professional, Miss Stanton. You know how we, who
+are in the game, have won our knowledge of it by long experience, by
+careful study, by keeping the thousand threads of the rope of success
+twisted tightly together. Any fool could buy this business, but only an
+expert could run it successfully. You know that. So I am glad this
+interfering boy is wiped off the slate forever."
+
+"But he isn't!" she protested. "You still have this boy to reckon with,
+Goldstein. When he is examined by the judge he will be set free, for all
+the evidence is in his favor and there is ample proof that he is not the
+man they are after. And that reminds me. There is a negative here that
+was made at the directors' meeting in January, a year ago, which shows
+Mr. Jones taking control of the Continental."
+
+"I have never seen it," he said, shaking his head.
+
+"It is here, though, and I want a positive printed at once, and mounted
+on a reel, so it can be exhibited before the judge. Have Alfred get it
+out of the vault."
+
+"Why should I do that?" he inquired, frowning.
+
+"Because, if you refuse, Mr. Jones is quite likely to find another
+manager. No other firm would pay you so much as you are getting here. You
+know that."
+
+He grinned with delight at the thrust, then grew solemn.
+
+"You are sure he will go free?"
+
+"Positive," returned Maud. "He doesn't really need that film, but it
+would be good policy--excellent policy--for you to produce it."
+
+"Alfred!" called the manager. "Bring me the stock book."
+
+He ran his finger down the pages.
+
+"January--eh--eh--"
+
+"January twenty-sixth," she said.
+
+"Here it is: 'Special of Annual Meeting, C.F.M. Co.--280 feet.--No. 19,'
+Get number nineteen out of the vault, Alfred."
+
+While the young man was gone he relapsed into thought. Maud waited
+patiently.
+
+"You see," resumed the manager abruptly, "I am making more money for the
+Continental than I get paid for. That is because I know how. It is not
+good business to cut down the profits; therefore I should be paid a
+bigger salary. Miss Stanton, you're a friend of young Jones, who controls
+this company. Yon might talk to him about me."
+
+"I will," she said.
+
+"You might say I know every trick of the trade. Tell Jones how all the
+other film makers are crazy to get me. But say how I refuse more money
+because I believe our directors will wake up to my value and raise my
+salary. That sounds pretty good, eh?"
+
+"It sounds remarkable."
+
+"And it's no dream. Ah, here comes Alfred."
+
+The clerk laid upon the table a round box coated with paraffin to exclude
+the air. A tag was attached to the box, describing its contents.
+
+"Number nineteen. Quite right. Take it to the printing room and tell
+McDonald to make me a copy as quickly as possible. Tell him to let me
+know when it's dry and ready to run."
+
+As the clerk disappeared Maud said:
+
+"I needn't wait, I suppose?"
+
+"No. Werner wants you at the rehearsal of 'The Love of a Princess.'
+Before you go home to-night I'll call you in to see the run of number
+nineteen. Then you may take the film to Jones--with my compliments."
+
+At five o'clock, when she was dressing to go home, Maud was summoned to
+the little "dark room" where all films are exhibited, trimmed and tested
+before being sent out. She took Aunt Jane and Flo with her and they found
+Goldstein already waiting and the operator standing by his machine.
+
+The scene was short and not very exciting, although of interest in the
+present crisis. It showed the interior of the hall where the
+stock-holders' meeting was held, and began with the assembling of the
+members. Two or three pompous individuals then seated themselves facing
+the others, and the proceedings began. A slim boy on a back bench arose
+and said something. Panic was at once written on the faces of the former
+officers. They gesticulated; their lips moved rapidly. The boy, easily
+recognized as A. Jones, advanced and displayed a lot of papers, which
+were carefully examined. He then took the president's chair, the former
+officers fled in disgust and the throng of stockholders wildly applauded.
+Then the light went out, the machine stopped, and Goldstein opened the
+door to let in light and air.
+
+"It was the same kid, all right," he remarked. "I had never seen this
+film run before, but it shows how Jones called the turn on the old
+officers in great shape. I wonder where he got all the money?"
+
+Maud secured his promise to send an operator to town, to exhibit the film
+before the judge, whenever he might be required. Then she went to her
+hotel fully satisfied that she had done all in her power to assist A.
+Jones of Sangoa.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+JUDGMENT
+
+
+A telegram from Major Doyle corroborated Le Drieux's assertion that Jack
+Andrews had arrived at the port of New York via the _Princess Irene_ on
+January twenty-seventh. A report from Lawyer Colby stated that he was now
+so thoroughly posted on everything pertaining to pearls that he could
+easily confound the expert, Mr. Isidore Le Drieux. There the matter
+rested for three days, during which the Stanton girls continued their
+work at the studio and Uncle John's nieces busied themselves enjoying the
+charms of the ideal Hollywood climate. Then came the news that the judge
+would call Jones for examination at nine o'clock on Friday morning, the
+thirteenth.
+
+"Friday, the thirteenth!" said Patsy with a grimace. "I hope Ajo isn't
+superstitious."
+
+"That combination proves lucky for some people," replied Arthur,
+laughing. "Let us hope that Jones is one of them."
+
+"Of course we shall all go to see what happens," said Beth, and to this
+there was no dissenting voice.
+
+Maud obtained a letter from Jones to Captain Carg, asking him to be on
+hand, and this she dispatched by a safe messenger to the yacht
+_Arabella_. She also told Goldstein to have his operator in attendance
+with the film. Finally, a conference was called that evening with Mr.
+Colby, at which the complete program of defense was carefully rehearsed.
+
+"Really," said the lawyer, "there's nothing to this case. It's a regular
+walkaway, believe me! I'm almost ashamed to take Mr. Jones' money for
+conducting a case that Miss Stanton has all cut and dried for me. I'll
+not receive one half the credit I should had the thing been complicated,
+or difficult. However, I've learned so much about pearls that I'm almost
+tempted to go into the jewelry business."
+
+Friday morning was bright and cool--one of those perfect days for which
+Southern California is famous. Judge Wilton appeared in court with a
+tranquil expression upon his face that proved he was in a contented mood.
+All conditions augured well for the prisoner.
+
+The prosecution was represented by two well known attorneys who had
+brought a dozen witnesses to support their charge, among them being the
+Austrian consul. The case opened with the statement that the prisoner,
+Jackson Dowd Andrews, alias A. Jones, while a guest at the villa of the
+Countess Ahmberg, near Vienna, had stolen from his hostess a valuable
+collection of pearls, which he had secretly brought to America. Some of
+the stolen booty the prisoner had disposed of, it was asserted; a part
+had been found in his possession at the time of his arrest; some of the
+pearls had been mounted by Brock & Co., the Los Angeles jewelers, at his
+request, and by him presented to several acquaintances he had recently
+made but who were innocent of any knowledge of his past history or his
+misdeeds. Therefore the prosecution demanded that the prisoner be kept in
+custody until the arrival of extradition papers, which were already on
+the way, and that on the arrival of these papers Andrews should be
+turned over to Le Drieux, a representative of the Vienna police, and by
+him taken to Austria, the scene of his crime, for trial and punishment.
+
+The judge followed the charge of the prosecution rather indifferently,
+being already familiar with it. Then he asked if there was any defense.
+
+Colby took the floor. He denied that the prisoner was Jackson Dowd
+Andrews, or that he had ever been in Vienna. It was a case of mistaken
+identity. His client's liberty had been outraged by the stupid blunders
+of the prosecution. He demanded the immediate release of the prisoner.
+
+"Have you evidence to support this plea?" inquired Judge Wilton.
+
+"We have, your honor. But the prosecution must first prove its charge."
+
+The prosecution promptly responded to the challenge. The photograph of
+Andrews, taken abroad, was shown. Two recognized experts in physiognomy
+declared, after comparison, that it was undoubtedly the photograph of the
+prisoner. Then Le Drieux took the stand. He read a newspaper account of
+the robbery. He produced a list of the pearls, attested by the countess
+herself. Each individual pearl was described and its color, weight and
+value given. Then Le Drieux exhibited the pearls taken from Jones and,
+except for the small ones in the brooch which had been presented to Mrs.
+Montrose, he checked off every pearl against his list, weighing them
+before the judge and describing their color.
+
+During this, Judge Wilton continually nodded approval. Such evidence was
+concise and indisputable, it seemed. Moreover, the defense readily
+admitted that the pearls exhibited had all been in Jones' possession.
+
+Then Colby got up to refute the evidence.
+
+"Mr. Jones," he began, "has--"
+
+"Give the prisoner's full name," said the judge.
+
+"His full name is A. Jones."
+
+"What does the 'A' stand for?"
+
+"It is only an initial, your honor. Mr. Jones has no other name."
+
+"Puh! He ought to have taken some other name. Names are cheap," sneered
+the judge.
+
+Colby ignored the point.
+
+"Mr. Jones is a resident of Sangoa, where he was born. Until he landed at
+San Francisco, fifteen months ago, he had never set foot on any land but
+that of his native island."
+
+"Where is Sangoa?" demanded the judge.
+
+"It is an island of the South Seas."
+
+"What nationality?"
+
+"It is independent. It was purchased from Uruguay by Mr. Jones' father
+many years ago, and now belongs exclusively to his son."
+
+"Your information is indefinite," snapped the judge.
+
+"I realize that, your honor; but my client deems it wise to keep the
+location of his island a secret, because he has valuable pearl
+fisheries on its shores. The pearls exhibited by the prosecution were
+all found at Sangoa."
+
+"How do you account, then, for their checking so accurately against the
+list of stolen pearls?"
+
+"I can make almost any pearls check with that list, which represents a
+huge collection of almost every size, weight and color," replied Colby.
+"To prove this, I will introduce in evidence Captain Carg of Sangoa, who
+recently arrived at Santa Monica Bay with the last proceeds of the pearl
+fisheries of the island."
+
+Captain Carg was on hand, with his two sailors guarding the chest. He now
+produced the trays of pearls and spread them on the desk before the
+amazed eyes of the judge. Le Drieux was astounded, and showed it plainly
+on his face.
+
+Colby now borrowed the list, and picking up a pearl from the tray weighed
+it on Le Drieux's scales and then found a parallel to it on the list.
+This he did with several of the pearls, chosen at random, until one of Le
+Drieux's attorneys took the expert aside and whispered to him. Then Le
+Drieux's expression changed from chagrin to joy and coming forward he
+exclaimed:
+
+"Your honor, this is the collection--the balance of it--which was stolen
+from the Countess Ahmberg!"
+
+The judge looked at him a moment, leaned back in his chair and nodded his
+head impressively.
+
+"What nonsense!" protested Colby. "These trays contain twice the number
+of pearls included in that entire list, as your honor may plainly see."
+
+"Of course," retorted Le Drieux eagerly; "here are also the pearls from
+the necklace of Princess Lemoine, and the London collection of Lady
+Grandison. Your honor, in his audacity the defense has furnished us proof
+positive that this prisoner can be none other than the adventurer and
+clever thief, Jack Andrews."
+
+It was in vain that Colby declared these pearls had just come from
+Sangoa, where they were found. The judge cut him short and asked if he
+had any other evidence to advance.
+
+"These pearls," he added, indicating the trays, "I shall take possession
+of. They must remain in my custody until their owners claim them, or
+Captain Carg can prove they are the lawful property of the prisoner."
+
+Consternation now pervaded the ranks of the defense. The girls were
+absolutely dismayed, while Uncle John and Arthur Weldon wore bewildered
+looks. Only Jones remained composed, an amused smile curling the corners
+of his delicate mouth as he eyed the judge who was to decide his fate.
+
+On the side of the prosecution were looks of triumph. Le Drieux already
+regarded his case as won.
+
+Colby now played his trump card, which Maud Stanton's logic and energy
+had supplied the defense.
+
+"The prosecution," said he, "has stated that the alleged robbery was
+committed at Vienna on the evening of September fifteenth, and that
+Jack Andrews arrived in America on the steamship _Princess Irene_ on
+the afternoon of the January twenty-seventh following. Am I correct in
+those dates?"
+
+The judge consulted his stenographer.
+
+"The dates mentioned are correct," he said pompously.
+
+"Here are the papers issued by the Commander of the Port of San
+Francisco, proving that the yacht _Arabella_ of Sangoa anchored in that
+harbor on October twelfth, and disembarked one passenger, namely: A.
+Jones of Sangoa."
+
+"That might, or might not, have been the prisoner," declared the
+prosecuting attorney.
+
+"True," said the judge. "The name 'A. Jones' is neither distinguished nor
+distinguishing."
+
+"On the evening of January twenty-sixth, twenty-four hours before Jack
+Andrews landed in America," continued Colby, "the prisoner, Mr. A. Jones,
+appeared at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Continental
+Film Manufacturing Company, in New York, and was formally elected
+president of that organization."
+
+"What is your proof?" inquired the judge, stifling a yawn.
+
+"I beg to submit the minutes of the meeting, attested by its secretary."
+
+The judge glanced at the minutes.
+
+"We object to this evidence," said the opposing attorney. "There is no
+proof that the A. Jones referred to is the prisoner."
+
+"The minutes," said Colby, "state that a motion picture was taken of the
+meeting. I have the film here, in this room, and beg permission to
+exhibit it before your honor as evidence."
+
+The judge was a bit startled at so novel a suggestion but assented with
+a nod. In a twinkling the operator had suspended a roller-screen from the
+chandelier dependent from the ceiling, pulled down the window shades and
+attached his projecting machine to an electric-light socket.
+
+Then the picture flashed upon the screen. It was not entirely distinct,
+because the room could not be fully darkened and the current was not
+strong, yet every face in the gathering of stockholders could be plainly
+recognized. Jones, especially, as the central figure, could not be
+mistaken and no one who looked upon the picture could doubt his identity.
+
+When the exhibition was concluded and the room again lightened, Le
+Drieux's face was visibly perturbed and anxious, while his attorneys sat
+glum and disconcerted.
+
+Colby now put Goldstein on the stand, who testified that he recognized
+Jones as president of his company and the owner of the majority of
+stock. The young man had come to him with unimpeachable credentials to
+that effect.
+
+The girls were now smiling and cheerful. To them the defense was
+absolutely convincing. But Le Drieux's attorneys were skillful fighters
+and did not relish defeat. They advanced the theory that the motion
+picture, just shown, had been made at a later dale and substituted for
+the one mentioned in the minutes of the meeting. They questioned
+Goldstein, who admitted that he had never seen Jones until a few days
+previous. The manager denied, however, any substitution of the picture.
+He was not a very satisfactory witness for the defense and Colby was
+sorry he had summoned him.
+
+As for the judge, he seemed to accept the idea of the substitution with
+alacrity. He had practically decided against Jones in the matter of the
+pearls. Now he listened carefully to the arguments of the prosecution and
+cut Colby short when he raised objections to their sophistry.
+
+Finally Judge Wilton rose to state his decision.
+
+"The evidence submitted in proof of the alleged fact that the prisoner is
+Jack Andrews, and that Jack Andrews may have robbed the Countess Ahmberg,
+of Vienna, of her valuable collection of pearls, is in the judgment of
+this court clear and convincing," he said. "The lawyer for the defense
+has further succeeded in entangling his client by exhibiting an
+additional assortment of pearls, which may likewise be stolen property.
+The attempt to impose upon this court a mythical island called Sangoa
+is--eh--distinctly reprehensible. This court is not so easily hoodwinked.
+Therefore, in consideration of the evidence advanced, I declare that the
+prisoner is Jack Andrews, otherwise Jackson Dowd Andrews, otherwise
+parading under the alias of 'A. Jones,' and I recognize the claim of the
+Austrian police to his person, that he may be legally tried for his
+alleged crimes in the territory where it is alleged he committed them.
+Therefore I order that the prisoner be held for requisition and turned
+over to the proper authorities when the papers arrive. The court is
+adjourned."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN
+
+
+Of course not one of our friends agreed with the judge. Indignation and
+resentment were written on every face--except that of Goldstein. The
+manager rubbed his hands softly together and, approaching Maud, he
+whispered:
+
+"You needn't speak to Jones about me. It's all right. I guess he won't be
+interfering with me any more, eh? And come _early_ to-morrow morning.
+We've got a lot of rehearsing to do. To-day I will call a holiday for
+you. And, believe me, Miss Stanton, this is nothing to worry any of us.
+The judge settles it, right or wrong, for the law defies us all."
+
+As the manager hurried away Uncle John looked after him and said:
+
+"I wonder if he realizes how true his words are? 'The law defies us all.'
+How helpless we are to oppose injustice and oppression when one man,
+with a man's limitations and prejudices, is clothed with authority to
+condemn us!"
+
+Colby stood silent. The poor fellow's eyes were full of unshed tears.
+
+"This is my first case, and my last," said he. "I won it honestly. It was
+the judge, not the evidence, that defeated me. I'm going to rent my
+office and apply for a job as a chauffeur."
+
+Jones was the least affected of the group. "Never mind, friends," he said
+to them, "it will all come right in the end. If you will stand by me,
+Colby, I'll retain you to plead my case in the Austrian court, or at
+least advise my Austrian lawyers. I've an idea they will treat me fairly,
+over there in Vienna."
+
+"It's outrageous!" quoth indignant Patsy Doyle. "I'd like to give that
+judge a piece of my mind."
+
+"If you did," replied Arthur, "he'd fine you for contempt."
+
+"It would be a just line, in that case," said Patsy; "so I'm sure he
+wouldn't do it."
+
+The jailer had come to take the prisoner back to his cell. He smiled
+whimsically at Miss Doyle's speech and remarked:
+
+"There's always one side to kick, Miss, whichever way the judge decides.
+It was only Solomon who could satisfy everybody."
+
+"Clear the room!" shouted the bailiff.
+
+Captain Carg's men took the empty chest back to the launch. The captain
+followed them, after pressing the hand of his young master, who said:
+"Wait for orders, Captain." Uncle John took his flock back to the hotel,
+where they gathered in his room and held an indignation meeting. Here it
+was safe to give full vent to their chagrin and disappointment.
+
+"Every bit of honest evidence was on our side," declared Maud. "I shall
+never be able to understand why we lost."
+
+"Bribery and corruption," said Flo. "I'll bet a cookie Le Drieux divided
+the reward with the judge."
+
+"I suppose it's all up with Ajo now," sighed Beth, regretfully.
+
+"Yes," replied Colby, who had accompanied them; "there is nothing more to
+be done for him at present. From the judge's order there is no appeal,
+in such a case. Mr. Jones must go to Vienna for trial; but there he may
+secure an acquittal."
+
+"He is very brave, I think," said Patsy. "This affair must have hurt his
+pride, but he smiles through it all. In his condition of health, the
+confinement and humiliation may well shorten his life, yet he has made
+no murmur."
+
+"He's good stuff, that boy," commented Uncle John. "Perhaps it is due to
+that John Paul blood his father was so proud of."
+
+When Arthur went into the lobby a little later he found Le Drieux seated
+comfortably and smoking a long cigar. The pearl expert nodded to the
+young ranchman with so much evident satisfaction that Arthur could not
+resist engaging him in conversation.
+
+"Well, you won," he remarked, taking a vacant chair beside Le Drieux.
+
+"Yes, of course," was the reply; "but I'll admit that fellow Andrews is a
+smooth one. Why, at one time he had even me puzzled with his alibis and
+his evidence. That flash of the pearls was the cleverest trick I ever
+heard of; but it didn't go, I'd warned the judge to look out for a scoop.
+He knew he was dealing with one of the most slippery rogues in
+captivity."
+
+"See here, Le Drieux," said Arthur; "let us be honest with one another,
+now that the thing is settled and diplomacy is uncalled for. Do you
+really believe that Jones is Jack Andrews?"
+
+"Me? I know it, Mr. Weldon. I don't pose as a detective, but I'm
+considered to have a shrewd insight into human character, and from the
+first moment I set eyes on him I was positive that Jones was the famous
+Jack Andrews. I can understand how you people, generous and trusting,
+have been deceived in the fellow; I admire the grit you've all shown in
+standing by him to the last. I haven't a particle of malice toward any
+one of you, I assure you--not even toward Andrews himself."
+
+"Then why have you bounded him so persistently?"
+
+"For two reasons." said Le Drieux. "As a noted pearl expert, I wanted
+to prove my ability to run down the thief; and, as a man in modest
+circumstances, I wanted the reward."
+
+"How much will you get?"
+
+"All together, the rewards aggregate twenty thousand dollars. I'll get
+half, and my firm will get half."
+
+"I think," said Arthur, to test the man, "that Jones would have paid you
+double that amount to let him alone."
+
+Le Drieux shook his head; then he smiled.
+
+"I don't mind telling you, Mr. Weldon--in strict confidence, of
+course--that I approached Jones on that very subject, the day he was
+placed in jail. He must have been sure his tricks would clear him, for he
+refused to give me a single penny. I imagine he is very sorry, right now;
+don't you, sir?"
+
+"No," said Arthur, "I don't. I still believe in his innocence."
+
+Le Drieux stared at him incredulously.
+
+"What, after that examination of to-day?" he demanded.
+
+"Before and after. There was no justice in the decision of Judge Wilton;
+he was unduly prejudiced."
+
+"Be careful, sir!"
+
+"We are talking confidentially."
+
+"To be sure. But you astonish me. I understand the character of Andrews
+so thoroughly that I fail to comprehend how any sensible person can
+believe in him. Talk about prejudice!"
+
+"I suppose you are to remain at this hotel?" said Arthur, evading
+further argument.
+
+"Yes, until the papers arrive. They ought to be here by Monday. Then
+I shall take Andrews to New York and we will board the first steamer
+for Europe."
+
+Arthur left him. Le Drieux puzzled him more than he puzzled Le Drieux.
+The expert seemed sincere in the belief that he had trapped, in Jones, a
+noted criminal. Weldon could not help wondering, as he walked away, if
+possibly he and his friends had been deceived in A. Jones of Sangoa. The
+doubt was but momentary, yet it had forced itself into his mind.
+
+On Saturday afternoon they all made a visit to the prisoner and tried to
+cheer him. Again on Sunday they called--the Stantons and Merricks and
+Weldons and all. Young Jones received them with composure and begged them
+not to worry on his account.
+
+"I am quite comfortable in this jail, I assure you," said he. "On my
+journey to Vienna I shall be able to bribe Le Drieux to let me have such
+comforts as I desire. There is but one experience I shrink from: the
+passage across the Atlantic. If it brings a return of my former malady I
+shall suffer terribly."
+
+"It may not be so bad as you fear," Patsy assured him, although in her
+heart she realized it might be the death of the boy. "Often those who are
+distressed by a voyage on the Pacific endure the Atlantic very well."
+
+"That is encouraging," said he. "It is my dread of the water that has
+prevented me from returning to Sangoa, or even visiting my yacht. And
+this reminds me of a favor I wish to ask."
+
+"You may rely upon our friendship," said Maud.
+
+"I believe that. Here is a letter to Captain Carg, putting the _Arabella_
+at your disposal until my return from Vienna. I have named Mr. Merrick
+as the commander of the yacht, in my absence, and if you feel inclined to
+make the trip and can spare the time I would like you all to make a
+voyage to Sangoa."
+
+"To Sangoa!" they cried in chorus.
+
+"Yes. I am ambitious to prove to you, who have been my staunch friends,
+that the island is indeed there. Incidentally you will become acquainted
+with the prettiest place in all the world. My house will be at your
+disposal while you remain and I am sure you will find it fairly
+comfortable."
+
+They were so amazed at this proposition that at first no one found
+words to answer the boy. It was Flo, naturally, who first collected
+her thoughts.
+
+"It will be awfully jolly!" she cried, clapping her hands with delight.
+"I'm sure Maud and I need a vacation. Let's stick up our noses at
+Goldstein and sail away to the mysterious isle. What do you say, girls?
+And you, Mr. Merrick?"
+
+"I believe, my boy," said Uncle John, laying a kindly hand on the youth's
+shoulder, "that all of us are inclined to take advantage of your offer.
+That is, if you are sure we can be of no further use to you in your
+difficulties."
+
+"I am taking Colby abroad with me and he can do all that may be done
+until after my trial. Then I hope to rejoin you here and am looking
+forward to a jolly reunion."
+
+Uncle John took the letters which Ajo had written to Captain Carg, to his
+superintendent in Sangoa and to his housekeeper. Then they all pressed
+the boy's hand and went away.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Monday morning the extradition papers arrived. Le Drieux exhibited them
+proudly to young Weldon, to Mr. Merrick, and even to the girls, who
+regarded the documents with shuddering awe.
+
+"We'll take the night train," said the man. "That will get us to New York
+on Friday, in time to catch the Saturday steamer for Calais."
+
+As he spoke a boy approached and handed Le Drieux a telegram.
+
+"Excuse me," said he, and opened it with an important flourish. The next
+moment his face fell. He staggered and sank half fainting into a chair
+which Mr. Merrick pushed toward him.
+
+Patsy ran for some water. Maud Stanton fanned the man with a folded
+newspaper. Arthur Weldon picked up the telegram which had _fluttered_
+from Le Drieux's grasp and deliberately read it. Then he, too, sank
+gasping into a chair.
+
+"Listen, girls!" he cried, his voice shrill with emotion. "What do you
+think of this?
+
+"'Jack Andrews arrested here in New York to-day by Burns detectives.
+Countess Ahmberg's collection of pearls was found in his possession,
+intact. Return here first train.'
+
+"Signed: 'Eckstrom & Co.'"
+
+There was a moment of tense silence.
+
+Flo clapped her hands.
+
+"Come on," she shouted in glee, "let's go and tell Ajo!"
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES OUT WEST ***
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West , by Edith Van
+Dyne
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West 
+
+Author: Edith Van Dyne
+
+Release Date: December 10, 2003  [eBook #10432]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES OUT WEST ***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Afra Ullah, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West
+
+By Edith Van Dyne
+
+1914
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER
+
+      I CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA
+
+     II AN OBJECT LESSON
+
+    III AN ATTRACTIVE GIRL
+
+     IV AUNT JANE'S NIECES
+
+      V A THRILLING RESCUE
+
+     VI A. JONES
+
+    VII THE INVALID
+
+   VIII THE MAGIC OF A NAME
+
+     IX DOCTOR PATSY
+
+      X STILL A MYSTERY
+
+     XI A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
+
+    XII PICTURES, GIRLS AND NONSENSE
+
+   XIII A FOOLISH BOY
+
+    XIV ISIDORE LE DRIEUX
+
+     XV A FEW PEARLS
+
+    XVI TROUBLE
+
+   XVII UNCLE JOHN IS PUZZLED
+
+  XVIII DOUBTS AND DIFFICULTIES
+
+    XIX MAUD MAKES A MEMORANDUM
+
+     XX A GIRLISH NOTION
+
+    XXI THE YACHT "ARABELLA"
+
+   XXII MASCULINE AND FEMININE
+
+  XXIII THE ADVANTAGE OF A DAY
+
+   XXIV PICTURE NUMBER NINETEEN
+
+    XXV JUDGMENT
+
+   XXVI SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+CAUGHT BY THE CAMERA
+
+
+"This is getting to be an amazing old world," said a young girl, still in
+her "teens," as she musingly leaned her chin on her hand.
+
+"It has always been an amazing old world, Beth," said another girl who
+was sitting on the porch railing and swinging her feet in the air.
+
+"True, Patsy," was the reply; "but the people are doing such peculiar
+things nowadays."
+
+"Yes, yes!" exclaimed a little man who occupied a reclining chair within
+hearing distance; "that is the way with you young folks--always
+confounding the world with its people."
+
+"Don't the people make the world, Uncle John?" asked Patricia Doyle,
+looking at him quizzically.
+
+"No, indeed; the world could get along very well without its people; but
+the people--"
+
+"To be sure; they need the world," laughed Patsy, her blue eyes
+twinkling so that they glorified her plain, freckled face.
+
+"Nevertheless," said Beth de Graf, soberly, "I think the people have
+struck a rapid pace these days and are growing bold and impudent. The law
+appears to allow them too much liberty. After our experience of this
+morning I shall not be surprised at anything that happens--especially in
+this cranky state of California."
+
+"To what experience do you allude, Beth?" asked Uncle John, sitting up
+straight and glancing from one to another of his two nieces. He was a
+genial looking, round-faced man, quite bald and inclined to be a trifle
+stout; yet his fifty-odd years sat lightly upon him.
+
+"Why, we had quite an adventure this morning," said Patsy, laughing
+again at the recollection, and answering her uncle because Beth
+hesitated to. "For my part, I think it was fun, and harmless fun, at
+that; but Beth was scared out of a year's growth. I admit feeling a
+little creepy at the time, myself; but it was all a joke and really we
+ought not to mind it at all."
+
+"Tell me all about it, my dear!" said Mr. Merrick, earnestly, for
+whatever affected his beloved nieces was of prime importance to him.
+
+"We were taking our morning stroll along the streets," began Patsy, "when
+on turning a corner we came upon a crowd of people who seemed to be
+greatly excited. Most of them were workmen in flannel shirts, their
+sleeves rolled up, their hands grimy with toil. These stood before a
+brick building that seemed like a factory, while from its doors other
+crowds of workmen and some shopgirls were rushing into the street and
+several policemen were shaking their clubs and running here and there in
+a sort of panic. At first Beth and I stopped and hesitated to go on, but
+as the sidewalk seemed open and fairly free I pulled Beth along, thinking
+we might discover what the row was about. Just as we got opposite the
+building a big workman rushed at us and shouted: 'Go back--go back! The
+wall is falling.'
+
+"Well, Uncle, you can imagine our dismay. We both screamed, for we
+thought our time had come, for sure. My legs were so weak that Beth had
+to drag me away and her face was white as a sheet and full of terror.
+Somehow we managed to stagger into the street, where a dozen men caught
+us and hurried us away. I hardly thought we were in a safe place when the
+big workman cried: 'There, young ladies; that will do. Your expression
+was simply immense and if this doesn't turn out to be the best film of
+the year, I'll miss my guess! Your terror-stricken features will make a
+regular hit, for the terror wasn't assumed, you know. Thank you very much
+for happening along just then.'"
+
+Patsy stopped her recital to laugh once more, with genuine merriment, but
+her cousin Beth seemed annoyed and Uncle John was frankly bewildered.
+
+"But--what--what--was it all about?" he inquired.
+
+"Why, they were taking a moving picture, that was all, and the workmen
+and shopgirls and policemen were all actors. There must have been a
+hundred of them, all told, and when we recovered from our scare I could
+hear the machine beside me clicking away as it took the picture."
+
+"Did the wall fall?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Not just then. They first got the picture of the rush-out and the
+panic, and then they stopped the camera and moved the people to a safe
+distance away. We watched them set up some dummy figures of girls and
+workmen, closer in, and then in some way they toppled over the big brick
+wall. It fell into the street with a thundering crash, but only the
+dummies were buried under the debris."
+
+Mr. Merrick drew a long breath.
+
+"It's wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Why, it must have cost a lot of money to
+ruin such a building--and all for the sake of a picture!"
+
+"That's what I said to the manager," replied Patsy; "but he told us the
+building was going to be pulled down, anyhow, and a better one built in
+its place; so he invented a picture story to fit the falling walls and it
+didn't cost him so much as one might think. So you see, Uncle, we are in
+that picture--big as life and scared stiff--and I'd give a lot to see how
+we look when we're positively terror-stricken."
+
+"It will cost you just ten cents," remarked Beth, with a shrug; "that is,
+if the picture proves good enough to be displayed at one of those horrid
+little theatres."
+
+"One?" said Uncle John. "One thousand little theatres, most likely, will
+show the picture, and perhaps millions of spectators will see you and
+Patsy running from the falling wall."
+
+"Dear me!" wailed Patsy. "That's more fame than I bargained for. Do
+millions go to see motion pictures, Uncle?"
+
+"I believe so. The making of these pictures is getting to be an enormous
+industry. I was introduced to Otis Werner, the other day, and he told me
+a good deal about it. Werner is with one of the big concerns here--the
+Continental, I think--and he's a very nice and gentlemanly fellow. I'll
+introduce you to him, some time, and he'll tell you all the wonders of
+the motion picture business."
+
+"I haven't witnessed one of those atrocious exhibitions for months,"
+announced Beth; "nor have I any desire to see one again."
+
+"Not our own special picture?" asked Patsy reproachfully.
+
+"They had no right to force us into their dreadful drama," protested
+Beth. "Motion pictures are dreadfully tiresome things--comedies and
+tragedies alike. They are wild and weird in conception, quite unreal and
+wholly impossible. Of course the scenic pictures, and those recording
+historical events, are well enough in their way, but I cannot understand
+how so many cheap little picture theatres thrive."
+
+"They are the poor people's solace and recreation," declared Mr. Merrick.
+"The picture theatre has become the laboring man's favorite resort. It
+costs him but five or ten cents and it's the sort of show he can
+appreciate. I'm told the motion picture is considered the saloon's worst
+enemy, for many a man is taking his wife and children to a picture
+theatre evenings instead of joining a gang of his fellows before the bar,
+as he formerly did."
+
+"That is the best argument in their favor I have ever heard," admitted
+Beth, who was strong on temperance; "but I hope, Uncle, you are not
+defending the insolent methods of those picture-makers."
+
+"Not at all, my dear. I consider the trapping of innocent bystanders to
+be--eh--er--highly reprehensible, and perhaps worse. If I can discover
+what picture manager was guilty of the act, I shall--shall--"
+
+"What, Uncle?"
+
+"I shall hint that he owes you an apology," he concluded, rather lamely.
+
+Beth smiled scornfully.
+
+"Meantime," said she, "two very respectable girls, who are not actresses,
+will be exhibited before the critical eyes of millions of stupid workmen,
+reformed drunkards, sad-faced women and wiggling children--not in
+dignified attitudes, mind you, but scurrying from what they supposed was
+an imminent danger."
+
+"I hope it will do the poor things good to see us," retorted Patsy. "To
+be strictly honest, Beth, we were not trapped at all; we were the victims
+of circumstances. When I remember how quick-witted and alert that manager
+was, to catch us unawares and so add to the value of his picture, I can
+quite forgive the fellow his audacity."
+
+"It wasn't audacity so much as downright impudence!" persisted Beth.
+
+"I quite agree with you," said Mr. Merrick. "Do you wish me to buy that
+film and prevent the picture's being shown?"
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Patsy in protest. "I'm dying to see how we look. I
+wouldn't have that picture sidetracked for anything."
+
+"And you, Beth?"
+
+"Really, Uncle John, the thing is not worth worrying over," replied his
+niece. "I am naturally indignant at being drawn into such a thing against
+my will, but I doubt if anyone who knows us, or whose opinion we value,
+will ever visit a moving picture theatre or see this film. The common
+people will not recognize us, of course."
+
+You must not think Beth de Graf was snobbish or aristocratic because of
+this speech, which her cousin Patsy promptly denounced as "snippy." Beth
+was really a lovable and sunny-tempered girl, very democratic in her
+tastes in spite of the fact that she was the possessor of an unusual
+fortune. She was out of sorts to-day, resentful of the fright she had
+endured that morning and in the mood to say harsh things.
+
+Even Patricia Doyle had been indignant, at first; but Patsy's judgment
+was clearer than her cousin's and her nature more responsive. She quickly
+saw the humorous side of their adventure and could enjoy the recollection
+of her momentary fear.
+
+These two girls were spending the winter months in the glorious climate
+of Southern California, chaperoned by their uncle and guardian, John
+Merrick. They had recently established themselves at a cosy hotel in
+Hollywood, which is a typical California village, yet a suburb of the
+great city of Los Angeles. A third niece, older and now married--Louise
+Merrick Weldon--lived on a ranch between Los Angeles and San Diego, which
+was one reason why Uncle John and his wards had located in this pleasant
+neighborhood.
+
+To observe this trio--the simple, complacent little man and his two young
+nieces--no stranger would suspect them to be other than ordinary
+tourists, bent on escaping the severe Eastern winter; but in New York the
+name of John Merrick was spoken with awe in financial circles, where his
+many millions made him an important figure. He had practically retired
+from active business and his large investments were managed by his
+brother-in-law, Major Gregory Doyle, who was Miss Patsy's father and sole
+surviving parent. All of Mr. Merrick's present interest in life centered
+in his three nieces, and because Louise was happily married and had now
+an establishment of her own--including a rather new but very remarkable
+baby--Uncle John was drawn closer to the two younger nieces and devoted
+himself wholly to their welfare.
+
+The girls had not been rich when their fairy godfather first found them.
+Indeed, each of them had been energetically earning, or preparing to
+earn, a livelihood. Now, when their uncle's generosity had made them
+wealthy, they almost regretted those former busy days of poverty, being
+obliged to discover new interests in life in order to keep themselves
+occupied and contented. All three were open-handed and open-hearted,
+sympathetic to the unfortunate and eager to assist those who needed
+money, as many a poor girl and worthy young fellow could testify. In all
+their charities they were strongly supported by Mr. Merrick, whose
+enormous income permitted him to indulge in many benevolences. None gave
+ostentatiously, for they were simple, kindly folk who gave for the pure
+joy of giving and begrudged all knowledge of their acts to anyone outside
+their own little circle.
+
+There is no doubt that John Merrick was eccentric. It is generally
+conceded that a rich man may indulge in eccentricities, provided he
+maintains a useful position in society, and Mr. Merrick's peculiarities
+only served to render him the more interesting to those who knew him
+best. He did astonishing things in a most matter-of-fact way and acted
+more on impulse than on calm reflection; so it is not to be wondered at
+that the queer little man's nieces had imbibed some of his queerness.
+Being by nature lively and aggressive young women, whose eager interest
+in life would not permit them to be idle, they encountered many
+interesting experiences.
+
+They had just come from a long visit to Louise at the ranch and after
+conferring gravely together had decided to hide themselves in Hollywood,
+where they might spend a quiet and happy winter in wandering over the
+hills, in boating or bathing in the ocean or motoring over the hundreds
+of miles of splendid boulevards of this section.
+
+Singularly enough, their choice of a retreat was also the choice of a
+score or more of motion picture makers, who had discovered Hollywood
+before them and were utilizing the brilliant sunshine and clear
+atmosphere in the production of their films, which were supplied to
+picture theatres throughout the United States and Europe. Appreciating
+the value of such a monster industry, the authorities permitted the
+cameras to be set up on the public streets or wherever there was an
+appropriate scene to serve for a background to the photo-plays. It was no
+unusual sight to see troops of cowboys and Indians racing through the
+pretty village or to find the cameraman busy before the imposing
+residence of a millionaire or the vine-covered bungalow of a more modest
+citizen. No one seemed to resent such action, for Californians admire the
+motion picture as enthusiastically as do the inhabitants of the Eastern
+states, so the girls' "adventure" was really a common incident.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+AN OBJECT LESSON
+
+
+It was the following afternoon when Uncle John captured his casual
+acquaintance, Mr. Otis Werner, in the office of the hotel and dragged the
+motion picture man away to his rooms to be introduced to his nieces.
+
+"Here, my dears, is Mr. Werner," he began, as he threw open the door of
+their apartment and escorted his companion in. "He is one of those
+picture makers, you'll remember, and--and--"
+
+He paused abruptly, for Beth was staring at Mr. Werner with a frown on
+her usually placid features, while Patsy was giggling hysterically. Mr.
+Werner, a twinkle of amusement in his eye, bowed with exaggerated
+deference.
+
+"Dear me!" said Uncle John. "Is--is anything wrong!"
+
+"No; it's all right, Uncle," declared Patsy, striving to control a fresh
+convulsion of laughter. "Only--this is the same dreadful manager who
+dragged us into his picture yesterday."
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Mr. Werner; "I'm not a manager; I'm merely what
+is called in our profession a 'producer,' or a 'stage director.'"
+
+"Well, you're the man, anyhow," asserted Patsy. "So what have you to say
+for yourself, sir?"
+
+"If you were annoyed, I humbly apologize," he returned. "Perhaps I was
+unintentionally rude to frighten you in that way, but my excuse lies in
+our subservience to the demands of our art. We seldom hesitate at
+anything which tends to give our pictures the semblance of reality."
+
+"_Art_, did you say, Mr. Werner?" It was Beth who asked this and there
+was a bit of a sneer in her tone.
+
+"It is really art--art of the highest character," he replied warmly. "Do
+you question it, Miss--Miss--"
+
+"Miss de Graf. I suppose, to be fair, I must admit that the photography
+is art; but the subjects of your pictures, I have observed, are far from
+artistic. Such a picture, for instance, as you made yesterday can have
+little value to anyone."
+
+"Little value! Why, Miss de Graf, you astonish me," he exclaimed. "I
+consider that picture of the falling wall one of my greatest
+triumphs--and I've been making pictures for years. Aside from its
+realism, its emotional nature--'thrills,' we call it--this picture
+conveys a vivid lesson that ought to prove of great benefit to humanity."
+
+Beth was looking at him curiously now. Patsy was serious and very
+attentive. As Uncle John asked his visitor to be seated his voice
+betrayed the interest he felt in the conversation.
+
+"Of course we saw only a bit of the picture," said Patsy Doyle. "What was
+it all about, Mr. Werner?"
+
+"We try," said he, slowly and impressively, as if in love with his
+theme, "to give to our pictures an educational value, as well as to
+render them entertaining. Some of them contain a high moral lesson;
+others, a warning; many, an incentive to live purer and nobler lives.
+All of our plots are conceived with far more thought than you may
+suppose. Underlying many of our romances and tragedies are moral
+injunctions which are involuntarily absorbed by the observers, yet of so
+subtle a nature that they are not suspected. We cannot preach except by
+suggestion, for people go to our picture shows to be amused. If we
+hurled righteousness at them they would soon desert us, and we would be
+obliged to close up shop."
+
+"I must confess that this is, to me, a most novel presentation of the
+subject," said Beth, more graciously. "Personally, I care little for your
+pictures; but I can understand how travel scenes and scientific or
+educational subjects might be of real benefit to the people."
+
+"I can't understand anyone's being indifferent to the charm of motion
+pictures," he responded, somewhat reproachfully.
+
+"Why, at first they struck me as wonderful," said the girl. "They were
+such a novel invention that I went to see them from pure curiosity. But,
+afterward, the subjects presented in the pictures bored me. The drama
+pictures were cheap and common, the comedy scenes worse; so I kept away
+from the picture theatres."
+
+"Educational pictures," said Mr. Werner, musingly, "have proved a
+failure, as I hinted, except when liberally interspersed with scenes of
+action and human interest. The only financial failures among the host of
+motion picture theatres, so far as I have observed, are those that have
+attempted to run travel scenes and educational films exclusively. There
+are so few people with your--eh--culture and--and--elevated tastes, you
+see, when compared with the masses."
+
+"But tell us about _our_ picture," pleaded Patsy. "What lesson can that
+falling wall possibly convey?"
+
+"I'll be glad to explain that," he eagerly replied, "for I am quite proud
+of it, I assure you. There are many buildings throughout our larger
+cities that were erected as cheaply as possible and without a single
+thought for the safety of their tenants. So many disasters have resulted
+from this that of late years building inspectors have been appointed in
+every locality to insist on proper materials and mechanical efficiency
+in the erection of all classes of buildings. These inspectors, however,
+cannot tear the old buildings down to see if they are safe, and paint and
+plaster cover a multitude of sins of unscrupulous builders. Usually the
+landlord or owner knows well the condition of his property and in many
+cases refuses to put it into such shape as to insure the safety of his
+tenants. Greed, false economy and heartless indifference to the welfare
+of others are unfortunately too prevalent among the wealthy class. No
+ordinary argument could induce owners to expend money in strengthening or
+rebuilding their income-producing properties. But I get after them in my
+picture with a prod that ought to rouse them to action.
+
+"The picture opens with a scene in the interior of a factory. Men, girls
+and boys are employed. The foreman observes a warning crack in the wall
+and calls the proprietor's attention to it. In this case the manufacturer
+is the owner of the building, but he refuses to make repairs. His
+argument is that the wall has stood for many years and so is likely to
+stand for many more; it would be a waste of money to repair the old
+shell. Next day the foreman shows him that the crack has spread and
+extended along the wall in an alarming manner but still the owner will
+not act. The workmen counsel together seriously. They dare not desert
+their jobs, for they must have money to live. They send a petition to the
+owner, who becomes angry and swears he won't be driven to a useless
+expense by his own employees. In the next scene the manufacturer's
+daughter--his only child--having heard that the building was unsafe,
+comes to her father's office to plead with him to change his mind and
+make the needed repairs. Although he loves this daughter next to his
+money he resents her interference in a business matter, and refuses. Her
+words, however, impress him so strongly that he calls her back from the
+door to kiss her and say that he will give the matter further thought,
+for her sake.
+
+"As she leaves the office there is a cry of terror from the factory and
+the working people come rushing out of the now tottering building. That
+was when you two young ladies came walking up the street and were dragged
+out of danger by the foreman of the shop--in other words, by myself. The
+owner's daughter, bewildered by the confusion, hesitates what to do or
+which way to turn, and as she stands upon the sidewalk she is crushed by
+the falling wall, together with several of her father's employees."
+
+"How dreadful!" exclaimed Patsy.
+
+"Of course no one was actually hurt," he hastened to say; "for we used
+dummy figures for the wall to fall upon. In the final scene the bereaved
+father suddenly realizes that he has been working and accumulating only
+for this beloved child--the child whose life he has sacrificed by his
+miserly refusal to protect his workmen. His grief is so intense that no
+one who follows the story of this picture will ever hesitate to repair a
+building promptly, if he learns it is unsafe. Do you now understand the
+lesson taught, young ladies?"
+
+Mr. Werner's dramatic recital had strongly impressed the two girls, while
+Uncle John was visibly affected.
+
+"I'm very glad," said the little man fervently, "that none of my money is
+in factories or other buildings that might prove unsafe. It would make
+my life miserable if I thought I was in any way responsible for such a
+catastrophe as you have pictured."
+
+"It seems to me," observed Patsy, "that your story is unnecessarily
+cruel, Mr. Werner."
+
+"Then you do not understand human nature," he retorted; "or, at least,
+that phase of human nature I have aimed at. Those indifferent rich men
+are very hard to move and you must figuratively hit them squarely between
+the eyes to make them even wink."
+
+They were silent for a time, considering this novel aspect of the picture
+business. Then Beth asked:
+
+"Can you tell us, sir, when and where we shall be able to see this
+picture?"
+
+"It will be released next Monday."
+
+"What does that mean?"
+
+"It means that we, as manufacturers, supply certain agencies in all the
+large cities, who in turn rent our films to the many picture theatres.
+When a picture is ready, we send copies to all our agencies and set a
+day when they may release it, or give it to their customers to use. In
+this way the picture will be shown in all parts of the United States on
+the same day--in this case, next Monday."
+
+"Isn't that very quick?"
+
+"Yes. The picture we took yesterday will to-night be shipped, all
+complete and ready to run, to forty-four different centers."
+
+"And will any picture theatre in Hollywood or Los Angeles show it?"
+
+"Certainly. It will be at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles and at the
+Isis Theatre in Hollywood, for the entire week."
+
+"We shall certainly see it," announced Uncle John.
+
+When Mr. Werner had gone they conversed for some time on the subject of
+motion pictures, and the man's remarkable statement concerning them.
+
+"I had no idea," Beth confessed, "that the industry of making pictures is
+so extensive and involves so much thought and detail."
+
+"And money," added Uncle John. "It must be a great expense just to
+employ that army of actors."
+
+"I suppose Mr. Werner, being a theatrical man, has drawn the long bow in
+his effort to impress us," said Patsy. "I've been thinking over some of
+the pictures I've seen recently and I can't imagine a moral, however
+intangible or illusive, in connection with any of them. But perhaps I
+wasn't observant enough. The next time I go to a picture show I shall
+study the plays more carefully."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+AN ATTRACTIVE GIRL
+
+
+On Saturday they were treated to a genuine surprise, for when the omnibus
+drew up before the hotel entrance it brought Arthur Weldon and his
+girl-wife, Louise, who was Uncle John's eldest niece. It also brought
+"the Cherub," a wee dimpled baby hugged closely in the arms of Inez, its
+Mexican nurse.
+
+Patsy and Beth shrieked in ecstasy as they rushed forward to smother
+"Toodlums," as they irreverently called the Cherub, with kisses. Inez, a
+handsome, dark-eyed girl, relinquished her burden cheerfully to the two
+adoring "aunties," while Uncle John kissed Louise and warmly shook the
+hand of her youthful husband.
+
+"What in the world induced you to abandon your beloved ranch?" inquired
+Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Don't ask me, sir!" replied Arthur, laughing at the elder gentleman's
+astonishment. He was a trim young fellow, with a clean-cut, manly face
+and frank, winning manners.
+
+"It's sort of between hay and grass with us, you know," he explained.
+"Walnuts all marketed and oranges not ready for the pickers. All our
+neighbors have migrated, this way or that, for their regular winter
+vacations, and after you all left, Louise and I began to feel lonely. So
+at breakfast this morning we decided to flit. At ten o'clock we caught
+the express, and here we are--in time for lunch. I hope it's ready,
+Uncle John."
+
+It was; but they must get their rooms and settle the baby in her new
+quarters before venturing to enter the dining room. So they were late for
+the midday meal and found themselves almost the only guests in the great
+dining hall.
+
+As they sat at table, chatting merrily together, Arthur asked:
+
+"What are you staring at, Patsy?"
+
+"A lovely girl," said she. "One of the loveliest girls I have ever seen.
+Don't look around, Arthur; it might attract their attention."
+
+"How many girls are there?"
+
+"Two; and a lady who seems to be their mother. The other girl is pretty,
+too, but much younger than her sister--or friend, for they do not
+resemble one another much. They came in a few minutes ago and are seated
+at the table in the opposite corner."
+
+"New arrivals, I suppose," remarked Uncle John, who from his position
+could observe the group.
+
+"No," said Patsy; "their waitress seems to know them well. But I've never
+before seen them in the hotel."
+
+"We are always early at meal time," explained Beth, "and to-day these
+people are certainly late. But they _are_ pretty girls, Patsy. For once I
+concur in your judgment."
+
+"You arouse my curiosity," said Arthur, speaking quietly, so as not to be
+overheard in the far corner. "If I hear more ecstatic praises of these
+girls I shall turn around and stare them out of countenance."
+
+"Don't," said Louise. "I'm glad your back is toward them, Arthur, for it
+preserves you from the temptation to flirt."
+
+"Oh, as for that, I do not need to turn around in order to see pretty
+girls," he replied.
+
+"Thank you, Arthur," said Patsy, making a face at him. "Look me over all
+you like, and flirt if you want to. I'm sure Louise won't object."
+
+"Really, Patsy, you're not bad to look at," he retorted, eyeing her
+critically. "Aside from your red hair, the pug nose and the freckles, you
+have many excellent qualities. If you didn't squint--"
+
+"Squint!"
+
+"What do you call that affection of your eyes?"
+
+"That," she said, calmly eating her dessert, "was a glance of
+scorn--burning, bitter scorn!"
+
+"I maintain it was a squint," declared Arthur.
+
+"That isn't her only expression," announced Uncle John, who loved these
+little exchanges of good-humored banter. "On Monday I will show you Patsy
+as a terror-stricken damsel in distress."
+
+"Also Beth, still more distressful," added Patsy; and then they told
+Louise and Arthur about the picture.
+
+"Fine!" he cried. "I'm deeply gratified that my own relatives--"
+
+"By marriage."
+
+"I am gratified that my secondhand cousins have been so highly honored.
+I'd rather see a good moving picture than the best play ever produced."
+
+"You'll see a good one this time," asserted Patsy, "for we are the
+stars."
+
+"I think that unscrupulous Mr. Werner deserves a reprimand," said Louise.
+
+"Oh, he apologized," explained Beth. "But I'm sure he'd take the same
+liberty again if he had the chance."
+
+"He admits that his love of art destroys his sense of propriety,"
+said Patsy.
+
+As they rose from the table Arthur deliberately turned to view the party
+in the other corner, and then to the amazement of his friends he coolly
+walked over and shook the elder lady's hand with evident pleasure. Next
+moment he was being introduced to the two girls. The three cousins and
+their Uncle John walked out of the dining hall and awaited Arthur Weldon
+in the lobby.
+
+"It is some old acquaintance, of course," said Louise. "Arthur knows a
+tremendous lot of people and remembers everyone he ever has met."
+
+When he rejoined them he brought the lady and the two beautiful girls
+with him, introducing Mrs. Montrose as one of his former acquaintances in
+New York, where she had been a near neighbor to the Weldons. The girls,
+who proved to be her nieces instead of her daughters, were named Maud and
+Florence Stanton, Maud being about eighteen years of age and Florence
+perhaps fifteen. Maud's beauty was striking, as proved by Patsy's
+admiration at first sight; Florence was smaller and darker, yet very
+dainty and witching, like a Dresden shepherdess.
+
+The sisters proved rather shy at this first meeting, being content to
+exchange smiles with the other girls, but their aunt was an easy
+conversationalist and rambled on about the delights of Hollywood and
+southern California until they were all in a friendly mood. Among other
+things Mrs. Montrose volunteered the statement that they had been at the
+hotel for several weeks, but aside from that remark disclosed little of
+their personal affairs. Presently the three left the hotel and drove
+away in an automobile, having expressed a wish to meet their new friends
+again and become better acquainted with them.
+
+"I was almost startled at running across Mrs. Montrose out here," said
+Arthur. "After father's death, when I gave up the old home, I lost track
+of the Montroses; but I seem to remember that old Montrose went to the
+happy hunting grounds and left a widow, but no children. I imagine these
+people are wealthy, as Montrose was considered a successful banker. I'll
+write to Duggins and inquire about them."
+
+"Duggins seems to know everything," remarked Louise.
+
+"He keeps pretty good track of New York people, especially of the old
+families," replied her husband.
+
+"I can't see what their history matters to us," observed Patsy. "I like
+to take folks as I find them, without regard to their antecedents or
+finances. Certainly those Stanton girls are wonderfully attractive and
+ladylike."
+
+But now the baby claimed their attention and the rest of that day was
+passed in "visiting" and cuddling the wee Toodlums, who seemed to know
+her girl aunties and greeted them with friendly coos and dimpled smiles.
+
+On Sunday they took a motor trip through the mountain boulevards and on
+their way home passed the extensive enclosure of the Continental Film
+Company. A thriving village has been built up at this place, known as
+Film City, for many of those employed by the firm prefer to live close to
+their work. Another large "plant" of the same concern is located in the
+heart of Hollywood.
+
+As they passed through Film City Uncle John remarked:
+
+"We are invited to visit this place and witness the making of a motion
+picture. I believe it would prove an interesting sight."
+
+"Let us go, by all means," replied Arthur. "I am greatly interested in
+this new industry, which seems to me to be still in its infancy. The
+development of the moving picture is bound to lead to some remarkable
+things in the future, I firmly believe."
+
+"So do I," said Uncle John. "They'll combine the phonograph with the
+pictures, for one thing, so that the players, instead of being silent,
+will speak as clearly as in real life. Then we'll have the grand operas,
+by all the most famous singers, elaborately staged; and we'll be able to
+see and hear them for ten cents, instead of ten dollars. It will be the
+same with the plays of the greatest actors."
+
+"That would open up a curious complication," asserted Louise. "The operas
+would only be given once, before the camera and the recorder. Then what
+would happen to all the high-priced opera singers?"
+
+"They would draw royalties on all their productions, instead of
+salaries," replied Arthur.
+
+"Rather easy for the great artists!" observed Patsy. "One
+performance--and the money rolling in for all time to come."
+
+"Well, they deserve it," declared Beth. "And think of what the public
+would gain! Instead of having to suffer during the performances of
+incompetent actors and singers, as we do to-day, the whole world would be
+able to see and hear the best talent of the ages for an insignificant
+fee. I hope your prediction will come true, Uncle John."
+
+"It's bound to," he replied, with confidence. "I've read somewhere that
+Edison and others have been working on these lines for years, and
+although they haven't succeeded yet, anything possible in mechanics is
+bound to be produced in time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+AUNT JANE'S NIECES
+
+
+The picture, which was entitled "The Sacrifice," proved--to use Patsy's
+words--"a howling success." On Monday afternoons the little theatres are
+seldom crowded, so Mr. Merrick's party secured choice seats where they
+could observe every detail of the photography. The girls could not wait
+for a later performance, so eager were they to see themselves in a motion
+picture, nor were they disappointed to find they were a mere incident in
+the long roll of film.
+
+The story of the photo-play was gripping in its intensity, and since Mr.
+Werner had clearly explained the lesson it conveyed, they followed the
+plot with rapt attention. In the last scene their entrance and exit was
+transitory, but they were obliged to admit that their features were
+really expressive of fear. The next instant the wall fell, burying its
+victims, and this rather bewildered them when they remembered that fully
+half an hour had elapsed while the dummies were being placed in position,
+the real people removed from danger and preparations made to topple over
+the wall from the inside of the building. But the camera had been
+inactive during that period and so cleverly had the parts of the picture
+been united that no pause whatever was observable to the spectators.
+
+"My! what a stuffy place," exclaimed Louise, as they emerged into the
+light of day. "I cannot understand why it is necessary to have these
+moving picture theatres so gloomy and uncomfortable."
+
+"It isn't necessary," replied Uncle John. "It's merely a habit the
+builders have acquired. There seemed to be a total lack of ventilation in
+that place."
+
+"No one expects much for ten cents," Arthur reminded him. "If the
+pictures are good the public will stand for anything in the matter of
+discomfort."
+
+"Did you notice," said Patsy, slowly, "how many children there were in
+that theatre?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," answered Beth. "The pictures seem to be an ideal
+amusement for children. I do not suppose they can understand all the
+dramas and love stories, but the pictures entertain them, whatever the
+theme may be."
+
+"They are not allowed to go unless accompanied by a parent or guardian,"
+Arthur stated; "but I saw a group of eleven under the care of one
+cheery-looking old lady, so I suppose the little ones evade the law in
+that way."
+
+On Tuesday forenoon they drove to the office of the Continental Film
+Manufacturing Company and inquired for Mr. Werner. Every approach to the
+interior of the big stockade was closely guarded in order to prevent the
+curious from intruding, but Werner at once hurried out to greet them and
+escorted them into the enclosure.
+
+"You are just in time," said he, "to witness one of the scenes in our
+great picture, 'Samson and Delilah.' They're getting it on now, so you
+must hurry if you want to see the work. It's really the biggest thing our
+firm has ever turned out."
+
+They passed a group of low but extensive frame buildings, threading
+their way between them until finally they emerged within a large open
+space where huge frames covered with canvas were propped up in broad
+daylight and apparently in great disorder. Huddled here and there were
+groups of people wearing Oriental costumes of the Bible days, their
+skins stained brown, the make-up on their faces showing hideously in the
+strong light. A herd of meek donkeys, bearing burdens of faggots, was
+tethered near by.
+
+"Follow me closely," cautioned their guide, "so you will not step over
+the 'dead line' and get yourselves in the picture."
+
+"What is the 'dead line'?" inquired Uncle John.
+
+"The line that marks the limit of the camera's scope. Outside of that you
+are quite safe. You will notice it is plainly marked in chalk."
+
+They passed around to the front and were amazed at the picture disclosed
+by the reverse of the gaunt, skeleton-like framework. For now was
+displayed Solomon's temple in all its magnificence, with huge pillars
+supporting a roof that seemed as solid and substantial as stone and
+mortar could make it.
+
+The perspective was wonderful, for they could follow a line of vision
+through the broad temple to a passage beyond, along which was
+approaching a procession of priests, headed by dancing girls and
+musicians beating tomtoms and playing upon reeds. The entire scene was
+barbaric in its splendor and so impressive that they watched it
+spellbound, awed and silent.
+
+Yet here beside them was the motion-picture camera, clicking steadily
+away and operated by a man in his shirt-sleeves who watched the scene
+with sharp eyes, now frowning and now nodding approval. Beside him at
+times, but rushing from one point to another just outside the chalk-marks
+that indicated the "dead line," was the director of this production, who
+shouted commands in a nervous, excited manner and raged and tore his hair
+when anything went wrong.
+
+Something went very wrong presently, for the director blew a shrill blast
+on his whistle and suddenly everything stopped short. The camera man
+threw a cloth over his lenses and calmly lighted a cigarette. The
+procession halted in uncertainty and became a disordered rabble; but the
+director sprang into the open space and shouted at his actors and
+actresses in evident ill temper.
+
+"There it is again!" he cried. "Five hundred feet of good film, ruined by
+the stupidity of one person. Get out of that priest's robe, Higgins, and
+let Jackson take your place. Where's Jackson, anyhow?"
+
+"Here," answered a young man, stepping out from a group of spectators.
+
+"Do you know the work? Can you lead that procession into the temple so
+they will leave room for Delilah to enter, and not crowd her off the
+platform?" asked the director.
+
+Jackson merely nodded as he scrambled into the priest's robe which the
+discomfited Higgins resigned to him. Evidently the bungling actor was in
+disgrace, for he was told to go to the office and get his pay and then
+"clear out."
+
+So now the procession was sent back into the passage and rearranged in
+proper order; the signal was given to begin and in an instant the camera
+renewed its clicking as the operator slowly revolved the handle that
+carried the long strip of film past the lenses. The musicians played, the
+girls danced, the procession slowly emerged from the passage.
+
+This time it advanced properly and came to a halt just at the head of the
+staircase leading up to the entrance to the temple.
+
+"Delilah!" shouted the director, and now appeared a beautiful girl who
+made a low obeisance to the chief priest.
+
+"Why--goodness me!" cried Patsy. "It's--it's Maud Stanton!"
+
+"Nonsense!" returned Arthur, sharply; and then he looked again and drew a
+long breath; for unless it were indeed the elder niece of Mrs. Montrose,
+there must be two girls in the world identically alike.
+
+Mr. Werner settled the question by quietly remarking: "Of course it's
+Maud Stanton. She's our bright, particular star, you know, and the public
+would resent it if she didn't appear as the heroine of all our best
+pictures."
+
+"An actress!" exclaimed Arthur. "I--I didn't know that."
+
+"She and her sister Flo are engaged by us regularly," replied Werner,
+with an air of pride. "They cost us a lot of money, as you may imagine,
+but we can't afford to let any competitor have them."
+
+If Arthur Weldon felt any chagrin at this, discovery it was not in the
+least shared by the others of his party. Beth was admiring the young
+girl's grace and dignity; Patsy was delighted by her loveliness in the
+fleecy, picturesque costume she wore; Louise felt pride in the fact that
+she had been introduced to "a real actress," while Uncle John wondered
+what adverse fortune had driven this beautiful, refined girl to pose
+before a motion picture camera.
+
+They soon discovered Florence Stanton in the picture, too, among the
+dancing girls; so there could be no mistake of identity. Mrs. Montrose
+was not visible during the performance; but afterward, when Samson had
+pulled down the pillars of the temple and it had fallen in ruins, when
+the "show" was over and the actors trooping away to their
+dressing-rooms, then the visitors were ushered into the main office of
+the establishment to meet Mr. Goldstein, the manager, and seated by the
+window was the aunt of the two girls, placidly reading a book. She looked
+up with a smile as they entered.
+
+"Did you see the play?" she asked. "And isn't it grand and impressive? I
+hope you liked Maud's 'Delilah.' The poor child has worked so hard to
+create the character."
+
+They assured her the girl was perfect in her part, after which Mr.
+Merrick added: "I'm astonished you did not go out to see the play
+yourself."
+
+She laughed at his earnestness.
+
+"It's an old story to me," she replied, "for I have watched Maud rehearse
+her part many times. Also it is probable that some--if not all--of the
+scenes of 'Samson and Delilah' will be taken over and over, half a dozen
+times, before the director is satisfied."
+
+"The performance seemed quite perfect to-day," said Uncle John. "I
+suppose, Mrs. Montrose, you do not--er--er--act, yourself?"
+
+"Oh. I have helped out, sometimes, when a matronly personation is
+required, but my regular duties keep me busily engaged in the office."
+
+"May we ask what those duties are?" said Louise.
+
+"I'm the reader of scenarios."
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Patsy. "I'm sure we don't know any more than we
+did before."
+
+"A 'scenario,'" said the lady, "is a description of the plot for a
+photo-play. It is in manuscript form and hundreds of scenarios are
+submitted to us from every part of the country, and by people in all
+walks of life."
+
+"I shouldn't think you could use so many," said Beth.
+
+"We can't, my dear," responded the lady, laughing at her simplicity. "The
+majority of the scenarios we receive haven't a single idea that is worth
+considering. In most of the others the ideas are stolen, or duplicated
+from some other picture-play. Once in a while, however, we find a plot of
+real merit, and then we accept it and pay the author for it."
+
+"How much?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"So little that I am ashamed to tell you. Ideas are the foundation of
+our business, and without them we could not make successful films; but
+when Mr. Goldstein buys an idea he pays as little for it as possible, and
+the poor author usually accepts the pittance with gratitude."
+
+"We were a little surprised," Uncle John ventured to say, "to find you
+connected with this--er--institution. I suppose it's all right; but those
+girls--your nieces--"
+
+"Yes, they are motion picture actresses, and I am a play reader. It is
+our profession, Mr. Merrick, and we earn our living in this way. To be
+frank with you, I am very proud of the fact that my girls are popular
+favorites with the picture theatre audiences."
+
+"That they are, Mrs. Montrose!" said Goldstein, the manager, a lean
+little man, earnestly endorsing the statement; "and that makes them the
+highest priced stars in all our fourteen companies of players. But
+they're worth every cent we pay 'em--and I hope ev'rybody's satisfied."
+
+Mrs. Montrose paid little deference to the manager. "He is only a detail
+man," she explained when Goldstein had gone way, "but of course it is
+necessary to keep these vast and diverse interests running smoothly, and
+the manager has enough details on his mind to drive an ordinary mortal
+crazy. The successful scenario writers, who conceive our best plays, are
+the real heart of this business, and the next to them in importance are
+the directors, or producers, who exercise marvelous cleverness in staging
+the work of the authors."
+
+"I suppose," remarked Arthur Weldon, "it is very like a theatre."
+
+"Not so like as you might imagine," was the reply. "We employ scenery,
+costumes and actors, but not in ways theatrical, for all our work is
+subservient to the camera's eye and the requirements of photography."
+
+While they were conversing, the two Stanton girls entered the office,
+having exchanged their costumes for street clothes and washed the make-up
+from their faces, which were now fresh and animated.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Jane!" cried Flo, running to Mrs. Montrose, "we're dismissed
+for the day. Mr. McNeil intends to develop the films before we do
+anything more, and Maud and I want to spend the afternoon at the beach."
+
+The lady smiled indulgently as Maud quietly supported her sister's
+appeal, the while greeting her acquaintances of yesterday with her sweet,
+girlish charm of manner.
+
+"A half-holiday is quite unusual with us," she explained, "for it is the
+custom to hold us in readiness from sunrise to sunset, in case our
+services are required. An actress in a motion picture concern is the
+slave of her profession, but we don't mind the work so much as we do
+waiting around for orders."
+
+"Suppose we all drive to the beach together," suggested Mr. Merrick. "We
+will try to help you enjoy your holiday and it will be a rich treat to us
+to have your society."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Patsy Doyle. "I'm just crazy over this motion
+picture business and I want to ask you girls a thousand questions
+about it."
+
+They graciously agreed to the proposition and at once made preparations
+for the drive. Mrs. Montrose had her own automobile, but the party
+divided, the four young girls being driven by Mr. Merrick's chauffeur in
+his machine, while Uncle John, Arthur and Louise rode with Mrs. Montrose.
+
+It did not take the young people long to become acquainted, and the air
+of restraint that naturally obtained in the first moments gradually wore
+away. They were all in good spirits, anticipating a jolly afternoon at
+the ocean resorts, so when they discovered themselves to be congenial
+companions they lost no time in stilted phrases but were soon chattering
+away as if they had known one another for years.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A THRILLING RESCUE
+
+
+"It must be fine to be an actress," said Patsy Doyle, with enthusiasm.
+"If I had the face or the figure or the ability--all of which I sadly
+lack--I'd be an actress myself."
+
+"I suppose," replied Maud Stanton, thoughtfully, "it is as good a
+profession for a girl as any other. But the life is not one of play, by
+any means. We work very hard during the rehearsals and often I have
+become so weary that I feared I would drop to the ground in sheer
+exhaustion. Flo did faint, once or twice, during our first engagement
+with the Pictograph Company; but we find our present employers more
+considerate, and we have gained more importance than we had in the
+beginning."
+
+"It is dreadfully confining, though," remarked Florence, with a sigh.
+"Our hours are worse than those of shopgirls, for the early morning sun
+is the best part of the day for our work. Often we are obliged to reach
+the studio at dawn. To be sure, we have the evenings to ourselves, but we
+are then too tired to enjoy them."
+
+"Did you choose, this profession for amusement, or from necessity?"
+inquired Beth, wondering if the question sounded impertinent.
+
+"Stern necessity," answered Maud with a smile. "We had our living to
+earn."
+
+"Could not your aunt assist you?" asked Patsy.
+
+"Aunt Jane? Why, she is as poor as we are."
+
+"Arthur Weldon used to know the Montroses," said Beth, "and be believed
+Mr. Montrose left his widow a fortune."
+
+"He didn't leave a penny," asserted Florence. "Uncle was a stock gambler,
+and when he died he was discovered to be bankrupt."
+
+"I must explain to you," said Maud, "that our father and mother were both
+killed years ago in a dreadful automobile accident. Father left a small
+fortune to be divided between Flo and me, and appointed Uncle George our
+guardian. We were sent to a girls' school and nicely provided for until
+uncle's death, when it was found he had squandered our little inheritance
+as well as his own money."
+
+"That was hard luck," said Patsy sympathetically.
+
+"I am not so sure of that," returned the girl musingly. "Perhaps we are
+happier now than if we had money. Our poverty gave us dear Aunt Jane for
+a companion and brought us into a field of endeavor that has proved
+delightful."
+
+"But how in the world did you ever decide to become actresses, when so
+many better occupations are open to women?" inquired Beth.
+
+"Are other occupations so much better? A motion picture actress is quite
+different from the stage variety, you know. Our performances are all
+privately conducted, and although the camera is recording our actions it
+is not like being stared at by a thousand critical eyes."
+
+"A million eyes stare at the pictures," asserted Patsy.
+
+"But we are not there to be embarrassed by them," laughed Flo.
+
+"We have but one person to please," continued Maud, "and that is the
+director. If at first the scene is not satisfactory, we play it again and
+again, until it is quite correct. To us this striving for perfection is
+an art. We actors are mere details of an artistic conception. We have now
+been in Hollywood for five months, yet few people who casually notice us
+at the hotel or on the streets have any idea that we act for the
+'movies.' Sometimes we appear publicly in the streets, in characteristic
+costume, and proceed to enact our play where all may observe us; but
+there are so many picture companies in this neighborhood that we are no
+longer looked upon as a novelty and the people passing by pay little
+attention to us."
+
+"Were you in that picture of the falling wall?" asked Beth.
+
+"No. We were rehearsing for 'Samson and Delilah.' But sometimes we
+are called upon to do curious things. One night, not long ago, a big
+residence burned down in the foothills back of our hotel. At the
+first alarm of fire one of the directors wakened us and we jumped
+into our clothes and were whisked in an automobile to the scene of
+the conflagration. The camera-man was already there and, while we
+had to dodge the fire-fighters and the hose men, both Flo and I
+managed to be 'saved from the flames' by some of our actors--not
+once, but several times."
+
+"It must have been thrilling!" gasped Patsy.
+
+"It was exciting, at the moment," confessed Maud. "One of the pictures
+proved very dramatic, so an author wrote a story where at the climax a
+girl was rescued from the flames by her lover, and we took our time to
+act the several scenes that led up to the fire. The completed picture was
+a great success, I'm told."
+
+"Those directors must be wonderfully enterprising fellows," said Beth.
+
+"They are, indeed, constantly on the lookout for effects. Every incident
+that occurs in real life is promptly taken advantage of. The camera-men
+are everywhere, waiting for their chance. Often their pictures prove of
+no value and are destroyed, but sometimes the scenes they catch are very
+useful to work into a picture play. A few weeks ago I was shipwrecked on
+the ocean and saved by clinging to a raft. That was not pleasant and I
+caught a severe cold by being in the water too long; but I was chosen
+because I can swim. Such incidents are merely a part of our game--a game
+where personal comfort is frequently sacrificed to art. Once Flo leaped
+over a thirty-foot precipice and was caught in a net at the bottom. The
+net was, of course, necessary, but when the picture was displayed her
+terrible leap was followed by a view of her mangled body at the bottom of
+the canyon."
+
+"How did they manage to do that?" asked Patsy.
+
+"Stopped the camera, cut off the piece of film showing her caught by the
+net, and substituted a strip on which was recorded Flo's body lying among
+the jagged rocks, where it had been carefully and comfortably arranged.
+We do a lot of deceptive tricks of that sort, and sometimes I myself
+marvel at the natural effects obtained."
+
+"It must be more interesting than stage acting."
+
+"I believe it is. But we've never been on the stage," said Maud.
+
+"How did you happen to get started in such a queer business?"
+inquired Patsy.
+
+"Well, after we found ourselves poor and without resources we began
+wondering what we could do to earn money. A friend of Aunt Jane's knew a
+motion picture maker who wanted fifty young girls for a certain picture
+and would pay each of them five dollars a day. Flo and I applied for the
+job and earned thirty dollars between us; but then the manager thought he
+would like to employ us regularly, and with Auntie to chaperon us we
+accepted the engagement. The first few weeks we merely appeared among the
+rabble--something like chorus girls, you see--but then we were given
+small parts and afterward more important ones. When we discovered our own
+value to the film makers Auntie managed to get us better engagements, so
+we've acted for three different concerns during the past two years, while
+Aunt Jane has become noted as a clever judge of the merits of scenarios."
+
+"Do both of you girls play star parts?" Beth inquired.
+
+"Usually. Flo is considered the best 'child actress' in the business, but
+when there is no child part she makes herself useful in all sorts of
+ways. To-day, for instance, you saw her among the dancing girls. I do
+the ingenue, or young girl parts, which are very popular just now. I did
+not want to act 'Delilah,' for I thought I was not old enough; but Mr.
+McNeil wanted me in the picture and so I made myself took as mature as
+possible."
+
+"You were ideal!" cried Patsy, admiringly.
+
+The young girl blushed at this praise, but said deprecatingly:
+
+"I doubt if I could ever be a really great actress; but then, I do not
+intend to act for many more years. Our salary is very liberal at present,
+as Goldstein grudgingly informed you, and we are saving money. As soon as
+we think we have acquired enough to live on comfortably we shall abandon
+acting and live as other girls do."
+
+"The fact is," added Flo, "no one will employ us when we have lost our
+youth. So we are taking advantage of these few fleeting years to make hay
+while the sun shines."
+
+"Do many stage actresses go into the motion picture business?"
+asked Beth.
+
+"A few, but all are not competent," replied Maud. "In the 'silent drama'
+facial expression and the art of conveying information by a gesture is of
+paramount importance. In other words, action must do the talking and
+explain everything. I am told that some comedians, like 'Bunny' and
+Sterling Mace, were failures on the stage, yet in motion pictures they
+are great favorites. On the other hand, some famous stage actors can do
+nothing in motion pictures."
+
+On their arrival at Santa Monica Mr. Merrick invited the party to be his
+guests at luncheon, which was served in a cosy restaurant overlooking
+the ocean. And then, although at this season it was bleak winter back
+East, all but Uncle John and Aunt Jane took a bath in the surf of the
+blue Pacific, mingling with hundreds of other bathers who were enjoying
+the sport.
+
+Mrs. Montrose and Uncle John sat on the sands to watch the merry scene,
+while the young people swam and splashed about, and they seemed--as Miss
+Patsy slyly observed--to "get on very well together."
+
+"And that is very creditable to your aunt," she observed to Maud Stanton,
+who was beside her in the water, "for Uncle John is rather shy in the
+society of ladies and they find him hard to entertain."
+
+"He seems like a dear old gentleman," said Maud.
+
+"He is, indeed, the dearest in all the world. And, if he likes your Aunt
+Jane, that is evidence that she is all right, too; for Uncle John's
+intuition never fails him in the selection of friends. He--"
+
+"Dear me!" cried Maud; "there's someone in trouble, I'm sure."
+
+She was looking out across the waves, which were fairly high to-day, and
+Patsy saw her lean forward and strike out to sea with strokes of
+remarkable swiftness. Bathers were scattered thickly along the coast, but
+only a few had ventured far out beyond the life-lines, so Patsy naturally
+sought an explanation by gazing at those farthest out. At first she was
+puzzled, for all the venturesome seemed to be swimming strongly and
+composedly; but presently a dark form showed on the crest of a wave--a
+struggling form that tossed up its arms despairingly and then
+disappeared.
+
+She looked for Maud Stanton and saw her swimming straight out, but still
+a long way from the person in distress. Then Patsy, always quick-witted
+in emergencies, made a dash for the shore where a small boat was drawn up
+on the beach.
+
+"Come, Arthur, quick!" she cried to the young man, who was calmly wading
+near the beach, and he caught the note of terror in her voice and
+hastened to help push the little craft into the water.
+
+"Jump in!" she panted, "and row as hard as you ever rowed in all
+your life."
+
+Young Weldon was prompt to obey. He asked no useless questions but,
+realizing that someone was in danger, he pulled a strong, steady oar and
+let Patsy steer the boat.
+
+The laughter and merry shouts of the bathers, who were all unaware that a
+tragedy was developing close at hand, rang in the girl's ears as she
+peered eagerly ahead for a sign to guide her. Now she espied Maud
+Stanton, far out beyond the others, circling around and diving into this
+wave or that as it passed her.
+
+"Whoever it was," she muttered, half aloud, "is surely done for by this
+time. Hurry, Arthur! I'm afraid Maud has exhausted all her strength."
+
+But just then Maud dived again and when she reappeared was holding fast
+to something dark and inanimate. A moment later the boat swept to her
+side and she said:
+
+"Get him aboard, if you can. Don't mind me; I'm all right."
+
+Arthur reached down and drew a slight, boyish form over the gunwale,
+while Patsy clasped Maud's hand and helped the girl over the side. She
+was still strong, but panted from her exertions to support the boy.
+
+"Who is it?" inquired Patsy, as Arthur headed the boat for the shore.
+
+Maud shook her head, leaning forward to look at the face of the rescued
+one for the first time.
+
+"I've never seen him before," she said. "Isn't it too bad that I reached
+him too late?"
+
+Patsy nodded, gazing at the white, delicate profile of the young fellow
+as he lay lifeless at her feet. Too late, undoubtedly; and he was a mere
+boy, with all the interests of life just unfolding for him.
+
+Their adventure had now been noticed by some of the bathers, who crowded
+forward to meet the boat as it grounded on the beach. Uncle John, always
+keeping an eye on his beloved nieces, had noted every detail of the
+rescue and as a dozen strong men pulled the boat across the sands, beyond
+the reach of the surf, the Merrick automobile rolled up beside it.
+
+"Now, then!" cried the little man energetically, and with the assistance
+of his chauffeur he lifted the lifeless form into the car.
+
+"The hospital?" said Patsy, nodding approval.
+
+"Yes," he answered. "No; you girls can't come in your wet bathing suits.
+I'll do all that can be done."
+
+Even as he spoke the machine whirled away, and looking after it Maud
+said, shaking her head mildly: "I fear he's right. Little can be done for
+the poor fellow now."
+
+"Oh, lots can be done," returned Patsy; "but perhaps it won't bring him
+back to life. Anyhow, it's right to make every attempt, as promptly as
+possible, and certainly Uncle John didn't waste any time."
+
+Beth and Florence now joined them and Louise came running up to ask eager
+questions.
+
+"Who was it, Patsy?"
+
+"We don't know. Some poor fellow who got too far out and had a cramp,
+perhaps. Or his strength may have given out. He didn't seem very rugged."
+
+"He was struggling when first I saw him," said Maud. "It seemed dreadful
+to watch the poor boy drowning when hundreds of people were laughing and
+playing in the water within earshot of him."
+
+"That was the trouble," declared Arthur Weldon. "All those people were
+intent on themselves and made so much noise that his cries for help could
+not be heard."
+
+The tragedy, now generally known, had the effect of sobering the bathers
+and most of them left the water and trooped to the bathhouses to dress.
+Mrs. Montrose advised the girls to get their clothes on, as all were
+shivering--partly from nervousness--in their wet bathing suits.
+
+They were ready an hour before Mr. Merrick returned, and his long absence
+surprised them until they saw his smiling face as he drove up in his car.
+It gave them a thrill of hope as in chorus they cried:
+
+"Well--Uncle John?"
+
+"I think he will live," returned the little man, with an air of great
+satisfaction. "Anyway, he's alive and breathing now, and the doctors say
+there's every reason to expect a rapid recovery."
+
+"Who is he?" they asked, crowding around him.
+
+"A. Jones."
+
+"A--what?" This from Patsy, in a doubtful tone.
+
+"Jones. A. Jones."
+
+"Why, he must have given you an assumed name!"
+
+"He didn't give us any name. As soon as he recovered consciousness he
+fell asleep, and I left him slumbering as peacefully as a baby. But we
+went through his clothes, hoping to get a trace of his friends, so they
+could be notified. His bathing suit is his own, not rented, and the name
+'A. Jones' is embroidered on tape and sewn to each piece. Also the key to
+bathhouse number twenty-six was tied to his wrist. The superintendent
+sent a man for his clothing and we examined that, too. The letters 'A.J.'
+were stamped in gold on his pocketbook, and in his cardcase were a number
+of cards engraved: 'A. Jones, Sangoa.' But there were no letters, or any
+other papers."
+
+"Where is Sangoa?" inquired Beth.
+
+"No one seems to know," confessed Uncle John. "There was plenty of money
+in his pocket-book and he has a valuable watch, but no other jewelry.
+His clothes were made by a Los Angeles tailor, but when they called him
+up by telephone he knew nothing about his customer except that he had
+ordered his suit and paid for it in advance. He called for it three days
+ago, and carried it away with him, so we have no clue to the boy's
+dwelling place."
+
+"Isn't that a little strange--perhaps a little suspicious?" asked
+Mrs. Montrose.
+
+"I think not, ma'am," answered Mr. Merrick. "We made these
+investigations at the time we still feared he would die, so as to
+communicate with any friends or relatives he might have. But after he
+passed the crisis so well and fell asleep, the hospital people stopped
+worrying about him. He seems like any ordinary, well-to-do young
+fellow, and a couple of days in the hospital ought to put him upon his
+feet again."
+
+"But Sangoa, Uncle; is that a town or a country?"
+
+"Some out-of-the-way village, I suppose. People are here from every crack
+and corner of America, you know."
+
+"It sounds a bit Spanish," commented Arthur. "Maybe he is from Mexico."
+
+"Maybe," agreed Uncle John. "Anyhow, Maud has saved his life, and if it's
+worth anything to him he ought to be grateful."
+
+"Never mind that," said Maud, flushing prettily with embarrassment as all
+eyes turned upon her, "I'm glad I noticed him in time; but now that he is
+all right he need never know who it was that rescued him. And, for that
+matter, sir, Patsy Doyle and Mr. Weldon did as much for him as I.
+Perhaps they saved us both, while your promptness in getting him to the
+hospital was the main factor in saving his life."
+
+"Well, it's all marked down in the hospital books," remarked Uncle John.
+"I had to tell the whole story, you see, as a matter of record, and all
+our names are there, so none can escape the credit due her--or him."
+
+"In truth," said Mrs. Montrose with a smile, "it really required four of
+you to save one slender boy."
+
+"Yes, he needed a lot of saving," laughed Flo. "But," her pretty face
+growing more serious, "I believe it was all Fate, and nothing else. Had
+we not come to the beach this afternoon, the boy might have drowned; so,
+as I suggested the trip, I'm going to take a little credit myself."
+
+"Looking at it in that light," said Patsy, "the moving picture man saved
+the boy's life by giving you a half-holiday."
+
+This caused a laugh, for their spirits were now restored to normal. To
+celebrate the occasion, Mr. Merrick proposed to take them all into Los
+Angeles to dine at a "swell restaurant" before returning to Hollywood.
+
+This little event, in conjunction with the afternoon's adventure, made
+them all more intimate, so that when they finally reached home and
+separated for the night they felt like old friends rather than recent
+acquaintances.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A. JONES
+
+
+There was work for the Stanton girls at the "film factory," as they
+called it, next morning, so they had left the hotel before Mr. Merrick's
+party assembled at the breakfast table.
+
+"I must telephone the Santa Monica hospital and find out how our patient
+is," remarked Uncle John, when the meal was over; but presently he
+returned from the telephone booth with a puzzled expression upon his
+face. "A. Jones has disappeared!" he announced.
+
+"Disappeared! What do you mean, Uncle?" asked Beth.
+
+"He woke early and declared he was himself again, paid his bill, said
+'good morning' to the hospital superintendent and walked away. He
+wouldn't answer questions, but kept asking them. The nurse showed him the
+book with the record of how he was saved, but she couldn't induce him to
+say who he was, where he came from nor where he was going. Seems a little
+queer, doesn't it?"
+
+They all confessed that it did.
+
+"However," said Patsy Doyle, "I'm glad he recovered, and I'm sure Maud
+will be when she hears the news. The boy has a perfect right to keep his
+own counsel, but he might have had the grace to tell us what that initial
+'A.' stands for, and where on earth Sangoa is."
+
+"I've been inquiring about Sangoa," announced Arthur, just then joining
+the group, "and no one seems wiser than we are. There's no record of such
+a town or state in Mexico, or in the United States--so far as I can
+discover. The clerk has sent for a map of Alaska, and perhaps we'll find
+Sangoa there."
+
+"What does it matter?" inquired Louise.
+
+"Why, we don't like to be stumped," asserted Patsy, "that's all. Here is
+a young man from Sangoa, and--"
+
+"Really," interrupted Beth, who was gazing through the window, "I believe
+here _is_ the young man from Sangoa!"
+
+"Where?" they all cried, crowding forward to look.
+
+"Coming up the walk. See! Isn't that the same mysterious individual whose
+life Maud saved?"
+
+"That's the identical mystery," declared Uncle John. "I suppose he has
+come here to look us up and thank us."
+
+"Then, for heaven's sake, girls, pump him and find out where Sangoa is,"
+said Arthur hastily, and the next moment a bell boy approached their
+party with a card.
+
+They looked at the young fellow curiously as he came toward them. He
+seemed not more than eighteen years of age and his thin features wore a
+tired expression that was not the result of his recent experience but
+proved to be habitual. His manner was not languid, however, but rather
+composed; at the same time he held himself alert, as if constantly on his
+guard. His dress was simple but in good taste and he displayed no
+embarrassment as he greeted the party with a low bow.
+
+"Ah," said Uncle John, heartily shaking his hand, "I am delighted to
+find you so perfectly recovered."
+
+A slight smile, sad and deprecating, flickered for an instant over his
+lips. It gave the boyish face a patient and rather sweet expression as he
+slowly replied:
+
+"I am quite myself to-day, sir, and I have come to assure you of my
+gratitude for your rescue of me yesterday. Perhaps it wasn't worth all
+your bother, but since you generously took the trouble to save me, the
+least I can do is to tender you my thanks." Here he looked from one to
+another of the three girls and continued: "Please tell me which young
+lady swam to my assistance."
+
+"Oh, it was none of us," said Patsy. "Miss Stanton--Maud Stanton--swam
+out to you, when she noticed you were struggling, and kept you afloat
+until we--until help came."
+
+"And Miss Stanton is not here?"
+
+"Not at present, although she is staying at this hotel."
+
+He gravely considered this information for a moment. As he stood there,
+swaying slightly, he appeared so frail and delicate that Uncle John
+seized his arm and made him sit down in a big easy chair. The boy sighed,
+took a memorandum from his pocket and glanced at it.
+
+"Miss Doyle and Mr. Weldon pulled out in a boat and rescued both Miss
+Stanton and me, just as we were about to sink," he said. "Tell me,
+please, if either Miss Doyle or Mr. Weldon is present."
+
+"I am Arthur Weldon," said that young gentleman; "but I was merely the
+boatman, under command of Miss Doyle, whom I beg to present to you."
+
+A. Jones looked earnestly into Patsy's face. Holding out his hand he
+said with his odd smile: "Thank you." Then he turned to shake Arthur's
+hand, after which he continued: "I also am indebted to Mr. Merrick for
+carrying me to the hospital. The doctor told me that only this prompt
+action enabled them to resuscitate me at all. And now, I believe it
+would be courteous for me to tell you who I am and how I came to be in
+such dire peril."
+
+He paused to look around him questioningly and the interest on every
+face was clearly evident. Arthur took this opportunity to introduce Jones
+to Louise and Beth and then they all sat down again. Said Uncle John to
+the stranger, in his frank and friendly way:
+
+"Tell us as much or as little as you like, my boy. We are not unduly
+inquisitive, I assure you."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I am an American, and my name is Jones. That is, I may
+claim American parentage, although I was born upon a scarcely known
+island in the Pacific which my father purchased from the government of
+Uruguay some thirty years ago."
+
+"Sangoa?" asked Arthur.
+
+He seemed surprised at the question but readily answered:
+
+"Yes; Sangoa. My father was a grandnephew of John Paul Jones and very
+proud of the connection; but instead of being a sailor he was a
+scientist, and he chose to pass his life in retirement from the world."
+
+"Your father is no longer living, then?" said Mr. Merrick.
+
+"He passed away a year ago, on his beloved island. My mother died
+several years before him. I began to feel lonely at Sangoa and I was
+anxious to visit America, of which my mother had so often told me. So
+some months ago I reached San Francisco, since when I have been traveling
+over your country--my country, may I call it?--and studying your modern
+civilization. In New York I remained fully three months. It is only about
+ten days since I returned to this coast."
+
+He stopped abruptly, as if he considered he had told enough. The brief
+recital had interested his auditors, but the ensuing pause was rather
+embarrassing.
+
+"I suppose you have been visiting relatives of your parents," remarked
+Uncle John, to ease the situation.
+
+"They--had no relatives that I know of," he returned. "I am quite alone
+in the world. You must not suppose I am unaccustomed to the water," he
+hastened to add, as if to retreat from an unpleasant subject. "At Sangoa
+I have bathed in the sea ever since I can remember anything; but--I am
+not in good health. I suffer from indigestion, a chronic condition,
+which is my incubus. Yesterday my strength suddenly deserted me and I
+became helpless."
+
+"How fortunate it was that Maud noticed you!" exclaimed Patsy, with
+generous sympathy.
+
+Again the half sad smile softened his face as he looked at her.
+
+"I am not sure it was wholly fortunate for me," he said, "although I
+admit I have no wish to end my uninteresting life by drowning. I am not a
+misanthrope, in spite of my bad stomach. The world is more useful to me
+than I am to the world, but that is not my fault. Pardon me for talking
+so much about myself."
+
+"Oh, we are intensely interested, I assure you," replied Patsy. "If some
+of us were indeed the instruments that saved you yesterday, it is a
+pleasure to us to know something of the--the man--we saved."
+
+She had almost said "boy," he was such a youthful person, and he knew it
+as well as she did.
+
+"I would like to meet Miss Stanton and thank her personally," he
+presently resumed. "So, if you have no objection, I think I shall
+register at this hotel and take a room. I--I am not very strong yet, but
+perhaps Miss Stanton will see me when I have rested a little."
+
+"She won't return before five o'clock," explained Mr. Merrick. "Miss
+Stanton is--er--connected with a motion picture company, you know, and is
+busy during the day."
+
+He seemed both surprised and perplexed, at first, but after a moment's
+thought he said:
+
+"She is an actress, then?"
+
+"Yes; she and her sister. They have with them an aunt, Mrs. Montrose, for
+companion."
+
+"Thank you. Then I will try to meet them this evening."
+
+As he spoke he rose with some difficulty and bade them adieu. Arthur went
+with him to the desk and proffered his assistance, but the young man said
+he needed nothing but rest.
+
+"And just think of it," said Patsy, when he had gone. "We don't know yet
+what that 'A' stands for!"
+
+"Arthur," suggested Louise.
+
+"Albert," said Beth.
+
+"Or Algernon," added Uncle John with a chuckle.
+
+"But we haven't seen the last of him yet," declared Miss Doyle. "I've a
+romance all plotted, of which A. Jones is to be the hero. He will fall in
+love with Maud and carry her away to his island!"
+
+"I'm not so sure of that result," observed Uncle John thoughtfully. "It
+wouldn't astonish me to have him fall in love with Maud Stanton; we've
+all done that, you know; but could Maud--could any girl--be attracted by
+a lean, dismal boy with a weak stomach, such as A. Jones?"
+
+"Even with these drawbacks he is quite interesting," asserted Beth.
+
+"He is sure to win her sympathy," said Louise.
+
+"But, above all," declared Patsy, "he has an island, inherited from his
+royal daddy. That island would count for a lot, with any girl!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE INVALID
+
+
+The girls intercepted Maud Stanton when she returned to the hotel that
+evening, and told her all about A. Jones. The tale was finished long
+before that dyspeptic youth had wakened from his slumbers. Then they all
+dressed for dinner and afterward met in the lobby, where Uncle John told
+them he had arranged to have a big round table prepared for the entire
+party, including a seat for A. Jones, who might like to join them.
+
+However, the young man did not make his appearance, and as they trooped
+into the dining room Patsy said resentfully:
+
+"I believe A. Jones is in a trance and needs rolling on a barrel again."
+
+"He probably found himself too weak to appear in public," replied Flo
+Stanton. "I'm sure if I had been all but drowned a few hours ago, I would
+prefer bed to society."
+
+"I'm astonished that he summoned energy to visit us at all," declared
+Mrs. Montrose. "He may be weak and ill, but at least he is grateful."
+
+"Jones seems a vary gentlemanly young fellow," said Mr. Merrick. "He is a
+bit shy and retiring, which is perhaps due to his lonely life on his
+island; but I think he has been well brought up."
+
+As they came out from dinner they observed the porters wheeling several
+big trunks up the east corridor. The end of each trunk was lettered:
+"A. Jones."
+
+"Well," said Beth, with an amused smile, "he intends to stay a while,
+anyhow. You'll have a chance to meet him yet, Maud."
+
+"I'm glad of that," answered Maud, "for I am anxious to calculate the
+worth of the life I helped to save. Your reports are ambiguous, and I am
+undecided whether you are taking the boy seriously or as a joke. From
+your description of his personal appearance, I incline to the belief that
+under ordinary circumstances I would not look twice at Mr. Jones, but
+having been partly instrumental in preserving him to the world, I
+naturally feel a proprietary interest in him."
+
+"Of course," said Flo. "He's worth one look, out of pure curiosity; but
+it would be dreadful to have him tagging you around, expressing his
+everlasting gratitude."
+
+"I don't imagine he'll do that," observed Patsy Doyle. "A. Jones strikes
+me as having a fair intellect in a shipwrecked body, and I'll wager a
+hatpin against a glove-buttoner that he won't bore you. At the same time
+he may not interest you--or any of us--for long, unless he develops
+talents we have not discovered. I wonder why he doesn't use his whole
+name. That mystic 'A' puzzles me."
+
+"It's an English notion, I suppose," said Mrs. Montrose.
+
+"But he isn't English; he's American."
+
+"Sangoese," corrected Beth.
+
+"Perhaps he doesn't like his name, or is ashamed of it," suggested
+Uncle John.
+
+"It may be 'Absalom,'" said Flo. "We once knew an actor named Absalom,
+and he always called himself 'A. Judson Keith.' He was a dignified chap,
+and when we girls one day called him 'Ab,' he nearly had hysterics."
+
+"Mr. Werner had hysterics to-day," asserted Maud, gravely; "but I didn't
+blame him. He sent out a party to ride down a steep hill on horseback, as
+part of a film story, and a bad accident resulted. One of the horses
+stepped in a gopher hole and fell, and a dozen others piled up on him,
+including their riders."
+
+"How dreadful!" was the general exclamation.
+
+"Several of the horses broke their legs and had to be shot," continued
+Maud; "but none of the riders was seriously injured except little
+Sadie Martin, who was riding a bronco. The poor thing was caught under
+one of the animals and the doctor says she won't be able to work again
+for months."
+
+"Goodness me! And all for the sake of a picture?" cried Patsy
+indignantly. "I hope you don't take such risks, Maud."
+
+"No; Flo and I have graduated from what is called 'the bronco bunch,' and
+now do platform work entirely. To be sure we assume some minor risks in
+that, but nothing to compare with the other lines of business."
+
+"I hope the little girl you mentioned will get well, and has enough money
+to tide her over this trouble," said Uncle John anxiously.
+
+"The manager will look after her," returned Mrs. Montrose. "Our people
+are very good about that and probably Sadie Martin's salary will continue
+regularly until she is able to work again."
+
+"Well," said Beth, drawing a long breath, "I suppose we shall read all
+about it in the morning papers."
+
+"Oh, no!" exclaimed Maud and added: "These accidents never get into the
+papers. They happen quite often, around Los Angeles, where ten thousand
+or more people make their living from motion pictures; but the public is
+protected from all knowledge of such disasters, which would detract from
+their pleasure in pictures and perhaps render all films unpopular."
+
+"I thought the dear public loved the dare-devil acts," remarked
+Arthur Weldon.
+
+"Oh, it does," agreed Mrs. Montrose; "yet those who attend the picture
+theatres seem not to consider the action taking place before their eyes
+to be real. Here are pictures only--a sort of amplified story book--and
+the spectators like them exciting; but if they stopped to reflect that
+men and women in the flesh were required to do these dangerous feats for
+their entertainment, many would be too horrified to enjoy the scenes. Of
+course the makers of the pictures guard their actors in all possible
+ways; yet, even so, casualties are bound to occur."
+
+They had retired to a cosy corner of the public drawing room and were
+conversing on this interesting topic when they espied A. Jones walking
+toward them. The youth was attired in immaculate evening dress, but his
+step was slow and dragging and his face pallid.
+
+Arthur and Uncle John drew up an easy chair for him while Patsy performed
+the introductions to Mrs. Montrose and her nieces. Very earnestly the boy
+grasped the hand of the young girl who had been chiefly responsible for
+his rescue, thanking her more by his manner than in his few carefully
+chosen words.
+
+As for Maud, she smilingly belittled her effort, saying lightly: "I
+know I must not claim that it didn't amount to anything, for your life is
+valuable, Mr. Jones, I'm sure. But I had almost nothing to do beyond
+calling Patsy Doyle's attention to you and then swimming out to keep you
+afloat until help came. I'm a good swimmer, so it was not at all
+difficult."
+
+"Moreover," he added, "you would have done the same thing for anyone in
+distress."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"I realize that. I am quite a stranger to you. Nevertheless, my gratitude
+is your due and I hope you will accept it as the least tribute I can pay
+you. Of all that throng of bathers, only you noticed my peril and came to
+my assistance."
+
+"Fate!" whispered Flo impressively.
+
+"Nonsense," retorted her sister. "I happened to be the only one looking
+out to sea. I think, Mr. Jones, you owe us apologies more than gratitude,
+for your folly was responsible for the incident. You were altogether too
+venturesome. Such action on this coast, where the surf rolls high and
+creates an undertow, is nothing less than foolhardy."
+
+"I'm sure you are right," he admitted. "I did not know this coast, and
+foolishly imagined the old Pacific, in which I have sported and played
+since babyhood, was my friend wherever I found it."
+
+"I hope you are feeling better and stronger this evening," said Mr.
+Merrick. "We expected you to join us at dinner."
+
+"I--I seldom dine in public," he explained, flushing slightly. "My
+bill-of-fare is very limited, you know, owing to my--my condition; and so
+I carry my food-tablets around with me, wherever I go, and eat them in my
+own room."
+
+"Food-tablets!" cried Patsy, horrified.
+
+"Yes. They are really wafers--very harmless--and I am permitted to eat
+nothing else."
+
+"No wonder your stomach is bad and you're a living skeleton!" asserted
+the girl, with scorn.
+
+"My dear," said Uncle John, gently chiding her, "we must give Mr. Jones
+the credit for knowing what is best for him."
+
+"Not me, sir!" protested the boy, in haste. "I'm very ignorant
+about--about health, and medicine and the like. But in New York I
+consulted a famous doctor, and he told me what to do."
+
+"That's right," nodded the old gentleman, who had never been ill in his
+life. "Always take the advice of a doctor, listen to the advice of a
+lawyer, and refuse the advise of a banker. That's worldly wisdom."
+
+"Were you ill when you left your home?" inquired Mrs. Montrose, looking
+at the young man with motherly sympathy.
+
+"Not when I left the island," he said. "I was pretty well up to that
+time. But during the long ocean voyage I was terribly sick, and by the
+time we got to San Francisco my stomach was a wreck. Then I tried to eat
+the rich food at your restaurants and hotels--we live very plainly in
+Sangoa, you know--and by the time I got to New York I was a confirmed
+dyspeptic and suffering tortures. Everything I ate disagreed with me. So
+I went to a great specialist, who has invented these food tablets for
+cases just like mine, and he ordered me to eat nothing else."
+
+"And are you better?" asked Maud.
+
+He hesitated.
+
+"Sometimes I imagine I am. I do not suffer so much pain, but I--I seem
+to grow weaker all the time."
+
+"No wonder!" cried Patsy. "If you starve yourself you can't grow strong."
+
+He looked at her with an expression of surprise. Then he asked abruptly:
+
+"What would you advise me to do, Miss Doyle?"
+
+A chorus of laughter greeted this question. Patsy flushed a trifle but
+covered her confusion by demanding: "Would you follow my advice?"
+
+He made a little grimace. There was humor in the boy, despite his
+dyspepsia.
+
+"I understand there is a law forbidding suicide," he replied. "But I
+asked your advice in an attempt to discover what you thought of my absurd
+condition. Now that you call my attention to it, I believe I _am_
+starving myself. I need stronger and more nourishing food; and yet the
+best specialist in your progressive country has regulated my diet."
+
+"I don't believe much in specialists," asserted Patsy. "If _you_ do, go
+ahead and kill yourself, in defiance of the law. According to common
+sense you ought to eat plenty of good, wholesome food, but you may be so
+disordered--in your interior--that even that would prove fatal. So I
+won't recommend it."
+
+"I'm doomed, either way," he said quietly. "I know that."
+
+"_How_ do you know it?" demanded Maud in a tone of resentment.
+
+He was silent a moment. Then he replied:
+
+"I cannot remember how we drifted into this very personal argument. It
+seems wrong for me to be talking about myself to those who are
+practically strangers, and you will realize how unused I am to the
+society of ladies by considering my rudeness in this interview."
+
+"Pshaw!" exclaimed Uncle John; "we are merely considering you as a
+friend. You must believe that we are really interested in you," he
+continued, laying a kindly hand on the young fellow's shoulder. "You seem
+in a bad way, it's true, but your condition is far from desperate.
+Patsy's frankness--it's her one fault and her chief virtue--led you to
+talk about yourself, and I'm surprised to find you so despondent
+and--and--what do you call it, Beth?"
+
+"Pessimistic?"
+
+"That's it--pessimistic."
+
+"But you're wrong, sir!" said the boy with a smile; "I may not be elated
+over my fatal disease, but neither am I despondent. I force myself to
+keep going when I wonder how the miserable machine responds to my urging,
+and I shall keep it going, after a fashion, until the final breakdown.
+Fate weaves the thread of our lives, I truly believe, and she didn't use
+very good material when she started mine. But that doesn't matter," he
+added quickly. "I'm trying to do a little good as I go along and not
+waste my opportunities. I'm obeying my doctor's orders and facing the
+future with all the philosophy I can summon. So now, if you--who have
+given me a new lease of life--think I can use it to any better advantage,
+I am willing to follow your counsel."
+
+His tone was more pathetic than his words. Maud, as she looked at the boy
+and tried to realize that his days were numbered, felt her eyes fill
+with tears. Patsy sniffed scornfully, but said nothing. It was Beth who
+remarked with an air of unconcern that surprised those who knew her
+unsympathetic nature:
+
+"It would be presumptuous for us to interfere, either with Fate or with
+Nature. You're probably dead wrong about your condition, for a sick
+person has no judgment whatever, but I've noticed the mind has a good
+deal to do with one's health. If you firmly believe you're going to die,
+why, what can you expect?"
+
+No one cared to contradict this and a pause followed that was growing
+awkward when they were all aroused by the sound of hasty footsteps
+approaching their corner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE MAGIC OF A NAME
+
+
+The newcomer proved to be Goldstein, the manager of the Continental.
+His face was frowning and severe as he rudely marched up to the group
+and, without the formality of a greeting, pointedly addressed the
+Stanton girls.
+
+"What does it mean?" he demanded in evident excitement, for his voice
+shook and the accusing finger he held out trembled. "How does it happen
+that my people, under contract to work for the Continental, are working
+for other firms?"
+
+Maud paled and her eyes glistened with resentment as she rose and faced
+her manager. Florence pulled her sister's sleeve and said with a forced
+laugh: "Sit down, Maud; the man has probably been drinking."
+
+He turned on the young girl fiercely, but now it was Arthur Weldon who
+seized the manager's arm and whirled him around.
+
+"Sir, you are intruding," he said sternly. "If you have business with
+these ladies, choose the proper time and place to address them."
+
+"I have!" cried Goldstein, blusteringly. "They have treated me
+shamefully--unprofessionally! They have played me a trick, and I've the
+right to demand why they are working for a rival firm while in my pay."
+
+Mrs. Montrose now arose and said with quiet dignity:
+
+"Mr. Goldstein, you are intruding, as Mr. Weldon says. But you have said
+so much to defame my nieces in the eyes of our friends, here assembled,
+that you must explain yourself more fully."
+
+The manager seemed astonished by his reception. He looked from one to
+another and said more mildly:
+
+"It is easy enough for _me_ to explain, but how can the Stantons explain
+their conduct? They are under contract to act exclusively for the
+Continental Film Company and I pay them a liberal salary. Yet only
+yesterday, when I was kind enough to give them a holiday, they went down
+to the beach and posed for a picture for our rivals, the Corona
+Company!"
+
+"You are mistaken, sir!" retorted Arthur. "The young ladies were in our
+company the entire afternoon and they did not pose for any picture
+whatever."
+
+"Don't tell me!" cried Goldstein. "I've just seen the picture down town.
+I was going by one of the theatres when I noticed a placard that read:
+'Sensational Film by Maud Stanton, the Queen of Motion Picture Actresses,
+entitled "A Gallant Rescue!" First run to-night.' I went in and saw the
+picture--with my own eyes!--and I saw Maud Stanton in a sea scene,
+rescuing a man who was drowning. Don't deny it, Miss," he added, turning
+upon Maud fiercely. "I saw it with my own eyes--not an hour ago!"
+
+After a moment's amazed silence his hearers broke into a chorus of
+laughter, led by Flo, who was almost hysterical. Even A. Jones smiled
+indulgently upon the irate manager, who was now fairly bristling with
+indignation.
+
+"The Corona people," remarked Arthur Weldon, "are quite enterprising. I
+did not know they had a camera-man at the beach yesterday, but he must
+have secured a very interesting picture. It was not posed, Mr. Goldstein,
+but taken from life."
+
+"It was Maud Stanton!" asserted, the manager.
+
+"Yes; she and some others. A man was really drowning and the brave girl
+swam to his rescue, without a thought of posing."
+
+"I don't believe it!" cried the man rudely.
+
+Here A. Jones struggled to his feet.
+
+"It is true," he said. "I was the drowning man whom Miss Stanton saved."
+
+Goldstein eyed him shrewdly.
+
+"Perhaps you were," he admitted, "for the man in the picture was about
+your style of make-up. But how can you prove it was not a put-up job with
+the Corona people? How do I know you are not all in the employ of the
+Corona people?"
+
+"I give you my word."
+
+"Pah! I don't know you."
+
+"I see you don't," returned the youth stiffly.
+
+"Here is my card. Perhaps you will recognize the name."
+
+He fumbled in his pocket, took out a card and handed it to the manager.
+Goldstein looked at it, started, turned red and then white and began
+bobbing his head with absurd deference to the youth.
+
+"Pardon, Mr. Jones--pardon!" he gasped. "I--I heard you were in our
+neighborhood, but I--I did not recognize you. I--I hope you will pardon
+me, Mr. Jones! I was angry at what I supposed was the treachery of an
+employee. You will--will--understand that, I am sure. It is my duty to
+protect the interests of the Continental, you know, sir. But it's all
+right now, of course! Isn't it all right now, Mr. Jones?"
+
+"You'd better go, Goldstein," said the boy in a weary tone, and sat
+down again.
+
+The manager hesitated. Then he bowed to Maud Stanton and to the others,
+murmuring:
+
+"All a mistake, you see; all a mistake. I--I beg everybody's pardon."
+
+With this he backed away, still bowing, and finally turned and beat a
+hasty retreat. But no one was noticing him especially. All eyes were
+regarding the boy with a new curiosity.
+
+"That Goldstein is an ill-bred boor!" remarked Uncle John in an
+annoyed tone.
+
+"I suppose," said Maud, slowly, "he thought he was right in demanding an
+explanation. There is great rivalry between the various film
+manufacturers and it was rather mean of the Corona to put my name on
+that placard."
+
+"It's wonderful!" exclaimed Patsy. "How did they get the picture, do
+you suppose?"
+
+"They have camera-men everywhere, looking for some picture worth while."
+explained Mrs. Montrose. "If there's a fire, the chances are a camera-man
+is on the spot before the firemen arrive. If there's an accident, it is
+often caught by the camera before the victim realizes what has happened.
+Perhaps a camera-man has been at the beach for weeks, waiting patiently
+for some tragedy to occur. Anyway, he was on hand yesterday and quietly
+ran his film during the excitement of the rescue. He was in rare luck to
+get Maud, because she is a favorite with the public; but it was not fair
+to connect her name with the picture, when they know she is employed by
+the Continental."
+
+Young Jones rose from his chair with a gesture of weariness.
+
+"If you will excuse me," he said, "I will go to my room. Our little
+conversation has given me much pleasure; I'm so alone in the world.
+Perhaps you will allow me to join you again--some other time?"
+
+They hastened to assure him his presence would always be welcome. Patsy
+even added, with her cheery smile, that they felt a certain
+proprietorship in him since they had dragged him from a watery grave. The
+boy showed, as he walked away, that he was not yet very steady on his
+feet, but whether the weakness was the result of his malady or his recent
+trying experience they could not determine.
+
+"What staggers me," said Maud, looking after him, "is the effect his name
+had on Goldstein, who has little respect or consideration for anyone. Who
+do you suppose A. Jones is?"
+
+"Why, he has told us," replied Louise. "He is an islander, on his first
+visit to this country."
+
+"He must be rather more than that," declared Arthur. "Do you remember
+what the manager said to him?"
+
+"Yes," said Beth. "He had heard that A. Jones was in this neighborhood,
+but had never met him. A. Jones was a person of sufficient importance
+to make the general manager of the Continental Film Company tremble in
+his boots."
+
+"He really did tremble," asserted Patsy, "and he was abject in his
+apologies."
+
+"Showing," added Flo Stanton, "that Goldstein is afraid of him."
+
+"I wonder why," said Maud.
+
+"It is all very easy of solution," remarked Arthur. "Goldstein believes
+that Jones is in the market to buy films. Perhaps he's going to open a
+motion picture theatre on his island. So the manager didn't want to
+antagonize a good customer."
+
+"That's it," said Uncle John, nodding approval. "There's no great mystery
+about young Jones, I'm sure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+DOCTOR PATSY
+
+
+Next morning Uncle John and the Weldons--including the precious
+baby--went for a ride into the mountains, while Beth and Patsy took their
+embroidery into a sunny corner of the hotel lobby.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock when A. Jones discovered the two girls and came
+tottering toward them. Tottering is the right word; he fairly swayed as
+he made his way to the secluded corner.
+
+"I wish he'd use a cane," muttered Beth in an undertone. "I have the
+feeling that he's liable to bump his nose any minute."
+
+Patsy drew up a chair for him, although he endeavored to prevent her.
+
+"Are you feeling better this morning?" she inquired.
+
+"I--I think so," he answered doubtfully. "I don't seem to get back my
+strength, you see."
+
+"Were you stronger before your accident?" asked Beth.
+
+"Yes, indeed. I went swimming, you remember. But perhaps I was not
+strong enough to do that. I--I'm very careful of myself, yet I seem to
+grow weaker all the time."
+
+There was a brief silence, during which the girls plied their needles.
+
+"Are you going to stay in this hotel?" demanded Patsy, in her blunt way.
+
+"For a time, I think. It is very pleasant here," he said.
+
+"Have you had breakfast?"
+
+"I took a food-tablet at daybreak."
+
+"Huh!" A scornful exclamation. Then she glanced at the open door of
+the dining-hall and laying aside her work she rose with a determined
+air and said:
+
+"Come with me!"
+
+"Where?"
+
+For answer she assisted him to rise. Then she took his hand and marched
+him across the lobby to the dining room.
+
+He seemed astonished at this proceeding but made no resistance. Seated
+at a small table she called a waitress and said:
+
+"Bring a cup of chocolate, a soft-boiled egg and some toast."
+
+"Pardon me, Miss Doyle," he said; "I thought you had breakfasted."
+
+"So I have," she replied. "The breakfast I've ordered is for you, and
+you're going to eat it if I have to ram it down your throat."
+
+"But--Miss Doyle!"
+
+"You've told us you are doomed. Well, you're going to die with a
+full stomach."
+
+"But the doctor--"
+
+"Bother the doctor! I'm your doctor, now, and I won't send in a bill,
+thank your stars."
+
+He looked at her with his sad little smile.
+
+"Isn't this a rather high-handed proceeding, Miss Doyle?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"I haven't employed you as my physician, you know."
+
+"True. But you've deliberately put yourself in my power."
+
+"How?"
+
+"In the first place, you tagged us here to this hotel."
+
+"You don't mind, do you?"
+
+"Not in the least. It's a public hostelry. In the second place, you
+confided to us your disease and your treatment of it--which was really
+none of our business."
+
+"I--I was wrong to do that. But you led me on and--I'm so lonely--and you
+all seemed so generous and sympathetic--that I--I--"
+
+"That you unwittingly posted us concerning your real trouble. Do you
+realize what it is? You're a hypo--hypo--what do they call
+it?--hypochondriac!"
+
+"I am not!"
+
+"And your doctor--your famous specialist--is a fool."
+
+"Oh, Miss Doyle!"
+
+"Also you are a--a chump, to follow his fool advice. You don't need
+sympathy, Mr. A. Jones. What you need is a slapstick."
+
+"A--a--"
+
+"A slapstick. And that's what you're going to get if you don't
+obey orders."
+
+Here the maid set down the breakfast, ranging the dishes invitingly
+before the invalid. His face had expressed all the emotions from
+amazement to terror during Patsy's tirade and now he gazed from her firm,
+determined features to the eggs and toast, in an uncertain, helpless way
+that caused the girl a severe effort to curb a burst of laughter.
+
+"Now, then," she said, "get busy. I'll fix your egg. Do you want more
+sugar in your chocolate? Taste it and see. And if you don't butter that
+toast before it gets cold it won't be fit to eat."
+
+He looked at her steadily now, again smiling.
+
+"You're not joking, Miss Doyle?"
+
+"I'm in dead earnest."
+
+"Of course you realize this is the--the end?"
+
+"Of your foolishness? I hope so. You used to eat like a sensible boy,
+didn't you?"
+
+"When I was well."
+
+"You're well now. Your only need is sustaining, strengthening food. I
+came near ordering you a beefsteak, but I'll reserve that for lunch."
+
+He sipped the chocolate.
+
+"Yes; it needs more sugar," he said quietly. "Will you please butter my
+toast? It seems to me such a breakfast is worth months of suffering. How
+delicious this egg is! It was the fragrance of the egg and toast that
+conquered me. That, and--"
+
+"And one sensible, determined girl. Don't look at me as if I were a
+murderess! I'm your best friend--a friend in need. And don't choke down
+your food. Eat slowly. Fletcherize--chew your food, you know. I know
+you're nearly famished, but you must gradually accustom yourself to a
+proper diet."
+
+He obeyed meekly. Patsy's face was calm, but her heart beat fast, with a
+thrill of fear she could not repress. Acting on impulse, as she had, the
+girl now began to consider that she was personally responsible for
+whatever result might follow this radical treatment for dyspepsia. Had
+she been positive it _was_ dyspepsia, she would never have dared
+interfere with a doctor's orders; but she felt that the boy needed food
+and would die unless he had it. He might die from the effect of this
+unusual repast, in which case she would never forgive herself.
+
+Meantime, the boy had cast aside all fear. He had protested, indeed, but
+his protests being overruled he accepted his food and its possible
+consequences with philosophic resignation and a growing satisfaction.
+
+Patsy balked on the third slice of toast and took it away from him. She
+also denied him a second cup of chocolate. He leaned back in his chair
+with a sigh of content and said:
+
+"Bless the hen that laid that egg! No dainty was ever more delicious. And
+now," he added, rising, "let us go and inquire the address of a good
+undertaker. I have made my will, and I'd like to be cremated--it's so
+much nicer than the old-fashioned burial, don't you think?"
+
+"I'll attend to all that, if you wish," she replied, trying to repress a
+shudder as she followed him from the room. "Do you smoke?"
+
+"I used to, but the doctor forbade it; so I gave it up entirely."
+
+"Go over to that stand and buy a cigar. Then you may sit beside Beth and
+me and smoke it."
+
+The girl did not wholly approve of smoking and had often chided Uncle
+John and her father and Arthur Weldon for indulging in the habit; but
+this advice to young Jones was given in desperation, because all the men
+of her family stoutly affirmed that a cigar after a meal assisted
+digestion. She resumed her former seat beside Beth, and her cousin
+quickly read the anxiety on her face.
+
+"What did you do, Patricia?"
+
+"I fed him."
+
+"Did he really eat?"
+
+"Like a starved cat."
+
+"Hm-m-m," said Beth. "What next, I wonder?"
+
+Patsy wondered, too, the cold shivers chasing one another up and down her
+back. The boy was coming toward them, coolly puffing a cigar. He did not
+seem to totter quite so much as before, but he was glad to sink into an
+easy chair.
+
+"How do you feel?" asked Beth, regarding him curiously.
+
+"Like one of those criminals who are pampered with all the good things
+of life before being led to the scaffold."
+
+"Any pains?"
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"Not yet. I've asked the clerk, whenever I signal him, to send someone to
+carry me to my room. If I'm not able to say good-bye to you, please
+accept now my thanks for all your kindness to a stranger. You see, I'm
+not sure whether I'll have a sudden seizure or the pains will come on
+gradually."
+
+"What pains?" demanded Patsy.
+
+"I can't explain them. Don't you believe something is bound to happen?"
+he inquired, nervously removing the ash from his cigar.
+
+"To be sure. You're going to get well."
+
+He made no reply, but sat watching Beth's nimble fingers. Patsy was too
+excited to resume her embroidery.
+
+"I wonder if you are old enough to smoke?" remarked Beth.
+
+"I'm over twenty-one."
+
+"Indeed! We decided you were about eighteen."
+
+"But we are not Spanish in Sangoa."
+
+"What are your people?"
+
+"Formerly all Americans. The younger generation are, like myself I
+suppose, Sangoans by birth. But there isn't a black or yellow or brown
+man on our island."
+
+"How many inhabitants has Sangoa?"
+
+"About six hundred, all told."
+
+There was silence for a while.
+
+"Any pains yet?" inquired Beth.
+
+"Not yet. But I'm feeling drowsy. With your permission I'll lie down and
+take a nap. I slept very little last night."
+
+He threw away his cigar, which he had smoked nearly to the end, and
+rising without assistance, bowed and walked away.
+
+"Will he ever waken, I wonder?" said Beth softly.
+
+"Of course," declared Patsy. "He has crossed the Rubicon and is going to
+get well. I feel it in my bones!"
+
+"Let us hope," responded Beth, "that Ajo also feels it in his bones,
+rather than in his stomach."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+STILL A MYSTERY
+
+
+The day advanced to luncheon time and Uncle John and the Weldons came
+back from their mountain trip. Hollywood is in the foothills and over the
+passes are superb automobile roads into the fruitful valleys of San
+Fernando and La Canada.
+
+"Seen anything of the boy--A. Jones?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"Yes; and perhaps we've seen the last of him," answered Beth.
+
+"Oh. Has he gone?"
+
+"No one knows. Patsy fed him and he went to sleep. What has happened
+since we cannot tell."
+
+The girls then related the experiences of the morning, at which both
+Uncle John and Arthur looked solemn and uncomfortable. But Louise
+said calmly:
+
+"I think Patsy was quite right. I wouldn't have dared such a thing
+myself, but I'm sure that boy needed a square meal more than anything. If
+he dies, that breakfast has merely hastened his end; but if he doesn't
+die it will do him good."
+
+"There's another possibility," remarked Uncle John. "He may be suffering
+agonies with no one to help him."
+
+Patsy's face was white as chalk. The last hour or two had brought her
+considerable anxiety and her uncle's horrible suggestion quite unnerved
+her. She stole away to the office and inquired the number of Mr. Jones'
+room. It was on the ground floor and easily reached by a passage. The
+girl tiptoed up to the door and putting her ear to the panel listened
+intently. A moment later a smile broke over her face; she chuckled
+delightedly and then turned and ran buck to her friends.
+
+"He's snoring like a walrus!" she cried triumphantly.
+
+"Are you sure they are not groans?" asked Arthur.
+
+"Pah! Can't I recognize a snore when I hear it? And I'll bet it's the
+first sound sleep he's had in a month."
+
+Mr. Merrick and Arthur went to the door of the boy's room to satisfy
+themselves that Patsy was not mistaken, and the regularity of the sounds
+quickly convinced them the girl was right. So they had a merry party at
+luncheon, calling Patsy "Doctor" with grave deference and telling her she
+had probably saved the life of A. Jones for a second time.
+
+"And now," proposed Uncle John, when the repast was over, "let us drive
+down to the sea and have a look at that beautiful launch that came in
+yesterday. Everyone is talking about it and they say it belongs to some
+foreign prince."
+
+So they motored to Santa Monica and spent the afternoon on the sands,
+watching the bathers and admiring the graceful outlines of the big yacht
+lying at anchor a half mile from the shore. The boat was something of a
+mystery to everybody. It was named the "Arabella" and had come from
+Hawaii via San Francisco; but what it was doing here and who the owner
+might be were questions no one seemed able to answer. Rumor had it that
+a Japanese prince had come in it to inspect the coast line, but newspaper
+reporters were forbidden to scale the side and no satisfaction was given
+their eager questioning by the bluff old captain who commanded the craft.
+So the girls snapped a few kodak pictures of the handsome yacht and then
+lost interest in it.
+
+That evening they met Mrs. Montrose and the Stanton girls at dinner and
+told them about the boy, who still remained invisible. Uncle John had
+listened at his door again, but the snores had ceased and a deathlike
+silence seemed to pervade the apartment. This rendered them all a trifle
+uneasy and when they left the dining room Arthur went to the hotel clerk
+and asked:
+
+"Have you seen Mr. Jones this evening?"
+
+"No," was the reply. "Do you know him?"
+
+"Very slightly."
+
+"Well, he's the queerest guest we've ever had. The first day he ate
+nothing at all. This morning I hear he had a late breakfast. Wasn't
+around to lunch, but a little while ago we sent a meal to his room that
+would surprise you."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes. A strange order it was! Broiled mushrooms, pancakes with maple
+syrup and ice cream. How is that for a mix-up--and at dinner time, too!"
+said the clerk, disgustedly.
+
+Arthur went back and reported.
+
+"All right," said Patsy, much relieved. "We've got him started and now he
+can take care of himself. Come, Uncle; let's all go down town and see the
+picture that drove Mr. Goldstein crazy."
+
+"He was very decent to us to-day," asserted Flo Stanton.
+
+"Did he ask any explanation about Maud's appearing in the picture of a
+rival company?" inquired Arthur.
+
+"No, not a word."
+
+"Did he mention Mr. Jones, who conquered him so mysteriously?"
+asked Beth.
+
+"Not at all. Goldstein confined himself strictly to business; but he
+treated us with unusual courtesy," explained Maud.
+
+They were curious to see the films of the rescue, and the entire party
+rode to the down-town theatre where the Corona picture was being run.
+Outside the entrance they found the audacious placard, worded just as
+Goldstein had reported, and they all agreed it was a mean trick to claim
+another firm's star as their own.
+
+"I do not think the Corona Company is responsible for this announcement,"
+said Uncle John. "It is probably an idea of the theatre proprietor, who
+hoped to attract big business in that way."
+
+"He has succeeded," grumbled Arthur, as he took his place at the end of a
+long line of ticket buyers.
+
+The picture, as it flashed on the screen, positively thrilled them. First
+was shown the crowd of merry bathers, with Patsy and Maud standing in the
+water a little apart from the others. Then the boy--far out beyond the
+rest--threw up his arms, struggling desperately. Maud swam swiftly toward
+him, Patsy making for the shore. The launching of the boat, the race to
+rescue, Maud's effort to keep the drowning one afloat, and the return to
+the shore, where an excited crowd surrounded them--all was clearly shown
+in the picture. Now they had the advantage of observing the expressions
+on the faces of the bathers when they discovered a tragedy was being
+enacted in their midst. The photographs were so full of action that the
+participants now looked upon their adventure in a new light and regarded
+it far more seriously than before.
+
+The picture concluded with the scene where Uncle John lifted the body
+into the automobile and dashed away with it to the hospital.
+
+Maud Stanton, used as she was to seeing herself in motion pictures, was
+even more impressed than the others when observing her own actions at a
+time when she was wholly unconscious that a camera-man had his lens
+focused upon her.
+
+"It's a great picture!" whispered Flo, as they made their way out of the
+crowded theatre. "Why can't all our films be as natural and absorbing as
+this one?"
+
+"Because," said her sister, "in this case there is no acting. The picture
+carries conviction with a force that no carefully rehearsed scene could
+ever accomplish."
+
+"That is true," agreed her Aunt Jane. "The nature scenes are the best,
+after all."
+
+"The most unsatisfactory pictures I have ever seen," remarked Uncle John,
+"were those of prominent men, and foreign kings, and the like, who stop
+before the camera and bow as awkwardly as a camel. They know they are
+posing, and in spite of their public experience they're as bashful as
+schoolboys or as arrogant as policemen, according to their personal
+characteristics."
+
+"Did you notice the mob of children in that theatre?" asked Patsy, as
+they proceeded homeward. "I wish there were more pictures made that are
+suitable to their understandings."
+
+"They enjoy anything in the way of a picture," said Arthur. "It isn't
+necessary to cater to children; they'll go anyhow, whatever is shown."
+
+"That may be, to an extent, true," said Beth. "Children are fascinated by
+any sort of motion pictures, but a lot of them must be wholly
+incomprehensible to the child mind. I agree with Patsy that the little
+ones ought to have their own theatres and their own pictures."
+
+"That will come, in time," prophesied Aunt Jane. "Already the film
+makers are recognizing the value of the children's patronage and are
+trying to find subjects that especially appeal to them."
+
+They reached the hotel soon after ten o'clock and found "Ajo" seated in
+the lobby. He appeared much brighter and stronger than the day before and
+rose to greet Patsy with a smile that had lost much of its former sad
+expression.
+
+"Congratulate me, Dr. Doyle," said he. "I'm still alive, and--thanks to
+your prescription--going as well as could be expected."
+
+"I'm glad I did the right thing," she replied; "but we were all a little
+worried for fear I'd make a mistake."
+
+"I have just thrown away about a thousand of those food-tablets," he
+informed her with an air of pride. "I am positive there is no substitute
+for real food, whatever the specialists may say. In fact," he continued
+more soberly, "I believe you have rescued me a second time from certain
+death, for now I have acquired a new hope and have made up my mind to
+get well."
+
+"Be careful not to overdo it," cautioned Uncle John. "You ordered a
+queer supper, we hear."
+
+"But it seemed to agree with me. I've had a delightful sleep--the first
+sound sleep in a month--and already I feel like a new man. I waited up to
+tell you this, hoping you would be interested."
+
+"We are!" exclaimed Patsy, who felt both pride and pleasure. "This
+evening we have been to see the motion picture of your rescue from
+drowning."
+
+"Oh. How did you like it?"
+
+"It's a splendid picture. I'm not sure it will interest others as much as
+ourselves, yet the people present seemed to like it."
+
+"Well it was their last chance to observe my desperate peril and my
+heroic rescue," said the boy. "The picture will not be shown after
+to-night."
+
+"Why not?" they asked, in surprise.
+
+"I bought the thing this afternoon. It didn't seem to me quite modest to
+exploit our little adventure in public."
+
+This was a new phase of the strange boy's character and the girls did
+not know whether to approve it or not.
+
+"It must have cost you something!" remarked Flo, the irrepressible.
+"Besides, how could you do it while you were asleep?"
+
+"Why, I wakened long enough to use the telephone," he replied with a
+smile. "There are more wonderful inventions in the world than motion
+pictures, you know."
+
+"But you like motion pictures, don't you?" asked Maud, wondering why he
+had suppressed the film in question.
+
+"Very much. In fact, I am more interested in them than in anything else,
+not excepting the telephone--which makes Aladdin's lamp look like a
+firefly in the sunshine."
+
+"I suppose," said Flo, staring into his face with curious interest,
+"that you will introduce motion pictures into your island of Sangoa,
+when you return?"
+
+"I suppose so," he answered, a little absently. "I had not considered
+that seriously, as yet, but my people would appreciate such a treat,
+I'm sure."
+
+This speech seemed to destroy, in a manner, their shrewd conjecture
+that he was in America to purchase large quantities of films. Why,
+then, should Goldstein have paid such abject deference to this
+unknown islander?
+
+In his own room, after the party had separated for the night, Mr. Merrick
+remarked to Arthur Weldon as they sat smoking their cigars:
+
+"Young Jones is evidently possessed of some means."
+
+"So it seems," replied Arthur. "Perhaps his father, the scientific
+recluse, had accumulated some money, and the boy came to America to get
+rid of it. He will be extravagant and wasteful for awhile, and then go
+back to his island with the idea that he has seen the world."
+
+Uncle John nodded.
+
+"He is a rather clean-cut young fellow," said he, "and the chances are he
+won't become dissipated, even though he loses his money through lack of
+worldly knowledge or business experience. A boy brought up and educated
+on an island can't be expected to prove very shrewd, and whatever the
+extent of his fortune it is liable to melt like snow in the sunshine."
+
+"After all," returned Arthur, "this experience won't hurt him. He will
+still have his island to return to."
+
+They smoked for a time in silence.
+
+"Has it ever occurred to you, sir," said Arthur, "that the story Jones
+has related to us, meager though it is, bears somewhat the stamp of a
+fairy tale?"
+
+Uncle John removed his cigar and looked reflectively at the ash.
+
+"You mean that the boy is not what he seems?"
+
+"Scarcely that, sir. He seems like a good boy, in the main. But his story
+is--such as one might invent if he were loath to tell the truth."
+
+Uncle John struck a match and relit his cigar.
+
+"I believe in A. Jones, and I see no reason to doubt his story," he
+asserted. "If real life was not full of romance and surprises, the
+novelists would be unable to interest us in their books."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
+
+
+The day had not started auspiciously for the Stanton sisters. Soon after
+they arrived at the Continental Film Company's plant Maud had wrenched
+her ankle by stumbling over some loose planks which had been carelessly
+left on the open-air stage, and she was now lying upon a sofa in the
+manager's room with her limb bandaged and soaked with liniment.
+
+Flo was having troubles, too. A girl who had been selected by the
+producer to fall from an aeroplane in mid-air had sent word she was ill
+and could not work to-day, and the producer had ordered Flo to prepare
+for the part. Indignantly she sought the manager, to file a protest, and
+while she waited in the anteroom for an audience, Mr. A. Jones of Sangoa
+came in and greeted her with a bow and a smile.
+
+"Good gracious! Where did _you_ come from?" she inquired.
+
+"My hotel. I've just driven over to see Goldstein," he replied.
+
+"You'll have to wait, I'm afraid," she warned him. "The manager is busy
+just now. I've been wiggling on this bench half an hour, and haven't seen
+him yet--and my business is very important."
+
+"So is mine, Miss Flo," he rejoined, looking at her with an odd
+expression. Then, as a stenographer came hurrying from the inner room, he
+stopped the girl and said:
+
+"Please take my card to Mr. Goldstein."
+
+"Oh, he won't see anybody now, for he's busy talking with one of our
+producers. You'll have to call again," she said flippantly. But even as
+she spoke she glanced at the card, started and turned red. "Oh, pardon
+me!" she added hastily and fled back to the managerial sanctum.
+
+"That's funny!" muttered Flo, half to herself.
+
+"Yes," he said, laughing, "my cards are charged with electricity, and
+they're bound to galvanize anyone in this establishment. Come in, Miss
+Flo," he added, as Goldstein rushed out of his office to greet the boy
+effusively; "your business takes precedence to mine, you know."
+
+The manager ushered them into his office, a big room with a busy aspect.
+At one end were two or three girls industriously thumping typewriters;
+McNeil, the producer, was sorting manuscript on Goldstein's own desk; a
+young man who served as the manager's private secretary was poring over a
+voluminous record-book, wherein were listed all the films ever made by
+the manufacturers of the world. On a sofa in a far corner reclined the
+injured "star" of the company, Maud Stanton, who--being half asleep at
+the moment--did not notice the entrance of her sister and young Jones.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Jones; pray sit down!" exclaimed Goldstein eagerly,
+pointing to his own chair. "Would you like me to clear the room, so that
+our conversation may be private?"
+
+"Not yet," replied the boy, refusing the seat of honor and taking a
+vacant chair. "Miss Stanton has precedence, and I believe she wishes to
+speak with you."
+
+Goldstein took his seat at the desk and cast an inquiring glance at Flo.
+
+"Well?" he demanded, impatiently.
+
+"Mr. Werner has ordered me to do the airship stunt for his picture,
+because Nance Holden isn't here to-day," began the girl.
+
+"Well, why annoy me with such trifles? Werner knows what he wants, and
+you'll do as well as the Holden girl."
+
+"But I don't want to tumble out of that airship," she protested.
+
+"There's no danger. Life nets will be spread underneath the aeroplane,"
+said the manager. "The camera merely catches you as you are falling, so
+the thing won't be more than twenty or thirty feet from the ground. Now
+run away and don't bother. I must speak with Mr. Jones."
+
+"But I'm afraid, Mr. Goldstein!" pleaded the girl. "I don't want to go up
+in the aeroplane, and these stunts are not in my line, or what I was
+engaged to do."
+
+"You'll do what I tell you!" asserted the manager, with marked
+irritation. "I won't stand for any rebellion among my actors, and you'll
+do as Werner orders or you'll forfeit your week's pay."
+
+Here Maud half rose from her sofa to address her employer.
+
+"Please, Mr. Goldstein," she said, "don't make Flo do that fall. There
+are plenty of other girls to take her place, and she--"
+
+"Silence, Miss Stanton!" roared the manager. "You'll disrupt all
+discipline if you interfere. A nice time we'd have here, if we allowed
+our actors to choose their own parts! I insist that your sister obey my
+producer's orders."
+
+"Quite right, Goldstein," remarked young Jones, in his quiet voice.
+"You've carried your point and maintained discipline. I like that. Miss
+Flo Stanton will do exactly what you request her to do. But you're going
+to change your mind and think better of her protest. I'm almost sure,
+Goldstein, from the expression of your face, that you intend to issue
+prompt orders that another girl must take her place."
+
+Goldstein looked at him steadily a moment and the arrogant expression
+changed to one of meek subservience.
+
+"To be sure!" he muttered. "You have read my mind accurately, Mr. Jones.
+Here, Judd," to his secretary, "find Werner and tell him I don't approve
+his choice of Flo Stanton as a substitute for Nance Holden. Let's see;
+tell him to put that Moore girl in her place."
+
+The young fellow bowed and left the room. McNeil smiled slyly to himself
+as he bent over his manuscript. Jones had gone to Maud's side to inquire
+anxiously after her injury.
+
+"I don't imagine it will amount to much," she said reassuringly. "Mr.
+Goldstein wants me to rest quietly until this afternoon, when our new
+photo-play is to be produced. I'm to do the leading part, you know, and
+he thinks I'll be able by that time to get through all right."
+
+Goldstein overheard this and came toward them, rubbing his hands together
+nervously.
+
+"That seems unwise, Miss Maud," objected Jones. "To use your foot so
+soon might make it much worse. Let us postpone the play until some
+other time."
+
+Goldstein's face was a study. His body twitched spasmodically.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Jones!" he exclaimed; "that's impossible; it wouldn't do at
+all! We've been rehearsing this play and preparing for its production for
+the last two weeks, and to-day all our actors and assistants are here and
+ready to make the picture. I've already postponed it four hours--until
+this afternoon--to favor Miss Stanton, but, really--"
+
+"Never mind the details," interrupted the boy. "I do not consider Miss
+Stanton able to do her work to-day. Send her back to her hotel at once
+and order the play postponed until she is able to attend."
+
+Goldstein was greatly disturbed by this order, issued quietly but in a
+tone of command that brooked no opposition. Again he glanced shrewdly at
+the young man, and in the manager's face astonishment and fear were
+intermingled.
+
+"Sir," he said in repressed tones, for he was really angry and had been
+accustomed to wield the power of an autocrat in this establishment, "you
+are placing me in an embarrassing position. I am expected to make every
+day count, so that the Continental may pay a liberal profit to its
+owners. To follow your instructions would burden us with an enormous
+expense, quite useless, I assure you, and--"
+
+"Very well. Incur the expense, Goldstein."
+
+"All right, Mr. Jones. Excuse me a moment while I issue instructions for
+the postponement."
+
+McNeil rose and faced the manager.
+
+"Are you really going to postpone this important play?" he demanded, in a
+voice of wonder.
+
+Goldstein was glad to vent his chagrin on the producer.
+
+"No insolence, sir!" he roared. "Come with me, and," as he dragged McNeil
+to the door and paused there, "if you dare lisp a word of what you've
+overheard, I'll fire you like a shot!"
+
+When they had left the room Maud said with a puzzled air:
+
+"I can't understand your power over Goldstein, Mr. Jones. He is a
+dictator--almost a tyrant--and in this place his word is law. At least,
+it was until you came, and--and--"
+
+"Don't try to understand it, Miss Stanton," he answered in a careless
+manner. "Do you think you can manage to crawl to the automobile, or shall
+we carry you?"
+
+"I'll bet Goldstein has murdered someone, and Mr. Jones knows all about
+it!" exclaimed Flo, who had been an interested witness of the scene.
+
+Maud stood up, with her sister's support, and tested her lame ankle.
+
+"It still hurts a little," she said, "but I can manage to hobble on it."
+
+"Get your sister's wraps," the boy said to Flo, "and we'll send her
+straight home."
+
+"I expect Goldstein will dock my salary, as well as fine Flo," remarked
+Maud musingly, as she waited for her hat and coat. "He obeyed you very
+meekly, Mr. Jones, but I could see a wicked glitter in his eye,
+nevertheless."
+
+"I am sure the manager will neither dock nor fine either of you," he
+replied reassuringly. "On the contrary, you might sue the company for
+damages, for leaving that lumber where you would fall over it."
+
+"Oh, no," she returned, laughing at the idea. "We have signed contracts
+waiving any damages for injuries sustained while at work on the premises.
+We all have to do that, you know, because the business is hazardous at
+its best. On the other hand, Mr. Goldstein has a physician and surgeon
+always within call, in case of accident, and the service is quite free to
+all the employees."
+
+He nodded.
+
+"I know. But the fact that you signed such a contract, under compulsion,
+would not prevent the court from awarding damages, if you sustained them
+while on duty."
+
+"This hurt is nothing of importance," she said hastily. "In a day or two
+I shall be able to walk as well as ever."
+
+Flo came running back with Maud's things. Aunt Jane followed, saying
+that if Maud was to go to the hotel she would accompany her and take
+care of her.
+
+"I've examined the ankle," she said to young Jones, "and I assure you it
+is not a severe strain. But it is true that she will be better off in her
+own room, where she can rest quietly. So I will go with her."
+
+"How about Miss Flo?" asked the boy.
+
+"Flo is very self-reliant and will get along to-day very nicely without
+me," replied Mrs. Montrose.
+
+Mr. Goldstein entered, frowning and still resenting the interference of
+this Mr. A. Jones of Sangoa. But he ventured no further protest nor did
+he speak until Maud, Flo and Aunt Jane had all left the room.
+
+"You're not going, Mr. Jones?" he asked.
+
+"Only to see Miss Stanton started for home. Then I'll come back and have
+a little talk with you."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+PICTURES, GIRLS AND NONSENSE
+
+
+"Well, Aunt Jane," said Maud Stanton, when their car was rolling toward
+the hotel and the girl had related the remarkable interview in the
+office, "what do you think of Ajo now?"
+
+"He is certainly an amazing young man," was the reply. "I cannot in any
+way figure out his connection with Goldstein, or his power over the man.
+The Continental Film Manufacturing Company is a great corporation, with
+headquarters in New York, and Mr. Goldstein is the authorized head and
+manager of the concern on the Pacific coast. I understand his salary is
+ten thousand a year. On the other hand, young Jones has only been in this
+country for a year, coming from an insignificant island somewhere in the
+South Seas, where he was born and reared. Much of the time since he
+arrived in America he has been an invalid. Aside from this meager
+information, no one seems to know anything about him."
+
+"Putting the case that way makes it all the more remarkable," observed
+Maud. "A big, experienced, important man, cowed by a mere boy. When
+Goldstein first met this callow, sallow youth, he trembled before him.
+When the boy enters the office of the great film company he dictates to
+the manager, who meekly obeys him. Remember, too, that A. Jones, by his
+interference, has caused a direct loss to the company, which Goldstein
+will have to explain, as best he may, in his weekly report to the New
+York office. A more astonishing state of affairs could not be imagined,
+Aunt Jane!"
+
+"The puzzle will solve itself presently," said the lady. "Abnormal
+conditions seldom last long."
+
+Maud passed the day in bed, quietly reading a book. Her injury was really
+slight and with rest it mended rapidly. Patsy and Beth came in to see her
+and in the conversation that ensued the girls were told of the latest
+mystery surrounding A. Jones.
+
+"It is surely queer!" admitted Miss Doyle, impressed and thoughtful.
+"Uncle John and Arthur were saying this noon, at lunch, that Ajo was a
+helpless sort of individual and easily influenced by others--as witness
+his caving in to me when I opposed his doctor's treatment. Arthur thinks
+he has come to this country to squander what little money his father left
+him and that his public career outside the limits of his little island
+will be brief. Yet according to your story the boy is no weakling but has
+power and knows how to use it."
+
+"He surely laid down the law to Goldstein," said Maud.
+
+"He is very young," remarked Beth, ignoring the fact that she was herself
+no older, "and perhaps that is why we attach so much importance to his
+actions. A grown-up man is seldom astonishing, however eccentric he may
+prove to be. In a boy we expect only boyishness, and young Jones has
+interested us because he is unique."
+
+After a little the conversation drifted to motion pictures, for both
+Patsy and Beth were eager to learn all about the business details of film
+making, which Maud, by reason of her months of experience, was able to
+explain to them in a comprehensive manner. Flo came home toward evening,
+but had little more to tell them, as the day had passed very quietly at
+the "studio." Jones had remained closeted with the manager for a full
+hour, and it was remarked that after he had gone away Goldstein was
+somewhat subdued and performed his duties less aggressively than usual.
+
+Maud's visitors now left her to dress for dinner, at which meal she was
+able to rejoin them, walking with a slight limp but otherwise recovered
+from her accident. To their surprise, young Jones appeared as they were
+entering the dining room and begged for a seat at their table. Uncle John
+at once ordered another place laid at the big round table, which
+accommodated the company of nine very nicely.
+
+Ajo sat between Patsy and Maud and although he selected his dishes with
+some care he partook of all the courses from soup to dessert.
+
+The morning interview with Goldstein was not mentioned. Ajo inquired
+about Maud's hurt but then changed the subject and conversed upon nearly
+everything but motion pictures. However, after they had repaired to the
+hotel lobby and were seated together in a cosy, informal group, Patsy
+broached a project very near to her heart.
+
+"Beth and I," said she, "have decided to build a Children's
+Picture Theatre."
+
+"Where?" asked Uncle John, rather startled by the proposition.
+
+"Here, or in Los Angeles," was the reply.
+
+"You see," explained Beth, "there is a crying need for a place where
+children may go and see pictures that appeal especially to them and are,
+at the same time, quite proper for them to witness. A great educational
+field is to be opened by this venture, and Patsy and I would enjoy the
+work of creating the first picture theatre, exclusively for children,
+ever established in America."
+
+"You may say, 'in the world,'" added Arthur. "I like this idea of yours,
+girls, and I hope you will carry it out."
+
+"Oh, they'll carry it out, all right," remarked Uncle John. "I've been
+expecting something of this sort, ever since we came here. My girls,
+Mr. Jones," he said, turning to the young man, "are always doing some
+quaint thing, or indulging in some queer enterprise, for they're a
+restless lot. Before Louise married, she was usually in these skirmishes
+with fate, but now--"
+
+"Oh, I shall join Patsy and Beth, of course," asserted Louise. "It will
+make it easier for all, to divide the expense between us, and I am as
+much interested in pictures as they are."
+
+"Perhaps," said Patsy musingly, "we might build two theatres, in
+different parts of the city. There are so many children to be amused. And
+we intend to make the admission price five cents."
+
+"Have you any idea what it costs to build one of these picture theatres?"
+asked Arthur.
+
+"We're not going to build one of 'these' theatres," retorted Patsy. "Many
+of the dens I've been in cost scarcely anything, being mere shelters. The
+city is strewn with a lot of miserable, stuffy theatres that no one can
+enjoy sitting in, even to see a good picture. We have talked this over
+and decided to erect a new style of building, roomy and sanitary, with
+cushioned seats and plenty of broad aisles. There are one or two of this
+class already in Los Angeles, but we want to make our children's theatres
+a little better than the best."
+
+"And the expense?"
+
+"Well, it will cost money, of course. But it will be a great delight to
+the children--bless their little hearts!"
+
+"This is really a business enterprise," added Beth gravely.
+
+Uncle John chuckled with amusement.
+
+"Have you figured out the profits?" he inquired.
+
+"It really ought to pay, Uncle," declared Patsy, somewhat nettled by this
+flaccid reception of her pet scheme. "All the children will insist on
+being taken to a place like that, for we shall show just the pictures
+they love to see. And, allowing there is no money to be made from the
+venture, think of the joy we shall give to innumerable little ones!"
+
+"Go ahead, my dears," said Uncle John, smiling approval. "And, if you
+girls find you haven't enough money to carry out your plans, come to me."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Uncle!" exclaimed Beth. "But I feel sure we can manage
+the cost ourselves. We will build one of the theatres first, and if that
+is a success we will build others."
+
+"But about those films, made especially for children," remarked Arthur.
+"Where will you get them?"
+
+"Why, there are lots of firms making films," replied Patsy. "We can
+select from all that are made the ones most suitable for our purpose."
+
+"I fear you cannot do that," said Mrs. Montrose, who had listened with
+wonder to this conversation. "There are three combinations, or 'trusts,'
+among the film makers, which are known as the Licensed, the Mutual and
+the Independents. If you purchase from one of these trusts, you cannot
+get films from the others, for that is their edict. Therefore you will
+have only about one-third of the films made to select from."
+
+"I thought money would buy anything--in the way of merchandise," said
+Louise, half laughing and half indignant.
+
+"Not from these film dictators," was the reply.
+
+"They all make a few children's pictures," announced Maud Stanton. "Even
+the Continental turns out one occasionally. But there are not nearly
+enough, taken all together, to supply an exclusive children's theatre."
+
+"Then we will have some made," declared Patsy. "We will order some fairy
+tales, such as the children like. They would be splendid in motion
+pictures."
+
+"Some have already been made and exhibited," said Mrs. Montrose. "The
+various manufacturers have made films of the fairy tales of Hans
+Andersen, Frank Baum, Lewis Carroll and other well-known writers."
+
+"And were they successful?"
+
+"Quite so, I believe; but such films are seldom put out except at
+holiday time."
+
+"I think, Beth," said Patsy to her cousin, in a businesslike tone, "that
+we must organize a company and make our own films. Then we can get
+exactly what we want."
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Beth, delighted with the suggestion. "And let us get
+Maud and Flo to act in our pictures. Won't it be exciting?"
+
+"Pardon me, young ladies," said A. Jones, speaking for the first time
+since this subject had been broached. "Would it not be wise to consider
+the expense of making films, before you undertake it?"
+
+Patsy looked at him inquiringly.
+
+"Do you know what the things cost?" she asked.
+
+"I've some idea," said he. "Feature films of fairy tales, such as you
+propose, cost at least two thousand dollars each to produce. You would
+need about three for each performance, and you will have to change your
+programmes at least once a week. That would mean an outlay of not less
+than six thousand dollars a week, which is doubtless more money than your
+five-cent theatre could take in."
+
+This argument staggered the girls for a moment. Then Beth asked: "How do
+the ordinary theatres manage?"
+
+"The ordinary theatre simply rents its pictures, paying about three
+hundred dollars a week for the service. There is a 'middleman,' called
+the 'Exchange,' whose business is to buy the films from the makers and
+rent them to the theatres. He pays a big price for a film, but is able
+to rent it to dozens of theatres, by turns, and by this method he not
+only gets back the money he has expended but makes a liberal profit."
+
+"Well," said Patsy, not to be baffled, "we could sell several copies of
+our films to these middlemen, and so reduce the expense of making them
+for our use."
+
+"The middleman won't buy them," asserted Jones. "He is the thrall of one
+or the other of the trusts, and buys only trust pictures."
+
+"I see," said Uncle John, catching the idea; "it's a scheme to destroy
+competition."
+
+"Exactly," replied young Jones.
+
+"What does the Continental do, Maud?" asked Patsy.
+
+"I don't know," answered the girl; "but perhaps Aunt Jane can tell you."
+
+"I believe the Continental is a sort of trust within itself," explained
+Mrs. Montrose. "Since we have been connected with the company I have
+learned more or less of its methods. It employs a dozen or so producing
+companies and makes three or four pictures every week. The concern has
+its own Exchange, or middleman, who rents only Continental films to the
+theatres that patronize him."
+
+"Well, we might do the same thing," proposed Patsy, who was loath to
+abandon her plan.
+
+"You might, if you have the capital," assented Mrs. Montrose. "The
+Continental is an immense corporation, and I am told it has more than a
+million dollars invested."
+
+"Two millions," said A. Jones.
+
+The girls were silent a while, seriously considering this startling
+assertion. They had, between them, considerable money, but they realized
+they could not enter a field that required such an enormous investment as
+film making.
+
+"I suppose," said Beth regretfully, "we shall have to give up
+making films."
+
+"Then where are we to get the proper pictures for our theatre?"
+demanded Patsy.
+
+"It is quite evident we _can't_ get them," said Louise. "Therefore we may
+be obliged to abandon the theatre proposition."
+
+Another silence, still more grave. Uncle John was discreet enough to say
+nothing. The Stantons and Mrs. Montrose felt it was not their affair.
+Arthur Weldon was slyly enjoying the chagrin visible upon the faces of
+Mr. Merrick's three pretty nieces.
+
+As for A. Jones, he was industriously figuring upon the back of an
+envelope with a stubby bit of pencil.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A FOOLISH BOY
+
+
+It was the youthful Sangoan who first broke the silence. Glancing at the
+figures he had made he said:
+
+"It is estimated that if twenty picture theatres use any one film--copies
+of it, of course--that film will pay for its cost of making. Therefore,
+if you build twenty children's theatres, instead of the one or two you
+originally proposed, you would be able to manufacture your own films and
+they would be no expense to you."
+
+They gazed at him in bewilderment.
+
+"That is all simple enough!" laughed Arthur. "Twenty picture theatres at
+twenty thousand dollars each--a low estimate, my dears, for such as you
+require--would mean an investment of four hundred thousand dollars. A
+film factory, with several producing companies to keep it busy, and all
+the necessary paraphernalia of costumes and properties, would mean a
+million or so more. Say a million and a half, all told. Why, it's a mere
+bagatelle!"
+
+"Arthur!" Severely, from Louise.
+
+"I advise you girls to economize in other ways and devote your resources
+to this business, which might pay you--and might not," he continued,
+oblivious to stony glares.
+
+"Really, Mr. Jones," said Beth, pouting, "we were not joking, but in
+real earnest."
+
+"Have I questioned it, Miss De Graf?"
+
+"Mr. Jones was merely trying to show you how--er--er--how impractical
+your idea was," explained Uncle John mildly.
+
+"No; I am in earnest, too," said the boy. "To prove it, I will agree to
+establish a plant and make the pictures, if the young ladies will build
+the twenty theatres to show them in."
+
+Here was another suggestion of a bewildering nature. Extravagant as
+the offer seemed, the boy was very serious. He blushed a little as he
+observed Mr. Merrick eyeing him earnestly, and continued in an
+embarrassed, halting way: "I--I assure you, sir, that I am able to
+fulfill my part of the agreement. Also I would like to do it. It
+would serve to interest me and keep me occupied in ways that are not
+wholly selfish. My--my other business does not demand my personal
+attention, you see."
+
+To hear this weak, sickly youth speak of investing a million dollars in
+a doubtful enterprise, in spite of the fact that he lived on a far-away
+island and was a practical stranger in America, set them all to
+speculating anew in regard to his history and condition in life. Seeing
+that the boy had himself made an opening for a logical query, Uncle
+John asked:
+
+"Do you mind telling us what this other business is, to which you refer?"
+
+A. Jones moved uneasily in his chair. Then he glanced quickly around the
+circle and found every eye regarding him with eager curiosity. He blushed
+again, a deep red this time, but an instant later straightened up and
+spoke in a tone of sudden resolve.
+
+"Most people dislike to speak of themselves," he said, "and I am no
+exception. But you, who have kindly received me as a friend, after having
+generously saved me from an untimely death, have surely the right to
+know something about me--if, indeed, the subject interests you."
+
+"It is but natural that we should feel an interest in you, Mr. Jones,"
+replied Mr. Merrick; "yet I assure you we have no desire to pry into your
+personal affairs. You have already volunteered a general statement of
+your antecedents and the object of your visit to America, and that, I
+assure you, will suffice us. Pardon me for asking an impertinent
+question."
+
+The boy seemed perplexed, now.
+
+"I did not consider it impertinent, sir. I made a business proposal to
+your nieces," he said, "and before they could accept such a proposal they
+would be entitled to know something of my financial standing."
+
+For a green, inexperienced youth, he spoke with rare acumen, thought Mr.
+Merrick; but the old gentleman had now determined to shield the boy from
+a forced declaration of his finances, so he said:
+
+"My nieces can hardly afford to accept your proposition. They are really
+able to build one or two theatres without inconveniencing themselves,
+but twenty would be beyond their means. You, of course, understand they
+were not seeking an investment, but trying, with all their hearts, to
+benefit the children. I thoroughly approve their original idea, but if it
+requires twenty picture theatres to render it practical, they will
+abandon the notion at once."
+
+Jones nodded absently, his eyes half closed in thought. After a brief
+pause he replied:
+
+"I hate to see this idea abandoned at the very moment of its birth. It's
+a good idea, and in no way impractical, in my opinion. So permit me to
+make another proposition. I will build the twenty theatres myself, and
+furnish the films for them, provided the young ladies will agree to
+assume the entire management of them when they are completed."
+
+Dead silence followed this speech. The girls did some rapid-fire mental
+calculations and realized that this young man was proposing to invest
+something like fourteen hundred thousand dollars, in order that they
+might carry out their philanthropic conception. Why should he do this,
+even if he could afford it?
+
+Both Mr. Merrick and Arthur Weldon were staring stolidly at the floor.
+Their attitudes expressed, for the first time, doubt--if not positive
+unbelief. As men of considerable financial experience, they regarded the
+young islander's proposition as an impossible one.
+
+Jones noted this blank reception of his offer and glanced appealingly at
+Patsy. It was an uncomfortable moment for the girl and to avoid meeting
+his eyes she looked away, across the lobby. A few paces distant stood a
+man who leaned against a table and held a newspaper before his face.
+Patsy knew, however, that he was not reading. A pair of dark, glistening
+eyes peered over the top of the paper and were steadfastly fixed upon the
+unconscious features of young Jones.
+
+Something in the attitude of the stranger, whom she had never seen
+before, something in the rigid pose, the intent gaze--indicating both
+alertness and repression--riveted the girl's attention at once and gave
+her a distinct shock of uneasiness.
+
+"I wish," said the boy, in his quiet, firm way, yet with much deference
+in his manner and tone, "that you young ladies would consider my offer
+seriously, and take proper time to reach a decision. I am absolutely in
+earnest. I want to join you in your attempt to give pleasure to children,
+and I am willing and--and able--to furnish the funds required. Without
+your cooperation, however, I could do nothing, and my health is such that
+I wish to leave the management of the theatres entirely in your hands, as
+well as all the details of their construction."
+
+"We will consider it, of course, Mr. Jones," answered Beth gravely. "We
+are a little startled just now, as you see; but when we grow accustomed
+to the immensity of the scheme--our baby, which you have transformed into
+a giant--we shall be able to consider it calmly and critically, and
+decide if we are competent to undertake the management of so many
+theatres."
+
+"Thank you. Then, I think, I will excuse myself for this evening and
+return to my room. I'm improving famously, under Dr. Doyle's
+instructions, but am not yet a rugged example of health."
+
+Patsy took his hand at parting, as did the others, but her attention was
+divided between Ajo and the strange man who had never for a moment
+ceased watching him. Not once did the dark eyes waver, but followed each
+motion of the boy as he sauntered to the desk, got his key from the
+clerk, and then proceeded to his room, turning up one of the corridors
+on the main floor.
+
+The stranger now laid his newspaper on the table and disclosed his
+entire face for the first time. A middle-aged man, he seemed to be,
+with iron-gray hair and a smoothly shaven, rather handsome face. From
+his dress he appeared to be a prosperous business man and it was
+evident that he was a guest of the hotel, for he wandered through the
+lobby--in which many other guests were grouped, some chatting and
+others playing "bridge"--and presently disappeared down the corridor
+traversed by young Jones.
+
+Patsy drew a deep breath, but said nothing to the others, who, when
+relieved of the boy's presence, began to discuss volubly his
+singular proposal.
+
+"The fellow is crazy," commented Arthur. "Twenty picture theatres,
+with a film factory to supply them, is a big order even for a
+multi-millionaire--and I can't imagine this boy coming under that head."
+
+"He seemed in earnest," said Maud, musingly. "What do you think,
+Aunt Jane?"
+
+"I am greatly perplexed," admitted Mrs. Montrose. "Had I not known of the
+conquest of Goldstein by this boy, who issued orders which the manager of
+the Continental meekly obeyed, I would have laughed at his proposition.
+As it is, I'm afraid to state that he won't carry out his plan to the
+letter of the agreement."
+
+"Would it not be a rash investment, ma'am?" inquired Uncle John.
+
+"Frankly, I do not know. While all the film makers evade any attempt to
+discover how prosperous--financially--they are, we know that without
+exception they have grown very wealthy. I am wondering if this young
+Jones is not one of the owners of the Continental--a large stockholder,
+perhaps. If so, that not only accounts for his influence with Goldstein,
+but it proves him able to finance this remarkable enterprise. He
+doubtless knows what he is undertaking, for his figures, while not
+accurate, were logical."
+
+"Of course!" cried Patsy. "That explains everything."
+
+"Still," said Uncle John cautiously, "this is merely surmise on our part,
+and before accepting it we must reconcile it with the incongruities in
+the case. It is possible that the elder Jones owned an interest in the
+Continental and bequeathed it to his son. But is it probable? Remember,
+he was an islander, and a recluse."
+
+"More likely," said Beth, "Ajo's father left him a great fortune, which
+the boy invested in the Continental stock."
+
+"I have been told," remarked Aunt Jane thoughtfully, "that Continental
+stock cannot be bought at any price. It pays such enormous dividends that
+no owner will dispose of it."
+
+"The whole thing is perplexing in the extreme," declared Arthur. "The boy
+tells a story that at first seems frank and straightforward, yet his
+statements do not dovetail, so to speak."
+
+"I think he is holding something back," said Beth; "something that would
+explain all the discrepancies in his story. You were wrong, Uncle John,
+not to let him speak when he offered to tell you all."
+
+"There was something in his manner that made me revolt from forcing his
+confidence," was the reply.
+
+"There was something in his manner that made me think he was about
+to concoct a story that would satisfy our curiosity," said Louise
+with a shrug.
+
+Uncle John looked around the circle of faces.
+
+"You are not questioning the young fellow's sincerity, I hope?" said he.
+
+"I don't, for a single second!" asserted Patsy, stoutly. "He may have a
+queer history, and he may not have told us all of it, but Ajo is honest.
+I'll vouch for him!"
+
+"So will I, my dear," said Uncle John.
+
+"That is more than I can do, just at present," Arthur frankly stated. "My
+opinion is that his preposterous offer is mere bluff. If you accepted
+it, you would find him unable to do his part."
+
+"Then what is his object?" asked Maud.
+
+"I can't figure it out, as yet. He might pose as a millionaire and a
+generous friend and philanthropist for some time, before the truth was
+discovered, and during that time he could carry out any secret plans he
+had in mind. The boy is more shrewd than he appears to be. We, by chance
+saved his life, and at once he attached himself to us like a barnacle,
+and we can't shake him off."
+
+"We don't want to," said Patsy.
+
+"My explanation is that he has fallen in love with one of us
+girls," suggested Flo, with a mischievous glance at her sister. "I
+wonder if it's me?"
+
+"It is more likely," said Louise, "that he has discovered Uncle John to
+be a very--prosperous--man."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear!" exclaimed that gentleman, evidently irritated by the
+insinuation. "Don't pick the boy to pieces. Give him a chance. So far he
+has asked nothing from us, but offers everything. He's a grateful fellow
+and is anxious to help you girls carry out your ambitious plans. That is
+how I read him, and I think it is absurd to prejudge him in the way you
+are doing."
+
+The party broke up, the Stantons and Weldons going to their rooms. Beth
+also rose.
+
+"Are you coming to bed, Patsy?" she inquired.
+
+"Not just now," her cousin replied. "Between us, we've rubbed Uncle
+John's fur the wrong way and he won't get composed until he has
+smoked his good-night cigar. I'll sit with him in this corner and
+keep him company."
+
+So the little man and his favorite niece were left together, and he did
+not seem in the least ruffled as he lit his cigar and settled down in a
+big chair, with Patsy beside him, to enjoy it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+ISIDORE LE DRIEUX
+
+
+Perhaps the cigar was half gone when Patsy gave a sudden start and
+squeezed Uncle John's hand, which she had been holding in both her own.
+
+"What is it, my dear?"
+
+"The man I told you of. There he is, just across the lobby. The man with
+the gray clothes and gray hair."
+
+"Oh, yes; the one lighting a cigar."
+
+"Precisely."
+
+Uncle John gazed across the lobby reflectively. The stranger's eyes roved
+carelessly around the big room and then he moved with deliberate steps
+toward their corner. He passed several vacant chairs and settees on his
+way and finally paused before a lounging-chair not six feet distant from
+the one occupied by Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Pardon me; is this seat engaged, sir?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Uncle John, not very graciously, for it was a deliberate
+intrusion.
+
+The stranger sat down and for a time smoked his cigar in silence. He was
+so near them that Patsy forbore any conversation, knowing he would
+overhear it.
+
+Suddenly the man turned squarely in their direction and addressed them.
+
+"I hope you will pardon me, Mr. Merrick, if I venture to ask a
+question," said he.
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"I saw you talking with Mr. Jones this evening--A. Jones, you know, who
+says he came from Sangoa."
+
+"Didn't he?" demanded the old gentleman.
+
+The stranger smiled.
+
+"Perhaps; once on a time; allowing such a place exists. But his last
+journey was here from Austria."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+Mr. Merrick and Patsy were both staring at the man incredulously.
+
+"I am quite sure of that statement, sir; but I cannot prove it, as yet."
+
+"Ah! I thought not."
+
+Patsy had just told her uncle how she had detected this man stealthily
+watching Jones, and how he had followed the boy when he retired to his
+room. The present interview had, they both knew, something to do with
+this singular action. Therefore Mr. Merrick restrained his indignation at
+the stranger's pointed questioning. He realized quite well that the man
+had come to their corner determined to catechise them and gain what
+information he could. Patsy realized this, too. So, being forewarned,
+they hoped to learn his object without granting him the satisfaction of
+"pumping" them.
+
+"I suppose you are friends of this Mr. A. Jones," was his next remark.
+
+"We are acquaintances," said Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Has he ever mentioned his adventures in Austria to you?"
+
+"Are _you_ a friend of Mr. Jones?" demanded uncle John.
+
+"I am not even an acquaintance," said the man, smiling. "But I am
+interested in him, through a friend of mine who met him abroad. Permit me
+to introduce myself, sir."
+
+He handed them a card which read:
+
+      "ISADORE LE DRIEUX
+Importer of Pearls and Precious Stones
+        36 Maiden Lane,
+        New York City."
+
+"I have connections abroad, in nearly all countries," continued the man,
+"and it is through some of them that I have knowledge of this young
+fellow who has taken the name of A. Jones. In fact, I have a portrait of
+the lad, taken in Paris, which I will show you."
+
+He searched in his pocket and produced an envelope from which he
+carefully removed a photograph, which he handed to Uncle John. Patsy
+examined it, too, with a start of surprise. The thin features, the large
+serious eyes, even the closely set lips were indeed those of A. Jones.
+But in the picture he wore a small mustache.
+
+"It can't be _our_ A. Jones," murmured Patsy. "This one is older."
+
+"That is on account of the mustache," remarked Le Drieux, who was
+closely watching their faces. "This portrait was taken more than a
+year ago."
+
+"Oh; but he was in Sangoa then," protested Patsy, who was really
+bewildered by the striking resemblance.
+
+The stranger smiled indulgently.
+
+"As a matter of fact, there is no Sangoa." said he; "so we may doubt the
+young man's assertion that he was ever there."
+
+"Why are you interested in him?" inquired Mr. Merrick.
+
+"A natural question," said Le Drieux, after a moment of hesitation. "I
+know you well by reputation, Mr. Merrick, and believe I am justified in
+speaking frankly to you and your niece, provided you regard my statements
+as strictly confidential. A year ago I received notice from my friend in
+Austria that the young man had gone to America and he was anxious I
+should meet him. At the time I was too busy with my own affairs to look
+him up, but I recently came to California for a rest, and noticed the
+strong resemblance between the boy, A. Jones, and the portrait sent me.
+So I hunted up this picture and compared the two. In my judgment they are
+one and the same. What do _you_ think, sir?"
+
+"I believe there is a resemblance," answered Uncle John, turning the
+card over. "But here is a name on the back of the photograph: 'Jack
+Andrews.'"
+
+"Yes; this is Jack Andrews," said Le Drieux, nodding. "Have you ever
+heard the name before?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Well, Andrews is noted throughout Europe, and it is but natural he
+should desire to escape his notoriety by assuming another name out here.
+Do you note the similarity of the initials? 'J.A.' stand for Jack
+Andrews. Reverse them and 'A.J.' stand for A. Jones. By the way, what
+does he claim the 'A' means? Is it Andrew?"
+
+"It means nothing at all," said Patsy. "He told us so."
+
+"I see. You caught him unprepared. That isn't like Jack. He is always
+on guard."
+
+Both Patsy and Uncle John were by this time sorely perplexed. They had a
+feeling common to both of them, that the subject of this portrait and A.
+Jones were two separate and distinct persons; yet the resemblance could
+not be denied, if they were indeed the same, young Jones had deliberately
+lied to them, and recalling his various statements and the manner in
+which they had been made, they promptly acquitted the boy of the charge
+of falsehood.
+
+"For what was Jack Andrews noted throughout Europe?" inquired Mr.
+Merrick, after silently considering these things.
+
+"Well, he was a highflier, for one thing." answered Le Drieux. "He was
+known as a thorough 'sport' and, I am told, a clever gambler. He had a
+faculty of making friends, even among the nobility. The gilded youth of
+London, Paris and Vienna cultivated his acquaintance, and through them he
+managed to get into very good society. He was a guest at the splendid
+villa of Countess Ahmberg, near Vienna, when her magnificent collection
+of pearls disappeared. You remember that loss, and the excitement it
+caused, do you not?"
+
+"No, sir; I have never before heard of the Countess of Ahmberg or
+her pearls."
+
+"Well, the story filled the newspapers for a couple of weeks. The
+collection embraced the rarest and most valuable pearls known to exist."
+
+"And you accuse this man, Andrews, of stealing them?" asked Uncle John,
+tapping with his finger the portrait he still held.
+
+"By no means, sir; by no means!" cried Le Drieux hastily. "In fact, he
+was one of the few guests at the villa to whom no suspicion attached.
+From the moment the casket of pearls was last seen by the countess until
+their loss was discovered, every moment of Andrews' time was accounted
+for. His alibi was perfect and he was quite prominent in the unsuccessful
+quest of the thief."
+
+"The pearls were not recovered, then?"
+
+"No. The whole affair is still a mystery. My friend in Vienna, a pearl
+merchant like myself, assisted Andrews in his endeavor to discover the
+thief and, being much impressed by the young man's personality, sent me
+this photograph, asking me to meet him, as I have told you, when he
+reached America."
+
+"Is his home in this country?"
+
+"New York knows him, but knows nothing of his family or his history. He
+is popular there, spending money freely and bearing the reputation of an
+all-around good fellow. On his arrival there, a year ago, he led a gay
+life for a few days and then suddenly disappeared. No one knew what had
+become of him. When I found him here, under the name of A. Jones, the
+disappearance was solved."
+
+"I think," said Uncle John, "you are laboring under a serious, if
+somewhat natural, mistake. The subject of this picture is like A. Jones,
+indeed, but he is older and his expression more--more--"
+
+"Blase and sophisticated," said Patsy.
+
+"Thank you, my dear; I am no dictionary, and if those are real words they
+may convey my meaning. I feel quite sure, Mr. Le Drieux, that the story
+of Andrews can not be the story of young Jones."
+
+Le Drieux took the picture and replaced it in his pocket.
+
+"To err is human," said he, "and I will admit the possibility of my being
+mistaken in my man. But you will admit the resemblance?"
+
+"Yes. They might be brothers. But young Jones has said he has no
+brothers, and I believe him."
+
+Le Drieux sat in silence for a few minutes. Then he said:
+
+"I appealed to you, Mr. Merrick, because I was not thoroughly satisfied,
+in my own mind, of my conclusions. You have added to my doubts, I must
+confess, yet I cannot abandon the idea that the two men are one and the
+same. As my suspicion is only shared by you and your niece, in
+confidence, I shall devote myself for a few days to studying young Jones
+and observing his actions. In that way I may get a clue that will set all
+doubt at rest."
+
+"We will introduce you to him," said Patsy. "and then you may question
+him as much as you like."
+
+"Oh, no; I prefer not to make his acquaintance until I am quite sure,"
+was the reply. "If he is not Jack Andrews he would be likely to resent
+the insinuation that he is here trading under a false name. Good night,
+Mr. Merrick. Good night, Miss Doyle. I thank you for your courteous
+consideration."
+
+He had risen, and now bowed and walked away.
+
+"Well," said Patsy. "what was he after? And did he learn anything from
+us?"
+
+"He did most of the talking himself," replied Uncle John, looking after
+Le Drieux with a puzzled expression. "Of course he is not a jewel
+merchant."
+
+"No," said Patsy, "he's a detective, and I'll bet a toothpick to a match
+that he's on the wrong scent."
+
+"He surely is. Unfortunately, we cannot warn Ajo against him."
+
+"It isn't necessary, Uncle. Why, the whole thing is absurd. Our boy is
+not a gambler or roysterer, nor do I think he has ever been in Europe.
+Mr. Le Drieux will have to guess again!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A FEW PEARLS
+
+
+The next morning Patsy, Beth and Louise met in earnest conference over
+the important proposition made them by young Jones, and although Uncle
+John and Arthur Weldon were both present the men took no part in the
+discussion.
+
+"Some doubt has been expressed," said Beth judicially, "that Ajo is
+really able to finance this big venture. But he says he is, and that he
+will carry it through to the end, so I propose we let him do it."
+
+"Why not?" asked Louise. "If he succeeds, it will be glorious. If he
+fails, we will suffer in no way except through disappointment."
+
+"Well, shall we accept this offer, girls?"
+
+"First," said Louise, "let us consider what we will have to do, on our
+part, when the twenty theatres are built and the film factory is in
+operation."
+
+"We are to be the general managers," returned Patsy. "We must select the
+subjects, or plots, for the pictures, and order them made under our
+direction. Then we must see that all of our theatres present them in a
+proper manner, and we must invite children to come and see the shows. I
+guess that's all."
+
+"That will be enough to keep us busy, I'm sure," said Beth. "But we will
+gladly undertake it, and I am sure we shall prove good managers, as soon
+as we get acquainted with the details of the business."
+
+"It will give us the sort of employment we like," Patsy assured them.
+"Our first duty will be to plan these theatres for children, and make
+them as cosy and comfortable as possible, regardless of expense. Ajo will
+pay the bills, and when all the buildings are ready we will set to work
+in earnest."
+
+So, when A. Jones appeared he was told that the girls would gladly accept
+his proposition. The young man seemed greatly pleased by this verdict. He
+appeared to be much better and stronger to-day and he entered eagerly
+into a discussion of the plans in detail. Together they made a list of a
+string of twenty theatres, to be built in towns reaching from Santa
+Barbara on the north to San Diego in the south. The film factory was to
+be located in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Hollywood.
+
+This consumed the entire forenoon, and after lunch they met a prominent
+real estate man whom Jones had summoned to the hotel. This gentleman was
+given a copy of the list of locations and instructed to purchase in each
+town the best site that could be secured for a motion picture theatre.
+This big order made the real estate man open his eyes in surprise.
+
+"Do you wish me to secure options, or to purchase the land
+outright?" he asked.
+
+"Be sure of your locations and then close the deals at once," replied
+Jones. "We do not wish to waste time in useless dickering, and a location
+in the heart of each town, perhaps on the main street, is more important
+than the price. You will, of course, protect me from robbery to the best
+of your ability; but buy, even if the price is exorbitant. I will this
+afternoon place a hundred thousand dollars to your credit in the bank,
+with which to make advance payments, and when you notify me how much more
+is required I will forward my checks at once."
+
+"That is satisfactory, sir. I will do the best I can to guard your
+interests," said the man.
+
+When he had gone the girls accompanied Ajo in a motorcar to Los Angeles,
+to consult an architect. They visited several offices before the boy, who
+seemed to estimate men at a glance, found one that satisfied him. The
+girls explained with care to the architect their idea of a luxurious
+picture theatre for children, and when he had grasped their conception,
+which he did with enthusiasm, he suggested several improvements on their
+immature plans and promised to have complete drawings ready to submit to
+them in a few days.
+
+From the architect's office they drove to the German-American Bank, where
+Ajo gave his check for a hundred thousand dollars, to be placed to the
+credit of Mr. Wilcox, the real estate agent. The deference shown him by
+the cashier seemed to indicate that this big check was not the extent of
+A. Jones' credit there, by any means.
+
+As they drove back to Hollywood, Patsy could not help eyeing this
+youthful capitalist with wonder. During this day of exciting business
+deals the boy had behaved admirably, and there was no longer a shadow of
+doubt in the minds of any of Uncle John's nieces that he was both able
+and anxious to carry out his part of the agreement.
+
+Patsy almost giggled outright as she thought of Le Drieux and his
+ridiculous suspicions. One would have to steal a good many pearls in
+order to acquire a fortune to match that of the Sangoan.
+
+He was speaking of Sangoa now, in answer to a question of Beth's.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said he, "Sangoa is very beautiful, and the climate is
+even more mild than that of your Southern California. The north coast is
+a high bluff, on which is a splendid forest of rosewood and mahogany. My
+father would never allow any of these magnificent trees to be cut, except
+a few that were used in building our house."
+
+"But how do your people live? What is the principal industry of your
+islanders?" asked Beth.
+
+"My people are--fishermen," he said, and then the automobile drew up
+before the hotel entrance and the conversation ended.
+
+It was on the following afternoon, as they all met in the hotel lobby
+after lunch, that a messenger handed young Jones a neat parcel, for which
+a receipt was demanded. Ajo held the parcel in his hand a while,
+listening to the chatter of the girls, who were earnestly discussing
+plans for the new picture enterprise. Then very quietly and unobtrusively
+he unwrapped the package and laid upon the table beside him several small
+boxes bearing the name of a prominent jeweler.
+
+"I hope," said he, taking advantage of a pause caused by the girls
+observing this action, and growing visibly confused by their involuntary
+stares of curiosity; "I--I hope that you, my new friends, will pardon a
+liberty I have taken. I wanted to--to present those who were instrumental
+in saving my life with--with a--a slight token of my gratitude--a sort
+of--of--memento of a brave and generous act that gave me back the life I
+had carelessly jeopardized. No," as he saw surprise and protest written
+on their faces, "don't refuse me this pleasure, I implore you! The
+little--eh--eh--mementos are from my own Island of Sangoa, with the
+necessary mountings by a Los Angeles jeweler, and--please accept them!"
+
+As he spoke he handed to each of the girls a box, afterward giving one to
+Uncle John and another to Arthur. There remained upon the table three
+others. He penciled a name upon the bottom of each and then handed them
+to Patsy, saying:
+
+"Will you kindly present these, with my compliments, to the Misses
+Stanton, and to their aunt, when they return this evening? Thank you!"
+
+And then, before they could recover from their astonishment, he turned
+abruptly and fled to his room.
+
+The girls stared at one another a moment and then began laughing. Arthur
+seemed crestfallen, while Uncle John handled his small box as gingerly as
+if he suspected it contained an explosive.
+
+"How ridiculous!" cried Patsy, her blue eyes dancing. "And did you
+notice how scared poor Ajo was, and how he skipped as fearfully as though
+he had committed some crime? But I'm sure the poor boy meant well. Let's
+open our boxes, girls, and see what foolishness Ajo has been up to."
+
+Slipping off the cover of her box, Beth uttered a low cry of amazement
+and admiration. Then she held up a dainty lavalliere, with a pendant
+containing a superb pearl. Louise had the mate to this, but the one Patsy
+found had a pearl of immense size, its color being an exquisite shade of
+pink, such as is rarely seen. Arthur displayed a ring set with a splendid
+white pearl, while Uncle John's box contained a stick pin set with a huge
+black pearl of remarkable luster. Indeed, they saw at a glance that the
+size and beauty of all these pearls were very uncommon, and while the
+others expressed their enthusiastic delight, the faces of Mr. Merrick and
+Patsy Doyle were solemn and perplexed. They stared at the pearls with
+feelings of dismay, rather than joy, and chancing to meet one another's
+eyes they quickly dropped their gaze to avoid exchanging the ugly
+suspicion that had forced itself upon their minds.
+
+With a sudden thought Patsy raised her head to cast a searching glance
+around the lobby, for although their party was seated in an alcove they
+were visible to all in the big room of which it formed a part. Yes, Mr.
+Isidore Le Drieux was standing near them, as she had feared, and the
+slight sneer upon his lips proved that he had observed the transfer of
+the pearls.
+
+So the girl promptly clasped her lavalliere around her neck and openly
+displayed it, as a proud defiance, if not a direct challenge, to that
+detestable sneer.
+
+Arthur, admiring his ring in spite of his chagrin at receiving such a
+gift from a comparative stranger, placed the token on his finger.
+
+"It is a beauty, indeed," said he, "but I don't think we ought to accept
+such valuable gifts from this boy."
+
+"I do not see why," returned his wife Louise. "I think these pretty
+tributes for saving Mr. Jones' life are very appropriate. Of course
+neither Beth nor I had anything to do with that affair, but we are
+included in the distribution because it would be more embarrassing to
+leave us out of it."
+
+"And the pearls came from Sangoa," added Beth, "so all these precious
+gifts have cost Ajo nothing, except for their settings."
+
+"If Sangoa can furnish many such pearls as these," remarked Arthur,
+reflectively, "the island ought to be famous, instead of unknown. Their
+size and beauty render the gems priceless."
+
+"Well," said Patsy soberly, "we know now where A. Jones got his money,
+which is so plentiful that he can build any number of film factories and
+picture theatres. Sangoa must have wonderful pearl fisheries--don't you
+remember, girls, that he told us his people were fishermen?--for each of
+these specimens is worth a small fortune. Mine, especially, is the
+largest and finest pearl I have ever seen."
+
+"I beg your pardon!" sternly exclaimed Uncle John, as he whirled swiftly
+around. "Can I do anything for you, sir?"
+
+For Mr. Le Drieux had stealthily advanced to the alcove and was glaring
+at the display of pearls and making notes in a small book.
+
+He bowed, without apparent resentment, as he answered Mr. Merrick: "Thank
+you, sir; you have already served me admirably. Pardon my intrusion."
+
+Then he closed the book, slipped it into his pocket and with another low
+bow walked away.
+
+"What rank impertinence!" cried Arthur, staring after him. "Some
+newspaper reporter, I suppose. Do you know him, Uncle John?"
+
+"He forced an introduction, a few evenings ago. It is a pearl
+merchant from New York, named Le Drieux, so I suppose his curiosity
+is but natural."
+
+"Shall we keep our pearls, Uncle?" asked Beth.
+
+"I shall keep mine," replied the little man, who never wore any ornament
+of jewelry. "It was generous and thoughtful in young Jones to present
+these things and we ought not offend him by refusing his 'mementos,' as
+he calls them."
+
+Perhaps all the nieces were relieved to hear this verdict, for already
+they loved their beautiful gifts. That evening the Stanton girls and
+their Aunt Jane received their parcels, being fully as much surprised as
+the others had been, and their boxes also contained pearls. Flo and Maud
+had lavallieres, the latter receiving one as large and beautiful as that
+of Patsy Doyle, while Mrs. Montrose found a brooch set with numerous
+smaller pearls.
+
+Patsy urged them all to wear the ornaments to dinner that evening, which
+they did, and although Jones was not there to observe the effect of the
+splendid pearls, Mr. Le Drieux was at his place in the dining room and
+made more notes in his little book.
+
+That was exactly what Patsy wanted. "I can't stand the suspense of this
+thing," she whispered to Uncle John, "and if that man wants any
+information about these pearls I propose we give it to him. In that way
+he will soon discover he is wrong in suspecting the identity of Jack
+Andrews and A. Jones."
+
+Mr. Merrick nodded absently and went to his corner for a smoke. Arthur
+soon after joined him, while Aunt Jane took her bevy of girls to another
+part of the loge.
+
+"Le Drieux will be here presently," said Uncle John to young Weldon.
+
+"Oh, the fellow with the book. Why, sir?"
+
+"He's a detective, I think. Anyhow, he is shadowing Jones, whom he
+suspects is a thief."
+
+He then told Arthur frankly of his former conversation with Le Drieux,
+and of the puzzling photograph.
+
+"It really resembles the boy," he admitted, with a frown of perplexity,
+"yet at the same time I realized the whole thing was absurd. Neither
+Patsy nor I can believe that Jones is the man who robbed an Austrian
+countess. It's preposterous! And let me say right now, Arthur, that I'm
+going to stand by this young fellow, with all my influence, in case those
+hounds try to make him trouble."
+
+Arthur did not reply at once. He puffed his cigar silently while he
+revolved the startling accusation in his mind.
+
+"Both you and Patsy are staunch friends," he observed, after a while,
+"and I have noticed that your intuition as regards character is seldom
+at fault. But I advise you, in this instance, not to be hasty, for--"
+
+"I know; you are going to refer to those pearls."
+
+"Naturally. If I don't, Le Drieux will, as you have yourself prophesied.
+Pearls--especially such pearls as these--are rare and easy to recognize.
+The world does not contain many black-pearls, for instance, such as that
+you are wearing. An expert--a man with a photograph that strongly
+resembles young Jones--is tracing some stolen pearls of great value--a
+collection, I think you said. We find Jones, a man seemingly unknown
+here, giving away a number of wonderful pearls that are worthy a place in
+any collection. Admit it is curious, Uncle John. It may be all a
+coincidence, of course; but how do you account for it, sir?"
+
+"Jones has an island in the South Seas, a locality where most of the
+world's famous pearls have been found."
+
+"Sangoa?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It is not on any map. This man, Le Drieux, positively stated that there
+is no such island, did he not?"
+
+Uncle John rubbed his chin, a gesture that showed he was disturbed.
+
+"He was not positive. He said he thought there was no such island."
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"If Jones could lie about his island, he would be capable of the theft of
+those pearls," admitted Mr. Merrick reluctantly.
+
+"That is conclusive, sir."
+
+"But he isn't capable of the theft. Le Drieux states that Jack Andrews is
+a society swell, an all-around confidence man, and a gambler. Jones is a
+diffident and retiring, but a very manly young fellow, who loves quiet
+and seems to have no bad habits. You can't connect the two in any
+possible way."
+
+Again Arthur took time to consider.
+
+"I have no desire to suspect Jones unjustly," he said. "In fact, I have
+been inclined to like the fellow. And yet--his quaint stories and his
+foolish expenditures have made me suspicious from the first. You have
+scarcely done justice to his character in your description, sir. To us he
+appears diffident, retiring, and rather weak, in a way, while in his
+intercourse with Goldstein he shows a mailed fist. He can be hard as
+nails, on occasion, as we know, and at times he displays a surprising
+knowledge of the world and its ways--for one who has been brought up on
+an out-of-the-way island. What do we know about him, anyway? He tells a
+tale no one can disprove, for the South Seas are full of small islands,
+some of which are probably unrecorded on the charts. All this might
+possibly be explained by remembering that a man like Jack Andrews is
+undoubtedly a clever actor."
+
+"Exactly!" said a jubilant voice behind them, and Mr. Isidore Le Drieux
+stepped forward and calmly drew up a chair, in which he seated himself.
+"You will pardon me, gentlemen, for eavesdropping, but I was curious to
+know what you thought of this remarkable young man who calls himself
+'A. Jones.'"
+
+Arthur faced the intruder with a frown. He objected to being startled in
+this manner. "You are a detective?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, scarcely that, sir," Le Drieux replied in a deprecating way. "My
+printed card indicates that I am a merchant, but in truth I am a special
+agent, employed by the largest pearl and gem dealers in the world, a firm
+with branches in every large European and American city. My name is Le
+Drieux, sir, at your service," and with a flourish he presented his card.
+
+The young rancher preferred to study the man's face.
+
+"I am a sort of messenger," he continued, placidly. "When valuable
+consignments of jewels are to be delivered, I am the carrier instead of
+the express companies. The method is safer. In twenty-six years of this
+work I have never lost a single jewel."
+
+"One firm employs you exclusively, then?"
+
+"One firm. But it has many branches."
+
+"It is a trust?"
+
+"Oh, no; we have many competitors; but none very important. Our closest
+rival, for instance, has headquarters on this very coast--in San
+Francisco--but spreads, as we do, over the civilized world. Yet
+Jephson's--that's the firm--do not claim to equal our business. They deal
+mostly in pearls."
+
+"Pearls, eh?" said Arthur, musingly. "Then it was your firm that lost the
+valuable collection of pearls you mentioned to Mr. Merrick?"
+
+"No. They were the property of Countess Ahmberg, of Vienna. But we had
+sold many of the finest specimens to the countess and have records of
+their weight, size, shape and color. The one you are now wearing, sir,"
+pointing to Uncle John's scarf pin, "is one of the best black pearls ever
+discovered. It was found at Tremloe in 1883 and was originally purchased
+by our firm. In 1887 I took it to Tiffany, who sold it to Prince Godesky,
+of Warsaw. I carried it to him, with other valuable purchases, and after
+his death it was again resold to our firm. It was in October, 1904, that
+I again became the bearer of the pearl, delivering it safely to Countess
+Ahmberg at her villa. It was stolen from her, together with 188 other
+rare pearls, valued at a half million dollars, a little over a year ago."
+
+"This pearl, sir," said Uncle John stiffly, "is not the one you refer
+to. It was found on the shores of the island of Sangoa, and you have
+never seen it before."
+
+Le Drieux smiled sweetly as he brushed the ashes from his cigar.
+
+"I am seldom mistaken in a pearl, especially one that I have handled,"
+said he. "Moreover, a good pearl becomes historic, and it is my business
+to know the history of each and every one in existence."
+
+"Even those owned by Jephson's?" asked Arthur.
+
+"Yes; unless they were acquired lately. I have spoken in this manner in
+order that you may understand the statements I am about to make, and I
+beg you to listen carefully: Three daring pearl robberies have taken
+place within the past two years. The first was a collection scarcely
+inferior to that of the Countess Ahmberg. A bank messenger was carrying
+it through the streets of London one evening, to be delivered to Lady
+Grandison, when he was stabbed to the heart and the gems stolen.
+Singularly enough, Jack Andrews was passing by and found the dying
+messenger. He called for the police, but when they arrived the messenger
+had expired. The fate of the pearls has always remained a mystery,
+although a large reward has been offered for their recovery."
+
+"Oh; a reward."
+
+"Naturally, sir. Four months later Princess Lemoine lost her wonderful
+pearl necklace while sitting in a box at the Grand Opera in Paris. This
+was one of the cleverest thefts that ever baffled the police, for the
+necklace was never recovered. We know, however, that Jack Andrews
+occupied the box next to that of the princess. A coincidence--perhaps. We
+now come to the robbery of the Countess Ahmberg, the third on the list.
+Jack Andrews was a guest at her house, as I have explained to you. No
+blame has ever attached to this youthful adventurer, yet my firm, always
+interested in the pearls they have sold, advised me to keep an eye on him
+when he returned to America. I did so.
+
+"Now, Mr. Merrick, I will add to the tale I told you the other night.
+Andrews behaved very well for a few weeks after he landed at New York;
+then he disposed of seven fine pearls and--disappeared. They were not
+notable pearls, especially, but two of them I was able to trace to the
+necklace of Princess Lemoine. I cabled my firm. They called attention to
+the various rewards offered and urged me to follow Andrews. That was
+impossible; he had left no clue. But chance favored me. Coming here to
+Los Angeles on business, I suddenly ran across my quarry: Jack Andrews.
+He has changed a bit. The mustache is gone, he is in poor health, and I
+am told he was nearly drowned in the ocean the other day. So at first I
+was not sure of my man. I registered at this hotel and watched him
+carefully. Sometimes I became positive he was Andrews; at other times I
+doubted. But when he began distributing pearls to you, his new friends,
+all doubt vanished. There, gentlemen, is my story in a nutshell. What do
+you think of it?"
+
+Both Mr. Merrick and young Weldon had listened with rapt interest, but
+their interpretation of the tale, which amounted to a positive
+accusation of A. Jones, showed the difference in the two men's natures.
+
+"I think you are on the wrong trail, sir," answered Mr. Merrick.
+"Doubtless you have been misled by a casual resemblance, coupled with
+the fact that Andrews is suspected of stealing pearls and Jones is known
+to possess pearls--the pearls being of rare worth in both cases. Still,
+you are wrong. For instance, if you have the weight and measurement of
+the Tremloe black pearl, you will find they do not fit the pearl I am
+now wearing."
+
+Le Drieux smiled genially.
+
+"It is unnecessary to make the test, sir," he replied. "The pearl Andrews
+gave to Miss Doyle is as unmistakable as your own. But I am curious to
+hear your opinion, Mr. Weldon."
+
+"I have been suspicious of young Jones from the first," said Arthur; "but
+I have been studying this boy's character, and he is positively incapable
+of the crimes you accuse him of, such as robbery and murder. In other
+words, whatever Jones may be, he is not Andrews; or, if by chance he
+proves to be Andrews, then Andrews is innocent of crime. All your
+theories are based upon a desire to secure rewards, backed by a chain of
+circumstantial evidence."
+
+"A chain," said Le Drieux, grimly, "that will hold Jack Andrews fast in
+its coils, clever though he is."
+
+"Circumstantial evidence," retorted Mr. Merrick, "doesn't amount to
+shucks! It is constantly getting good people into trouble and allowing
+rascals to escape. Nothing but direct evidence will ever convince me that
+a man is guilty."
+
+Le Drieux shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"The pearls are evidence enough," said he.
+
+"To be sure. Evidence enough to free the poor boy of suspicion. You may
+be a better messenger than you are a detective, Mr. Le Drieux, but that
+doesn't convince me you are a judge of pearls."
+
+The agent rose with a frown of annoyance.
+
+"I am going to have Jack Andrews arrested in the morning," he remarked.
+"If you warn him, in the meantime, I shall charge you with complicity."
+
+Uncle John nearly choked with anger, but he maintained his dignity.
+
+"I have no knowledge of your Jack Andrews," he replied, and turned his
+back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+TROUBLE
+
+
+Uncle John and Arthur decided not to mention to the girls this astounding
+charge of Isidore Le Drieux, fearing the news would make them nervous and
+disturb their rest, so when the men joined the merry party in the alcove
+they did not refer to their late interview.
+
+Afterward, however, when all but Arthur Weldon had gone to bed and he was
+sitting in Uncle John's room, the two discussed the matter together with
+much seriousness.
+
+"We ought to do something, sir," said Arthur. "This Jones is a mere
+boy, and in poor health at that. He has no friends, so far as we
+know, other than ourselves. Therefore it is our duty to see him
+through this trouble."
+
+Mr. Merrick nodded assent.
+
+"We cannot prevent the arrest," he replied, "for Le Drieux will not
+listen to reason. If we aided Jones to run away he would soon be caught.
+Absurd as the charge is, the youngster must face it and prove his
+innocence."
+
+Arthur paced the floor in a way that indicated he was disturbed by
+this verdict.
+
+"He ought to have no difficulty in proving he is not Jack Andrews," he
+remarked, reflectively; "and yet--those pearls are difficult to explain.
+Their similarity to the ones stolen in Europe fooled the expert, Le
+Drieux, and they are likely to fool a judge or jury. I hope Jones has
+some means of proving that he brought the pearls from Sangoa. That would
+settle the matter at once."
+
+"As soon as he is arrested we will get him a lawyer--the best in this
+country," said Mr. Merrick. "More than that we cannot do, but a good
+lawyer will know the proper method of freeing his client."
+
+The next morning they were up early, awaiting developments; but Le Drieux
+seemed in no hurry to move. He had breakfast at about nine o'clock, read
+his newspaper for a half hour or so, and then deliberately left the
+hotel. All of Mr. Merrick's party had breakfasted before this and soon
+after Le Drieux had gone away young Jones appeared in the lobby. He was
+just in time to see the Stanton girls drive away in their automobile,
+accompanied by their Aunt Jane.
+
+"The motion picture stars must be late to-day," said the boy, looking
+after them.
+
+"They are," answered Patsy, standing beside him at the window; "but Maud
+says this happens to be one of their days of leisure. No picture is to be
+taken and they have only to rehearse a new play. But it's a busy life,
+seems to me, and it would really prove hard work if the girls didn't
+enjoy it so much."
+
+"Yes," said he, "it's a fascinating profession. I understand, and nothing
+can be called _work_ that is interesting. When we are obliged to do
+something that we do not like to do, it becomes 'work.' Otherwise, what
+is usually called 'work' is mere play, for it furnishes its quota of
+amusement."
+
+He was quite unconscious of any impending misfortune and when Beth and
+Louise joined Patsy in thanking him for his pretty gifts of the pearls he
+flushed with pleasure. Evidently their expressions of delight were very
+grateful to his ears.
+
+Said Uncle John, in a casual way: "Those are remarkably fine pearls, to
+have come from such an island as Sangoa."
+
+"But we find much better ones there, I assure you," replied the boy. "I
+have many in my room of much greater value, but did not dare ask you to
+accept them as gifts."
+
+"Do many pearls come from Sangoa, then?" asked Arthur.
+
+"That is our one industry," answered the young man. "Many years ago my
+father discovered the pearl fisheries. It was after he had purchased the
+island, but he recognized the value of the pearls and brought a colony of
+people from America to settle at Sangoa and devote their time to pearl
+fishing. Once or twice every year we send a ship to market with a
+consignment of pearls to our agent, and--to be quite frank with you--that
+is why I am now able to build the picture theatres I have contracted for,
+as well as the film factory."
+
+"I see," said Uncle John. "But tell me this, please: Why is Sangoa so
+little known, or rather, so quite unknown?"
+
+"My father," Jones returned, "loved quiet and seclusion. He was willing
+to develop the pearl fisheries, but objected to the flock of adventurers
+sure to descend upon his island if its wealth of pearls became generally
+known. His colony he selected with great care and with few exceptions
+they are a sturdy, wholesome lot, enjoying the peaceful life of Sangoa
+and thoroughly satisfied with their condition there. It is only within
+the last two years that our American agents knew where our pearls came
+from, yet they could not locate the island if they tried. I do not feel
+the same desire my father did to keep the secret, although I would
+dislike to see Sangoa overrun with tourists or traders."
+
+He spoke so quietly and at the same time so convincingly that both
+Arthur and Uncle John accepted his explanation unquestioningly.
+Nevertheless, in the embarrassing dilemma in which Jones would presently
+be involved, the story would be sure to bear the stamp of unreality to
+any uninterested hearer.
+
+The girls had now begun to chatter over the theatre plans, and their
+"financial backer"--as Patsy Doyle called him--joined them with eager
+interest. Arthur sat at a near-by desk writing a letter; Uncle John
+glanced over the morning paper; Inez, the Mexican nurse, brought baby to
+Louise for a kiss before it went for a ride in its perambulator.
+
+An hour had passed when Le Drieux entered the lobby in company with a
+thin-faced, sharp-eyed man in plain clothes. They walked directly toward
+the group that was seated by the open alcove window, and Arthur Weldon,
+observing them and knowing what was about to happen, rose from the
+writing-desk and drew himself tensely together as he followed them. Uncle
+John lowered his paper, frowned at Le Drieux and then turned his eyes
+upon the face of young Jones.
+
+It was the thin-featured man who advanced and lightly touched the
+boy's arm.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said he, in even, unemotional tones. "You are Mr.
+Andrews, I believe--Mr. Jack Andrews?"
+
+The youth turned his head to look at his questioner.
+
+"No, sir," he answered with a smile. "A case of mistaken identity. My
+name is Jones." Then, continuing his speech to Patsy Doyle, he said:
+"There is no need to consider the acoustic properties of our theatres,
+for the architect--"
+
+"Pardon me again," interrupted the man, more sternly. "I am positive this
+is _not_ a case of mistaken identity. We have ample proof that Jack
+Andrews is parading here, under the alias of 'A. Jones.'"
+
+The boy regarded him with a puzzled expression.
+
+"What insolence!" muttered Beth in an under-tone but audible enough to be
+distinctly heard.
+
+The man flushed slightly and glanced at Le Drieux, who nodded his head.
+Then he continued firmly:
+
+"In any event, sir, I have a warrant for your arrest, and I hope you will
+come with me quietly and so avoid a scene."
+
+The boy grew pale and then red. His eyes narrowed as he stared fixedly at
+the officer. But he did not change his position, nor did he betray
+either fear or agitation. In a voice quite unmoved he asked:
+
+"On what charge do you arrest me?"
+
+"You are charged with stealing a valuable collection of pearls from the
+Countess Ahmberg, at Vienna, about a year ago."
+
+"But I have never been in Vienna."
+
+"You will have an opportunity to prove that."
+
+"And my name is not Andrews."
+
+"You must prove that, also."
+
+The boy thought for a moment. Then he asked:
+
+"Who accuses me?"
+
+"This gentleman; Mr. Le Drieux. He is an expert in pearls, knows
+intimately all those in the collection of the countess and has recognized
+several which you have recently presented to your friends, as among those
+you brought from Austria."
+
+Again Jones smiled.
+
+"This is absurd, sir," he remarked.
+
+The officer returned the smile, but rather grimly.
+
+"It is the usual protest, Mr. Andrews. I don't blame you for the denial,
+but the evidence against you is very strong. Will you come? And quietly?"
+
+"I am unable to offer physical resistance," replied the young fellow,
+as he slowly rose from his chair and displayed his thin figure.
+"Moreover," he added, with a touch of humor, "I believe there's a fine
+for resisting an officer. I suppose you have a legal warrant. May I be
+permitted to see it?"
+
+The officer produced the warrant. Jones perused it slowly and then handed
+it to Mr. Merrick, who read it and passed it back to the officer.
+
+"What shall I do, sir?" asked the boy.
+
+"Obey the law," answered Uncle John. "This officer is only the law's
+instrument and it is useless to argue with him. But I will go with you to
+the police station and furnish bail."
+
+Le Drieux shook his head.
+
+"Quite impossible, Mr. Merrick," he said. "This is not a bailable
+offense."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"I am positive. This is an extradition case, of international
+importance. Andrews, after an examination, will be taken to New York and
+from there to Vienna, where his crime was committed."
+
+"But he has committed no crime!"
+
+Le Drieux shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"He is accused, and he must prove his innocence," said he.
+
+"But that is nonsense!" interposed Arthur warmly. "There is no justice in
+such an assertion. If I know anything of the purpose of the law, and I
+think I do, you must first prove this man's guilt before you carry him to
+Austria to be tried by a foreign court."
+
+"I don't care a snap for the purpose of the law," retorted Le Drieux.
+"Our treaty with Austria provides for extradition, and that settles
+it. This man is already under arrest. The judge who issued the warrant
+believes that Jones is Jack Andrews and that Jack Andrews stole the
+pearls from the Countess Ahmberg. Of course, the prisoner will have a
+formal examination, when he may defend himself as best he can, but we
+haven't made this move without being sure of our case, and it will be
+rather difficult for him to escape the penalty of his crimes, clever
+as he is."
+
+"Clever?" It was Jones himself who asked this, wonderingly.
+
+Le Drieux bowed to him with exaggerated politeness.
+
+"I consider you the cleverest rogue in existence," said he. "But even the
+cleverest may be trapped, in time, and your big mistake was in disposing
+of those pearls so openly. See here," he added, taking from his pocket a
+small packet. "Here are the famous Taprobane pearls--six of them--which
+were found in your room a half hour ago. They, also, were a part of the
+countess' collection."
+
+"Oh, you have been to my room?"
+
+"Under the authority of the law."
+
+"And you have seen those pearls before?"
+
+"Several times. I am an expert in pearls and can recognize their value at
+a glance," said Le Drieux with much dignity.
+
+Jones gave a little chuckle and then turned deprecatingly to Mr. Merrick.
+
+"You need not come with me to the station, sir," said he; "but, if you
+wish to assist me, please send me a lawyer and then go to the Continental
+and tell Mr. Goldstein of my predicament."
+
+"I will do that," promptly replied Uncle John.
+
+Jones turned to bow to the girls.
+
+"I hope you young ladies can forgive this disgraceful scene," he remarked
+in a tone of regret rather then humiliation. "I do not see how any effort
+of mine could have avoided it. It seems to be one of the privileges of
+the people's guardians, in your free country, to arrest and imprison
+anyone on a mere suspicion of crime. Here is a case in which someone has
+sadly blundered, and I imagine it is the pompous gentleman who claims to
+know pearls and does not," with a nod toward Le Drieux, who scowled
+indignantly.
+
+"It is an outrage!" cried Beth.
+
+"It's worse than that," said Patsy; "but of course you can easily prove
+your innocence."
+
+"If I have the chance," the boy agreed. "But at present I am a prisoner
+and must follow my captor."
+
+He turned to the officer and bowed to indicate that he was ready to go.
+Arthur shook the young fellow's hand and promised to watch his interests
+in every possible way.
+
+"Go with him now, Arthur," proposed Louise. "It's a hard thing to be
+taken to jail and I'm sure he needs a friend at his side at this time."
+
+"Good advice," agreed Uncle John. "Of course they'll give him a
+preliminary hearing before locking him up, and if you'll stick to him
+I'll send on a lawyer in double-quick time."
+
+"Thank you," said the boy. "The lawyer first, Mr. Merrick, and then
+Goldstein."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+UNCLE JOHN IS PUZZLED
+
+
+Uncle John was off on his errands even before Jones and Arthur Weldon
+had driven away from the hotel with the officer and Le Drieux. There had
+been no "scene" and none of the guests of the hotel had any inkling of
+the arrest.
+
+Uncle John had always detested lawyers and so he realized that he was
+sure to be a poor judge of the merits of any legal gentleman he might
+secure to defend Jones.
+
+"I may as well leave it to chance," he grumbled, as he drove down the
+main boulevard. "The rascals are all alike!"
+
+Glancing to this side and that, he encountered a sign on a building:
+"Fred A. Colby, Lawyer."
+
+"All right; I mustn't waste time," he said, and stopping his driver he
+ascended a stairway to a gloomy upper hall. Here the doors, all in a row,
+were alike forbidding, but one of them bore the lawyer's name, so Mr.
+Merrick turned the handle and abruptly entered.
+
+A sallow-faced young man, in his shirt-sleeves, was seated at a table
+littered with newspapers and magazines, engaged in the task of putting
+new strings on a battered guitar. As his visitor entered he looked up in
+surprise and laid down the instrument.
+
+"I want to see Colby, the lawyer," began Uncle John, regarding the
+disordered room with strong disapproval.
+
+"You are seeing him," retorted the young man, with a fleeting smile, "and
+I'll bet you two to one that if you came here on business you will
+presently go away and find another lawyer."
+
+"Why?" questioned Mr. Merrick, eyeing him more closely.
+
+"I don't impress people," explained Colby, picking up the guitar again.
+"I don't inspire confidence. As for the law, I know it as well as
+anyone--which is begging the question--but when I'm interviewed I have
+to admit I've had no experience."
+
+"No practice?"
+
+"Just a few collections, that's all I sleep on that sofa yonder, eat at
+a cafeteria, and so manage to keep body and soul together. Once in a
+while a stranger sees my sign and needs a lawyer, so he climbs the
+stairs. But when he meets me face to face he beats a hasty retreat."
+
+As he spoke, Colby tightened a string and began strumming it to get it
+tuned. Uncle John sat down on the one other chair in the room and
+thought a moment.
+
+"You've been admitted to the bar?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir. Graduate of the Penn Law School."
+
+"Then you know enough to defend an innocent man from an unjust
+accusation?"
+
+Colby laid down the guitar.
+
+"Ah!" said he, "this grows interesting. I really believe you have half a
+mind to give me your case. Sir, I know enough, I hope, to defend an
+innocent man; but I can't promise, offhand, to save him, even from an
+unjust accusation."
+
+"Why not? Doesn't law stand for justice?"
+
+"Perhaps; in the abstract. Anyhow, there's a pretty fable to that effect.
+But law in the abstract, and law as it is interpreted and applied, are
+not even second cousins. To be quite frank, I'd rather defend a guilty
+person than an innocent one. The chances are I'd win more easily. Are you
+sure your man is innocent?"
+
+Uncle John scowled.
+
+"Perhaps I'd better find another lawyer who is more optimistic," he said.
+
+"Oh, I'm full of optimism, sir. My fault is that I'm not well known in
+the courts and have no arrangement to divide my fees with the powers that
+be. But I've been observing and I know the tricks of the trade as well as
+any lawyer in California. My chief recommendation, however, is that I'm
+eager to get a case, for my rent is sadly overdue. Why not try me, just
+to see what I'm able to do? I'd like to find that out myself."
+
+"This is a very important matter," asserted Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Very. If I'm evicted for lack of rent-money my career is crippled."
+
+"I mean the case is a serious one."
+
+"Are you willing to pay for success?"
+
+"Liberally."
+
+"Then I'll win it for you. Don't judge my ability by my present
+condition, sir. Tell me your story and I'll get to work at once."
+
+Uncle John rose with sudden decision.
+
+"Put on your coat," he said, and while Colby obeyed with alacrity he gave
+him a brief outline of the accusation brought against Jones. "I want you
+to take my car," he added, "and hasten to the police station, that you
+may be present at the preliminary examination. There will be plenty of
+time to talk afterward."
+
+Colby nodded. His coat and hat made the young lawyer quite presentable
+and without another word he followed Mr. Merrick down the stairs and took
+his seat in the motorcar. Next moment he was whirling down the street and
+Uncle John looked after him with a half puzzled expression, as if he
+wondered whether or not he had blundered in his choice of a lawyer.
+
+A little later he secured a taxicab and drove to the office of the
+Continental Film Manufacturing Company. Mr. Goldstein was in his office
+but sent word that he was too busy to see visitors. Nevertheless, when
+Mr. Merrick declared he had been sent by A. Jones, he was promptly
+admitted to the manager's sanctum.
+
+"Our friend, young Jones," he began, "has just been arrested by a
+detective."
+
+Goldstein's nervous jump fairly raised him off his chair; but in
+an instant he settled back and shot an eager, interested look at
+his visitor.
+
+"What for, Mr. Merrick?" he demanded.
+
+"For stealing valuable pearls from some foreign woman. A trumped-up
+charge, of course."
+
+Goldstein rubbed the palms of his hands softly together. His face wore a
+look of supreme content.
+
+"Arrested! Ah, that is bad, Mr. Merrick. It is very bad indeed. And it
+involves us--the Continental, you know--in an embarrassing manner."
+
+"Why so?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Can't you see, sir?" asked the manager, trying hard to restrain a
+smile. "If the papers get hold of this affair, and state that our
+president--our biggest owner--the man who controls the Continental
+stock--is a common thief, the story will--eh--eh--put a bad crimp in
+our business, so to speak."
+
+Uncle John looked at the man thoughtfully.
+
+"So Jones controls the Continental, eh?" he said. "How long since, Mr.
+Goldstein?"
+
+"Why, since the January meeting, a year and more ago. It was an
+astonishing thing, and dramatic--believe _me_! At the annual meeting of
+stockholders in walks this stripling--a mere kid--proves that he holds
+the majority of stock, elects himself president and installs a new board
+of directors, turning the tired and true builders of the business out in
+the cold. Then, without apology, promise or argument, President Jones
+walks out again! In an hour he upset the old conditions, turned our
+business topsy-turvy and disappeared with as little regard for the
+Continental as if it had been a turnip. That stock must have cost him
+millions, and how he ever got hold of it is a mystery that has kept us
+all guessing ever since. The only redeeming feature of the affair was
+that the new board of directors proved decent and Jones kept away from us
+all and let us alone. I'd never seen him until he came here a few days
+ago and began to order me around. So, there, Mr. Merrick, you know as
+much about Jones as I do."
+
+Mr. Merrick was perplexed. The more he heard of young Jones the more
+amazing; the boy seemed to be.
+
+"Has the Continental lost money since Jones took possession?" he
+inquired.
+
+"I think not," replied Goldstein, cautiously. "You're a business man, Mr.
+Merrick, and can understand that our machinery--our business system--is
+so perfect that it runs smoothly, regardless of who grabs the dividends.
+What I object to is this young fellow's impertinence in interfering with
+my work here. He walks in, reverses my instructions to my people, orders
+me to do unbusinesslike things and raises hob with the whole
+organization."
+
+"Well, it belongs to him, Goldstein," said Uncle John, in defense of
+the boy. "He is your employer and has the right to dictate. But just at
+present he needs your help. He asked me to come here and tell you of
+his arrest."
+
+Goldstein shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"His arrest is none of my business," was his reply. "If Jones stole the
+money to buy Continental stock he must suffer the consequences. I'm
+working for the stock, not for the individual."
+
+"But surely you will go to the station and see what can be done for him?"
+protested Uncle John.
+
+"Surely I will not," retorted the manager. "What's the use? There isn't
+even a foot of good picture film in so common a thing as the arrest of a
+thief--and the censors would forbid it if there were. Let Jones fight
+his own battles."
+
+"It occurs to me," suggested Mr. Merrick, who was growing indignant,
+"that Mr. Jones will be able to satisfy the court that he is not a thief,
+and so secure his freedom without your assistance. What will happen then,
+Mr. Goldstein?"
+
+"Then? Why, it is still none of my business. I'm the manager of a motion
+picture concern--one of the biggest concerns in the world--and I've
+nothing to do with the troubles of my stockholders."
+
+He turned to his desk and Mr. Merrick was obliged to go away without
+farther parley. On his way out he caught a glimpse of Maud Stanton
+passing through the building. She was dressed in the costume of an Indian
+princess and looked radiantly beautiful. Uncle John received a nod and a
+smile and then she was gone, without as yet a hint of the misfortune that
+had overtaken A. Jones of Sangoa.
+
+Returning to the hotel, rather worried and flustered by the morning's
+events, he found the girls quietly seated in the lobby, busy over their
+embroidery.
+
+"Well, Uncle," said Patsy, cheerfully, "is Ajo still in limbo?"
+
+"I suppose so," he rejoined, sinking into an easy chair beside her. "Is
+Arthur back yet?"
+
+"No," said Louise, answering for her husband, "he is probably staying to
+do all he can for the poor boy."
+
+"Did you get a lawyer?" inquired Beth.
+
+"I got a fellow who claims to be a lawyer; but I'm not sure he will be
+of any use."
+
+Then he related his interview with Colby, to the amusement of his nieces,
+all three of whom approved the course he had taken and were already
+prepared to vouch for the briefless barrister's ability, on the grounds
+that eccentricity meant talent.
+
+"You see," explained Miss Patsy, "he has nothing else to do but jump
+heart and soul into this case, so Ajo will be able to command his
+exclusive services, which with some big, bustling lawyer would be
+impossible."
+
+Luncheon was over before Arthur finally appeared, looking somewhat grave
+and perturbed.
+
+"They won't accept bail," he reported. "Jones must stay in jail until his
+formal examination, and if they then decide that he is really Jack
+Andrews he will remain in jail until his extradition papers arrive."
+
+"When will he be examined?" asked Louise.
+
+"Whenever the judge feels in the humor, it seems. Our lawyer demanded
+Jones' release at once, on the ground that a mistake of identity had
+been made; but the stupid judge is of the opinion that the charge
+against our friend is valid. At any rate he refused to let him go. He
+wouldn't even argue the case at present. He issues a warrant on a
+charge of larceny, claps a man in jail whether innocent or not, and
+refuses to let him explain anything or prove his innocence until a
+formal examination is held."
+
+"There is some justice in that," remarked Uncle John. "Suppose Jones is
+guilty; it would be a mistake to let him go free until a thorough
+examination had been made."
+
+"And if he is innocent, he will have spent several days in jail, been
+worried and disgraced, and there is no redress for the false
+imprisonment. The judge won't even apologize to him!"
+
+"It's all in the interests of law and order, I suppose," said Patsy; "but
+the law seems dreadfully inadequate to protect the innocent. I suppose
+it's because the courts are run by cheap and incompetent people who
+couldn't earn a salary in any other way."
+
+"Someone must run them, and it isn't an ambitious man's job," replied
+Uncle John. "What do you think of the lawyer I sent you, Arthur?"
+
+The young ranchman smiled.
+
+"He's a wonder, Uncle. He seemed to know more about the case than Jones
+or I did, and more about the law than the judge did. He's an
+irrepressible fellow, and told that rascal Le Drieux a lot about pearls
+that the expert never had heard before. Where did you find him, sir?"
+
+Uncle John explained.
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "I think Jones is in good hands. Colby has secured
+him a private room at the jail, with a bath and all the comforts of home.
+Meals are to be sent in from a restaurant and when I left the place the
+jailer had gone out to buy Jones a stock of books to while away his
+leisure hours--which are bound to be numerous. I'd no idea a prisoner
+could live in such luxury."
+
+"Money did it, I suppose," Patsy shrewdly suggested.
+
+"Yes. Jones wrote a lot of checks. Colby got a couple of hundred for a
+retaining fee and gleefully informed us it was more money than he had
+ever owned at one time in all his previous career. I think he will earn
+it, however."
+
+"Where is he now?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Visiting all the newspaper offices, to 'buy white space,' as he put it.
+In other words, Colby will bribe the press to silence, at least until
+the case develops."
+
+"I'm glad of that," exclaimed Beth. "What do you think of this queer
+business, Arthur?"
+
+"Why, I've no doubt of the boy's innocence, if that is what you mean.
+I've watched him closely and am positive he is no more Jack Andrews than
+I am. But I fear he will have a hard task to satisfy the judge that he is
+falsely accused. It would be an admission of error, you see, and so the
+judge will prefer to find him guilty. It is this same judge--Wilton, I
+think his name is--who will conduct the formal examination, and to-day he
+openly sneered at the mention of Sangoa. On the other hand, he evidently
+believed every statement made by Le Drieux about the identity of the
+pearls found in Jones' possession. Le Drieux has a printed list of the
+Ahmberg pearls, and was able to check the Jones' pearls off this list
+with a fair degree of accuracy. It astonished even me, and I could see
+that Jones was equally amazed."
+
+"Wouldn't it be queer if they convicted him!" exclaimed Beth.
+
+"It would be dreadful, since he is innocent," said Patsy.
+
+"There is no need to worry about that just at present," Arthur assured
+them. "I am placing a great deal of confidence in the ability of
+Lawyer Colby."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+DOUBTS AND DIFFICULTIES
+
+
+The Stanton girls and Mrs. Montrose came in early that afternoon. They
+had heard rumors of the arrest of Jones and were eager to learn what had
+occurred. Patsy and Beth followed them to their rooms to give them every
+known detail and canvass the situation in all its phases.
+
+"Goldstein has been an angel all afternoon," said Flo. "He grinned
+and capered about like a schoolboy and some of us guessed he'd been
+left a fortune."
+
+"He ought to be ashamed of himself." Patsy indignantly asserted. "The man
+admitted to Uncle John that Ajo is the biggest stockholder in the
+Continental, the president, to boot; yet Goldstein wouldn't lift a finger
+to help him and positively refused to obey his request to go to him after
+he was arrested."
+
+"I know about that," said Aunt Jane, quietly. "Goldstein talked to me
+about the affair this afternoon and declared his conviction that young
+Jones is really a pearl thief. He has taken a violent dislike to the boy
+and is delighted to think his stock will be taken away from him."
+
+Maud had silently listened to this dialogue as she dressed for dinner.
+But now she impetuously broke into the conversation, saying:
+
+"Something definite ought to be done for the boy. He needs intelligent
+assistance. I'm afraid his situation is serious."
+
+"That is what Arthur thinks," said Beth. "He says that unless he can
+furnish proof that he is not Jack Andrews, and that he came by those
+pearls honestly, he will be shipped to Austria for trial. No one knows
+what those foreigners will do to him, but he would probably fare badly
+in their hands."
+
+"Such being the logical conclusion," said Maud, "we must make our fight
+now, at the examination."
+
+"Uncle John has engaged a lawyer," announced Patsy, "and if he proves
+bright and intelligent he ought to be able to free Ajo."
+
+"I'd like to see that lawyer, and take his measure," answered Maud,
+musingly, and her wish was granted soon after they had finished dinner.
+Colby entered the hotel, jaunty as ever, and Arthur met him and
+introduced him to the girls.
+
+"You must forgive me for coming on a disagreeable mission," began the
+young attorney, "but I have promised the judge that I would produce all
+the pearls Mr. Jones gave you, not later than to-morrow morning. He wants
+them as evidence, and to compare privately with Le Drieux's list,
+although he will likely have the expert at his elbow. So I can't promise
+that you will ever get your jewels back again."
+
+"Oh. You think, then, that Mr. Jones is guilty?" said Maud coldly.
+
+"No, indeed; I believe he is innocent. A lawyer should never suspect his
+client, you know. But to win I must prove my case, and opposed to me is
+that terrible Le Drieux, who insists he is never mistaken."
+
+"Arthur--Mr. Weldon--says you understand pearls as well as Mr. Le Drieux
+does," suggested Patsy.
+
+"I thank him; but he is in error. I chattered to the judge about
+pearls, it is true, because I found he couldn't tell a pearl from a
+glass bead; and I believe I even perplexed Le Drieux by hinting at a
+broad knowledge on the subject which I do not possess. It was all a bit
+of bluff on my part. But by to-morrow morning this knowledge will be a
+fact, for I've bought a lot of books on pearls and intend to sit up all
+night reading them."
+
+"That was a clever idea," said Uncle John, nodding approval.
+
+"So my mission here this evening is to get the pearls, that I may study
+them as I read," continued Colby. "Heretofore I've only seen the things
+through a plate glass window, or a show case. The success of our defense
+depends upon our refuting Le Drieux's assertion that the pearls found in
+Jones' possession are a part of the Countess Ahmberg's collection. He has
+a full description of the stolen gems and I must be prepared to show
+that none of the Jones' pearls is on the list."
+
+"Can you do that?" asked Maud.
+
+She was gazing seriously into the young man's eyes and this caused him to
+blush and stammer a little as he replied:
+
+"I--I hope to, Miss Stanton."
+
+"And are you following no other line of defense?" she inquired.
+
+He sat back and regarded the girl curiously for a moment.
+
+"I would like you to suggest some other line of defense," he replied.
+"I've tried to find one--and failed."
+
+"Can't you prove he is not Jack Andrews?"
+
+"Not if the identity of the pearls is established," said the lawyer. "If
+the pearls were stolen, and if Jones cannot explain how he obtained
+possession of them, the evidence is _prima facia_ that he _is_ Jack
+Andrews, or at least his accomplice. Moreover, his likeness to the
+photograph is somewhat bewildering, you must admit."
+
+This gloomy view made them all silent for a time, each thoughtfully
+considering the matter. Then Maud asked:
+
+"Do you know the cash value of Mr. Jones' stock in the Continental
+Film Company?"
+
+Colby shook his head, but Uncle John replied:
+
+"Goldstein told me it is worth millions."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed the girl. "There, then, is our proof."
+
+The lawyer reflected, with knitted brows.
+
+"I confess I don't quite see your point," said he.
+
+"How much were those stolen pearls worth?" asked the girl.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"You know they were not worth millions. Jack Andrews was an adventurer,
+by Le Drieux's showing; he was a fellow who lived by his wits and
+generally earned his livelihood by gambling with the scions of wealthy
+families. Even had he stolen the Countess' pearls and disposed of the
+collection at enormous prices--which a thief is usually unable to do--he
+would still have been utterly unable to purchase a controlling interest
+in the Continental stock."
+
+She spoke with quiet assurance, but her statement roused the group to
+sudden excitement.
+
+"Hooray!" cried Patsy. "There's your proof, Mr. Colby."
+
+"The logic of genius," commented Uncle John.
+
+"Why, it's proof positive!" said Beth.
+
+"It is certainly a strong argument in favor of the boy's innocence,"
+asserted Arthur Weldon.
+
+"Maud's a wonder when she wakes up. She ought to have been a 'lady
+detective,'" remarked Flo, regarding her sister admiringly.
+
+Colby, at first startled, was now also regarding Maud Stanton with open
+admiration; but there was an odd smile on his lips, a smile of indulgent
+toleration.
+
+"Le Drieux's statement connects Andrews with two other pearl robberies,"
+he reminded her. "The necklace of the Princess Lemoine is said to be
+priceless, and the Grandison collection stolen in London was scarcely
+less valuable than that of Countess Ahmberg."
+
+"Allowing all that," said Mr. Merrick, "two or three hundred thousand
+dollars would doubtless cover the value of the entire lot. I am quite
+certain, Mr. Colby, that Miss Stanton's suggestion will afford you an
+excellent line of defense."
+
+"I shall not neglect it, you may be sure," replied the lawyer. "Tonight
+I'll try to figure out, as nearly as possible, the total cash value of
+all the stolen pearls, and of course Jones will tell us what he paid
+for his stock, or how much it is worth. But I am not sure this argument
+will have as much weight as Miss Stanton suggests it may. A bold
+gambler, such as Andrews, might have obtained a huge sum at Baden Baden
+or Monte Carlo; and, were he indeed so clever a thief as his record
+indicates, he may have robbed a bank, or stolen in some way an immense
+sum of money. Logically, the question has weight and I shall present it
+as effectively as I can; but, as I said, I rely more on my ability to
+disprove the identity of the pearls, on which the expert Le Drieux lays
+so much stress. Jones will have a thorough and formal examination
+within a few days--perhaps to-morrow--and if the judge considers that
+Andrews the pearl thief has been captured, he will be held here pending
+the arrival from Washington of the extradition papers--say two or
+three weeks longer."
+
+"Then we shall have all that time to prove his innocence?" inquired Maud.
+
+"Unfortunately, no. There will be no further trial of the prisoner until
+he gets to Vienna and is delivered to the authorities there. All our work
+must be done previous to the formal examination."
+
+"You do not seem very hopeful," observed Maud, a hint of reproach
+in her tone.
+
+"Then appearances are against me, Miss Stanton," replied the lawyer with
+a smile. "This is my first important case, and if I win it my future is
+assured; so I mean to win. But in order to do that I must consider the
+charge of the prosecution, the effect of its arguments upon the judge,
+and then find the right means to combat them. When I am with you, the
+friends of the accused, I may consider the seamy side of the fabric; but
+the presiding judge will find me so sure of my position that he will
+instinctively agree with me."
+
+They brought him the pearls Jones had presented to them and then the
+lawyer bade them good night and went to his office to master the history
+of pearls in general and those famous ones stolen from Countess Ahmberg
+in particular.
+
+When he had gone Uncle John remarked:
+
+"Well, what do you think of him?"
+
+They seemed in doubt.
+
+"I think he will do all he can," said Patsy.
+
+"And he appears quite a clever young man," added Beth, as if to
+encourage them.
+
+"Allowing all that," said Maud, gravely, "he has warned us of the
+possibility of failure. I cannot understand how the coils of evidence
+have wrapped themselves so tightly around poor Ajo."
+
+"That," asserted Flo, "is because you cannot understand Ajo himself. Nor
+can I; nor can any of us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+MAUD MAKES A MEMORANDUM
+
+
+My mother used to say to me: "Never expect to find brains in a pretty
+girl." Perhaps she said it because I was not a pretty girl and she
+wished to encourage me. In any event, that absurd notion of the ancients
+that when the fairies bestow the gift of beauty on a baby they withhold
+all other qualities has so often been disproved that we may well
+disregard it.
+
+Maud Stanton was a pretty girl--indeed, a beautiful girl--but she
+possessed brains as well as beauty and used her intellect to advantage
+more often than her quiet demeanor would indicate to others than her most
+intimate associates. From the first she had been impressed by the notion
+that there was something mysterious about A. Jones and that his romantic
+explanation of his former life and present position was intended to hide
+a truth that would embarrass him, were it fully known. Therefore she had
+secretly observed the young man, at such times as they were together, and
+had treasured every careless remark he had made--every admission or
+assertion--and made a note of it. The boy's arrest had startled her
+because it was so unexpected, and her first impulse was to doubt his
+innocence. Later, however, she had thoroughly reviewed the notes she had
+made and decided he was innocent.
+
+In the quiet of her own room, when she was supposed to be asleep, Maud
+got out her notebook and read therein again the review of all she had
+learned concerning A. Jones of Sangoa.
+
+"For a boy, he has a good knowledge of business; for a foreigner, he has
+an excellent conception of modern American methods," she murmured
+thoughtfully. "He is simple in little things; shrewd, if not wise, in
+important matters. He proved this by purchasing the control of the
+Continental, for its shares pay enormous dividends.
+
+"Had he stolen those pearls, I am sure he would have been too shrewd to
+have given a portion of them to us, knowing we would display them openly
+and so attract attention to them. A thief so ingenious as Andrews, for
+instance, would never have done so foolish a thing as that, I am
+positive. Therefore, Jones is not Andrews.
+
+"Now, to account for the likeness between Andrews, an American
+adventurer, and Jones, reared and educated in the mysterious island of
+Sangoa. Ajo's father must have left some near relatives in this country
+when he became a recluse in his far-away island. Why did he become a
+recluse? That's a subject I must consider carefully, for he was a man of
+money, a man of science, a man of affairs. Jones has told us he has no
+relatives here. He may have spoken honestly, if his father kept him in
+ignorance of the family history. I'm not going to jump at the conclusion
+that the man who calls himself Jack Andrews is a near relative of our
+Ajo--a cousin, perhaps--but I'll not forget that that might explain the
+likeness between them.
+
+"Ajo's father must have amassed a great fortune, during many years, from
+his pearl fisheries. That would explain why the boy has so much money at
+his disposal. He didn't get it from the sale of stolen pearls, that is
+certain. In addition to the money he invested in the Continental, he has
+enough in reserve to expend another million or so in Patsy Doyle's motion
+picture scheme, and he says he can spare it easily and have plenty left!
+This, in my opinion, is a stronger proof of Jones' innocence than Lawyer
+Colby seems to consider it. To me, it is conclusive.
+
+"Now, then, where is Sangoa? How can one get to the island? And,
+finally, how did Jones get here from Sangoa and how is he to return, if
+he ever wants to go back to his valuable pearl fisheries, his people and
+his home?"
+
+She strove earnestly to answer these questions, but could not with her
+present knowledge. So she tucked the notebook into a drawer of her desk,
+put out her light and got into bed.
+
+But sleep would not come to her. The interest she took in the fate of
+young Jones was quite impersonal. She liked the boy in the same way she
+had liked dozens of boys. The fact that she had been of material
+assistance in saving his life aroused no especial tenderness in her. On
+his own account, however, Jones was interesting to her because he was so
+unusual. The complications that now beset him added to this interest
+because they were so curious and difficult to explain. Maud had the
+feeling that she had encountered a puzzle to tax her best talents, and so
+she wanted to solve it.
+
+Suddenly she bounded out of bed and turned on the electric light. The
+notebook was again brought into requisition and she penciled on its pages
+the following words:
+
+"What was the exact date that Jack Andrews landed in America? What
+was the exact date that Ajo landed from Sangoa? The first question
+may be easily answered, for doubtless the police have the record.
+But--the other?"
+
+Then she replaced the book, put out the light and went to sleep
+very easily.
+
+That last thought, now jotted down in black and white, had effectually
+cleared her mind of its cobwebs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A GIRLISH NOTION
+
+
+Colby came around next morning just as Mr. Merrick was entering the
+breakfast room, and the little man took the lawyer in to have a cup of
+coffee. The young attorney still maintained his jaunty air, although
+red-eyed from his night's vigil, and when he saw the Stanton girls and
+their Aunt Jane having breakfast by an open window he eagerly begged
+permission to join them, somewhat to Uncle John's amusement.
+
+"Well?" demanded Maud, reading Colby's face with her clear eyes.
+
+"I made a night of it, as I promised," said he. "This morning I know so
+much about pearls that I'm tempted to go into the business."
+
+"As Jack Andrews did?" inquired Flo.
+
+"Not exactly," he answered with a smile. "But it's an interesting
+subject--so interesting that I only abandoned my reading when I found I
+was burning my electric lamp by daylight. Listen: A pearl is nothing more
+or less than nacre, a fluid secretion of a certain variety of oyster--not
+the eatable kind. A grain of sand gets between the folds of the oyster
+and its shell and irritates the beast. In self-defense the oyster covers
+the sand with a fluid which hardens and forms a pearl."
+
+"I've always known that," said Flo, with a toss of her head.
+
+"Yes; but I want you all to bear it in mind, for it will explain a
+discovery I have made. Before I get to that, however, I want to say that
+at one time the island of Ceylon supplied the world with its most famous
+pearls. The early Egyptians discovered them there, as well as on the
+Persian and Indian coasts. The pearl which Cleopatra is said to have
+dissolved in wine and swallowed was worth about four hundred thousand
+dollars in our money; but of course pearls were scarce in her day. A
+single pearl was cut in two and used for earrings for the statue of Venus
+in the Pantheon at Rome, and the sum paid for it was equal to about a
+quarter of a million dollars. Sir Thomas Gresham, in the days of Queen
+Elizabeth, had a pearl valued at about seventy-five thousand dollars
+which he treated in the same manner Cleopatra did, dissolving it in wine
+and boasting he had given the most expensive dinner ever known."
+
+"All of which--" began Maud, impatiently.
+
+"All of which, Miss Stanton, goes to show that pearls have been of great
+price since the beginning of history. Nowadays we get just as valuable
+pearls from the South Seas, and even from Panama, St. Margarita and the
+Caromandel Coast, as ever came from Ceylon. But only those of rare size,
+shape or color are now valued at high prices. For instance, a string of
+matched pearls such as that owned by Princess Lemoine is estimated as
+worth only eighty thousand dollars, because it could be quite easily
+duplicated. The collection of Countess Ahmberg was noted for its variety
+of shapes and colors more than for its large or costly pearls; and that
+leads to my great discovery."
+
+"Thank heaven," said Flo, with a sigh.
+
+"I have discovered that our famous expert. Le Drieux, is an
+arrant humbug."
+
+"We had suspected that," remarked Maud.
+
+"Now we know it," declared Colby. "Pearls, I have learned, change their
+color, their degree of luster, even their weight, according to
+atmospheric conditions and location. A ten-penny-weight pearl in Vienna
+might weigh eight or nine pennyweights here in California, or it is more
+likely to weigh twelve. The things absorb certain moistures and chemicals
+from the air and sun, and shed those absorptions when kept in darkness or
+from the fresh air. Pearls die, so to speak; but are often restored to
+life by immersions in sea-water, their native element. As for color: the
+pink and blue pearls often grow white, at times, especially if kept long
+in darkness, but sun-baths restore their former tints. In the same way a
+white pearl, if placed near the fumes of ammonia, changes to a pinkish
+hue, while certain combinations of chemicals render them black, or
+'smoked.' A clever man could steal a pink pearl, bleach it white, and
+sell it to its former owner without its being recognized. Therefore, when
+our expert, Le Drieux, attempts to show that the pearls found in Jones'
+possession are identical with those stolen from the Austrian lady, he
+fails to allow for climatic or other changes and cannot be accurate
+enough to convince anyone who knows the versatile characteristics of
+these gems."
+
+"Ah, but does the judge know that, Mr. Colby?" asked Maud.
+
+"I shall post him. After that, the conviction of the prisoner will be
+impossible."
+
+"Do you think the examination will be held to-day?" inquired Mr. Merrick.
+
+"I cannot tell that. It will depend upon the mood of Judge Wilton. If he
+feels grouchy or disagreeable, he is liable to postpone the case. If he
+is in good spirits and wants to clear his docket he may begin the
+examination at ten o'clock, to-day, which is the hour set for it."
+
+"Is your evidence ready, Mr. Colby?"
+
+"Such as I can command, Miss Stanton," he replied. "Last evening I wired
+New York for information as to the exact amount of stock Jones owns in
+the Continental, and I got a curious reply. The stock is valued at
+nineteen hundred thousand dollars, but no one believes that Jones owns
+it personally. It is generally thought that for politic reasons the young
+man was made the holder of stock for several different parties, who still
+own it, although it is in Jones' name. The control of stock without
+ownership is not unusual. It gives the real owners an opportunity to hide
+behind their catspaw, who simply obeys their instructions."
+
+"I do not believe that Jones is connected with anyone in that manner,"
+said Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Nor do I," asserted Aunt Jane. "His interference with Goldstein's plans
+proves he is under no obligations to others, for he has acted
+arbitrarily, in accordance with his personal desires and against the
+financial interests of the concern."
+
+"Why didn't you ask him about this, instead of wiring to New York?"
+demanded Maud.
+
+"He might not give us exact information, under the circumstances,"
+said Colby.
+
+The girl frowned.
+
+"Jones is not an ordinary client," continued the lawyer, coolly. "He
+won't tell me anything about himself, or give me what is known as
+'inside information.' On the contrary, he contents himself with saying
+he is innocent and I must prove it. I'm going to save the young man, but
+I'm not looking to him for much assistance."
+
+Maud still frowned. Presently she said:
+
+"I want to see Mr. Jones. Can you arrange an interview for me, sir?"
+
+"Of course. You'd better go into town with me this morning. If the
+examination is held, you will see Jones then. If it's postponed, you may
+visit him in the jail."
+
+Maud reflected a moment.
+
+"Very well," said she, "I'll go with you." Then, turning to her aunt, she
+continued: "You must make my excuses to Mr. Goldstein, Aunt Jane."
+
+Mrs. Montrose eyed her niece critically.
+
+"Who will accompany you, Maud?" she asked.
+
+"Why, I'll go," said Patsy Doyle; and so it was settled, Uncle John
+agreeing to escort the young ladies and see them safely home again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE YACHT "ARABELLA"
+
+
+As the party drove into town Colby said:
+
+"It wouldn't be a bad idea for Jones to bribe that fellow Le Drieux. If
+Le Drieux, who holds a warrant for the arrest of Jack Andrews, issued by
+the Austrian government and vised in Washington, could be won to our
+side, the whole charge against our friend might be speedily dissolved."
+
+"Disgraceful!" snapped Maud indignantly. "I am positive Mr. Jones would
+not consider such a proposition."
+
+"Diplomatic, not disgraceful," commented the lawyer, smiling at her. "Why
+should Jones refuse to consider bribery?"
+
+"To use money to defeat justice would be a crime as despicable as
+stealing pearls," she said.
+
+"Dear me!" muttered Colby, with a puzzled frown. "What a queer way to
+look at it. Le Drieux has already been bribed, by a liberal reward, to
+run down a supposed criminal. If we bribe him with a larger sum to give
+up the pursuit of Jones, whom we believe innocent, we are merely
+defending ourselves from a possible injustice which may be brought about
+by an error of judgment."
+
+"Isn't this judge both able and honest?" asked Uncle John.
+
+"Wilton? Well, possibly. His ability consists in his knowledge of law,
+rather than of men and affairs. He believes himself honest, I suppose,
+but I'll venture to predict he will act upon prejudice and an assumption
+of personal dignity, rather than attempt to discover if his personal
+impressions correspond with justice. A judge, Mr. Merrick, is a mere
+man, with all the average man's failings; so we must expect him to be
+quite human."
+
+"Never mind," said Patsy resignedly. "Perhaps we shall find him a better
+judge than you are lawyer."
+
+"He has had more experience, anyhow," said Colby, much amused at the
+shot.
+
+They found, on arriving at court, that the case had already been
+postponed. They drove to the jail and obtained permission to see the
+prisoner, who was incarcerated under the name of "Jack Andrews, alias A.
+Jones." Maud would have liked a private audience, but the lawyer was
+present as well as Patsy and Mr. Merrick, and she did not like to ask
+them to go away.
+
+The boy greeted them with his old frank smile and did not seem in the
+least oppressed by the fact that he was a prisoner accused of an ugly
+crime. The interview was held in a parlor of the jail, a guard standing
+by the door but discreetly keeping out of earshot.
+
+Colby first informed the boy of the postponement of his formal
+examination and then submitted to his client an outline of the defense he
+had planned. Jones listened quietly and shook his head.
+
+"Is that the best you can do for me?"
+
+"With my present knowledge, yes," returned the lawyer.
+
+"And will it clear me from this suspicion?" was the next question.
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"You are not sure?"
+
+"This is an extraordinary case, Mr. Jones. Your friends all believe you
+innocent, but the judge wants facts--cold, hard facts--and only these
+will influence him. Mr. Le Drieux, commissioned by the Austrian
+government, states that you are Jack Andrews, and have escaped to America
+after having stolen the pearls of a noble Viennese lady. He will offer,
+as evidence to prove his assertion, the photograph and the pearls. You
+must refute this charge with counter-evidence, in order to escape
+extradition and a journey to the country where the crime was committed.
+There you will be granted a regular trial, to be sure, but even if you
+then secure an acquittal you will have suffered many indignities and your
+good name will be permanently tarnished."
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"I shall work unceasingly to secure your release at the examination. But
+I wish I had some stronger evidence to offer in rebuttal."
+
+"Go ahead and do your best," said the boy, nonchalantly. "I will abide
+by the result, whatever it may be."
+
+"May I ask a few questions?" Maud timidly inquired.
+
+He turned to her with an air of relief.
+
+"Most certainly you may, Miss Stanton."
+
+"And you will answer them?"
+
+"I pledge myself to do so, if I am able."
+
+"Thank you," she said. "I am not going to interfere with Mr. Colby's
+plans, but I'd like to help you on my own account, if I may."
+
+He gave her a quick look, at once grateful, suspicious and amused.
+Then he said:
+
+"Clear out, Colby. I'm sure you have a hundred things to attend to, and
+when you're gone I'll have a little talk with Miss Stanton."
+
+The lawyer hesitated.
+
+"If this conversation is likely to affect your case," he began, "then--"
+
+"Then Miss Stanton will give you any information she may acquire,"
+interrupted Jones, and that left Colby no alternative but to go away.
+
+"Now, then, Miss Stanton, out with it!" said the boy.
+
+"There are a lot of things we don't know, but ought to know, in order to
+defend you properly," she observed, looking at him earnestly.
+
+"Question me, then."
+
+"I want to know the exact date when you landed in this country
+from Sangoa."
+
+"Let me see. It was the twelfth day of October, of last year."
+
+"Oh! so long ago as that? It is fifteen months. Once you told us that you
+had been here about a year."
+
+"I didn't stop to count the months, you see. The twelfth of October
+is correct."
+
+"Where did you land?"
+
+"At San Francisco."
+
+"Direct from Sangoa?"
+
+"Direct from Sangoa."
+
+"And what brought you from Sangoa to San Francisco?"
+
+"A boat."
+
+"A sailing-ship?"
+
+"No, a large yacht. Two thousand tons burden."
+
+"Whose yacht was it?"
+
+"Mine."
+
+"Then where is it now?"
+
+He reflected a moment.
+
+"I think Captain Carg must be anchored at San Pedro, by now. Or perhaps
+he is at Long Beach, or Santa Monica," he said quietly.
+
+"On this coast!" exclaimed Maud.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Patsy was all excitement by now and could no longer hold her tongue.
+
+"Is the yacht _Arabella_ yours?" she demanded.
+
+"It is, Miss Patsy."
+
+"Then it is lying off Santa Monica Bay. I've seen it!" she cried.
+
+"It was named for my mother," said the boy, his voice softening, "and
+built by my father. In the _Arabella_ I made my first voyage; so you will
+realize I am very fond of the little craft."
+
+Maud was busily thinking.
+
+"Is Captain Carg a Sangoan?" she asked.
+
+"Of course. The entire crew are Sangoans."
+
+"Then where has the yacht been since it landed you here fifteen
+months ago?"
+
+"It returned at once to the island, and at my request has now made
+another voyage to America."
+
+"It has been here several days."
+
+"Quite likely."
+
+"Has it brought more pearls from Sangoa?"
+
+"Perhaps. I do not know, for I have not yet asked for the captain's
+report."
+
+Both Uncle John and Patsy were amazed at the rapidity with which Maud was
+acquiring information of a really important character. Indeed, she was
+herself surprised and the boy's answers were already clearing away some
+of the mists. She stared at him thoughtfully as she considered her next
+question, and Jones seemed to grow thoughtful, too.
+
+"I have no desire to worry my friends over my peculiar difficulties," he
+presently said. "Frankly, I am not in the least worried myself. The
+charge against me is so preposterous that I am sure to be released after
+the judge has examined me; and, even at the worst--if I were sent to
+Vienna for trial--the Austrians would know very well that I am not the
+man they seek."
+
+"That trip would cause you great inconvenience, however," suggested
+Mr. Merrick.
+
+"I am told a prisoner is treated very well, if he is willing to pay for
+such consideration," said Jones.
+
+"And your good name?" asked Maud, with a touch of impatience.
+
+"My good name is precious only to me, and I know it is still untarnished.
+For your sake, my newly found friends, I would like the world to believe
+in me, but there is none save you to suffer through my disgrace, and you
+may easily ignore my acquaintance."
+
+"What nonsense!" cried Patsy, scornfully. "Tell me, sir, what's to become
+of our grand motion picture enterprise, if you allow yourself to be
+shipped to Vienna as a captured thief?"
+
+He winced a trifle at the blunt epithet but quickly recovered and
+smiled at her.
+
+"I'm sorry, Miss Patsy," said he. "I know you will be disappointed if our
+enterprise is abandoned. So will I. Since this latest complication arose
+I fear I have not given our project the consideration it deserves."
+
+The boy passed his hand wearily across his forehead and, rising from his
+seat, took a few nervous steps up and down the room. Then, pausing, he
+asked abruptly:
+
+"Are you still inclined to be my champion, Miss Stanton?"
+
+"If I can be of any help," she replied, simply.
+
+"Then I wish you would visit the yacht, make the acquaintance of Captain
+Carg and tell him of the trouble I am in. Will you?"
+
+"With pleasure. That is--I'll be glad to do your errand."
+
+"I'll give you a letter to him," he continued, and turning to the
+attendant he asked for writing material, which was promptly furnished
+him. At the table he wrote a brief note and enclosed it in an envelope
+which he handed to Maud.
+
+"You will find the captain a splendid old fellow," said he.
+
+"Will he answer any questions I may ask him?" she demanded.
+
+"That will depend upon your questions," he answered evasively. "Carg is
+considered a bit taciturn, I believe, but he has my best interests at
+heart and you will find him ready to serve me in any possible way."
+
+"Is there any objection to my going with Maud?" asked Patsy. "I'd like to
+visit that yacht; it looks so beautiful from a distance."
+
+"You may all go, if you wish," said he. "It might be well for Mr. Merrick
+to meet Captain Carg, who would prefer, I am sure, to discuss so delicate
+a matter as my arrest with a man. Not that he is ungallant, but with a
+man such as Mr. Merrick he would be more at his ease. Carg is a sailor,
+rather blunt and rugged, both in speech and demeanor, but wholly devoted
+to me because I am at present _the_ Jones of Sangoa."
+
+"I'll accompany the girls, of course," said Uncle John; "and I think we
+ought not to delay in seeing your man. Colby says you may be called for
+examination at any time."
+
+"There is one more question I want to ask," announced Maud as they rose
+to go. "On what date did you reach New York, after landing at San
+Francisco?"
+
+"Why, it must have been some time in last January. I know it was soon
+after Christmas, which I passed in Chicago."
+
+"Is that as near as you can recollect the date?"
+
+"Yes, at short notice."
+
+"Then perhaps you can tell me the date you took possession of the
+Continental Film Company by entering the stockholders' meeting and
+ejecting yourself president?"
+
+He seemed surprised at her information and the question drew from him an
+odd laugh.
+
+"How did you learn about that incident?" he asked.
+
+"Goldstein told Mr. Merrick. He said it was a coup d'etat."
+
+The boy laughed again.
+
+"It was really funny," said he. "Old Bingley, the last president, had no
+inkling that I controlled the stock. He was so sure of being reelected
+that he had a camera-man on hand to make a motion picture of the scene
+where all would hail him as the chief. The picture was taken, but it
+didn't interest Bingley any, for it showed the consternation on his face,
+and the faces of his favored coterie, when I rose and calmly voted him
+out of office with the majority of the stock."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Maud. "There was a picture made of that scene, then?"
+
+"To be sure. It was never shown but once to an audience of one. I sat
+and chuckled to myself while the film was being run."
+
+"Was it kept, or destroyed?" asked the girl, breathlessly.
+
+"I ordered it preserved amongst our archives. Probably Goldstein now has
+the negative out here, stored in our Hollywood vaults."
+
+"And the date--when was it?" she demanded.
+
+"Why, the annual meeting is always the last Thursday in January. Figure
+it out--it must have been the twenty-sixth. But is the exact date
+important, Miss Stanton?"
+
+"Very," she announced. "I don't know yet the exact date that Andrews
+landed in New York on his return from Vienna, but if it happened to be
+later than the twenty-sixth of January--"
+
+"I see. In that case the picture will clear me of suspicion."
+
+"Precisely. I shall now go and wire New York for the information I
+need."
+
+"Can't you get it of Le Drieux?" asked the young man.
+
+"Perhaps so; I'll try. But it will be better to get the date from the
+steamship agent direct."
+
+With this they shook the boy's hand, assuring him of their sympathy and
+their keen desire to aid him, and then hurried away from the jail.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+MASCULINE AND FEMININE
+
+
+Uncle John and the girls, after consulting together, decided to stop at
+the Hollywood studio and pick up Flo and Mrs. Montrose.
+
+"It would be a shame to visit that lovely yacht without them," said
+Patsy; "and we were all invited, you know."
+
+"Yes, invited by a host who is unavoidably detained elsewhere," added
+Uncle John.
+
+"Still, that yacht is very exclusive," his niece stated, "and I'm sure we
+are the first Americans to step foot on its decks."
+
+They were all in a brighter mood since the interview at the jail, and
+after a hurried lunch at the hotel, during which Maud related to the
+others the morning's occurrences, they boarded the big Merrick
+seven-passenger automobile and drove to Santa Monica Bay. Louise couldn't
+leave the baby, who was cutting teeth, but Arthur and Beth joined the
+party and on arrival at the beach Uncle John had no difficulty in
+securing a launch to take them out to the _Arabella_.
+
+"They won't let you aboard, though," declared the boatman. "A good
+many have tried it, an' come back disjointed. There's something queer
+about that craft; but the gov'ment don't seem worried, so I guess it
+ain't a pirate."
+
+The beauty of the yacht grew on them as they approached it. It was
+painted a pure white in every part and on the stern was the one word:
+_Arabella_, but no name of the port from which she hailed. The ladder was
+hoisted and fastened to an upper rail, but as they drew up to the smooth
+sides a close-cropped bullet-head projected from the bulwarks and a gruff
+voice demanded:
+
+"Well, what's wanted?"
+
+"We want to see Captain Carg," called Arthur, in reply.
+
+The head wagged sidewise.
+
+"No one allowed aboard," said the man.
+
+"Here's a letter to the captain, from Mr. Jones," said Maud,
+exhibiting it.
+
+The word seemed magical. Immediately the head disappeared and an instant
+later the boarding ladder began to descend. But the man, a sub-officer
+dressed in a neat uniform of white and gold, came quickly down the steps
+and held out his hand for the letter.
+
+"Beg pardon," said he, touching his cap to the ladies, "but the rules are
+very strict aboard the _Arabella_. Will you please wait until I've taken
+this to the captain? Thank you!"
+
+Then he ran lightly up the steps and they remained seated in the launch
+until he returned.
+
+"The captain begs you to come aboard," he then said, speaking very
+respectfully but with a face that betrayed his wonder at the order of his
+superior. Then he escorted them up the side to the deck, which was
+marvelously neat and attractive. Some half a dozen sailors lounged here
+and there and these stared as wonderingly at the invasion of strangers as
+the subaltern had done. But their guide did not pause longer than to see
+that they had all reached the deck safely, when he led them into a
+spacious cabin.
+
+Here they faced Captain Carg, whom Patsy afterward declared was the
+tallest, thinnest, chilliest man she had ever encountered. His hair was
+grizzled and hung low on his neck; his chin was very long and ended in a
+point; his nose was broad, with sensitive nostrils that marked every
+breath he drew. As for his eyes, which instantly attracted attention,
+they were brown and gentle as a girl's but had that retrospective
+expression that suggests far-away thoughts or an utter lack of interest
+in one's surroundings. They never looked at but through one. The effect
+of Carg's eyes was distinctly disconcerting.
+
+The commander of the _Arabella_ bowed with much dignity as his guests
+entered and with a sweep of his long arm he muttered in distant tones:
+"Pray be seated." They obeyed. The cabin was luxuriously furnished and
+there was no lack of comfortable chairs.
+
+Somehow, despite the courteous words and attitude of Captain Carg, there
+was something about him that repelled confidence. Already Maud and Patsy
+were wondering if such a man could be loyal and true.
+
+"My young master," he was saying, as he glanced at the letter he still
+held in his hand, "tells me that any questions you may ask I may answer
+as freely as I am permitted to."
+
+"What does that mean, sir?" Maud inquired, for the speech was quite
+ambiguous.
+
+"That I await your queries, Miss," with another perfunctory bow in her
+direction.
+
+She hesitated, puzzled how to proceed.
+
+"Mr. Jones is in a little trouble," she finally began. "He has been
+mistaken for some other man and--they have put him in jail until he can
+be examined by the federal judge of this district."
+
+The captain's face exhibited no expression whatever. Even the eyes
+failed to express surprise at her startling news. He faced his visitors
+without emotion.
+
+"At the examination," Maud went on, "it will be necessary for him to
+prove he is from Sangoa."
+
+No reply. The captain sat like a statue.
+
+"He must also prove that certain pearls found in his possession came
+from Sangoa."
+
+Still no reply. Maud began to falter and fidget. Beth was amused.
+Patsy was fast growing indignant. Flo had a queer expression on her
+pretty face that denoted mischief to such an extent that it alarmed
+her Aunt Jane.
+
+"I'm afraid," said Maud, "that unless you come to your master's
+assistance, Captain Carg, he will be sent to Austria, a prisoner charged
+with a serious crime."
+
+She meant this assertion to be very impressive, but it did not seem to
+affect the man in the least. She sighed, and Flo, with a giggle, broke an
+awkward pause.
+
+"Well, why don't you get busy. Maud?" she asked.
+
+"I--in what way, Flo?" asked her sister, catching at the suggestion
+implied.
+
+"Captain Carg would make a splendid motion picture actor," declared the
+younger Miss Stanton, audaciously. "He sticks close to his cues, you see,
+and won't move till he gets one. He will answer your questions; yes, he
+has said he would; but you may prattle until doomsday without effect, so
+far as he is concerned, unless you finish your speech with an
+interrogation point."
+
+Mrs. Montrose gave a gasp of dismay, while Maud flushed painfully. The
+captain, however, allowed a gleam of admiration to soften his grim
+features as he stared fixedly at saucy Flo. Patsy marked this fleeting
+change of expression at once and said hastily:
+
+"I think. Maud, dear, the captain is waiting to be questioned."
+
+At this he cast a grateful look in Miss Doyle's direction and bowed to
+her. Maud began to appreciate the peculiar situation and marshalled her
+questions in orderly array.
+
+"Tell me, please, where _is_ Sangoa?" she began.
+
+"In the South Seas, Miss."
+
+"Will you give me the latitude and longitude?"
+
+"I cannot."
+
+"Oh, you mean that you _will_ not?"
+
+"I have been commanded to forget the latitude and longitude of Sangoa."
+
+"But this is folly!" she exclaimed, much annoyed. "Such absurd reticence
+may be fatal to Mr. Jones' interests."
+
+He made no reply to this and after reflection she tried again.
+
+"What is the nearest land to Sangoa?"
+
+"Toerdal," said he.
+
+"What is that, an island?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is it on the maps? Is it charted?"
+
+"No, Miss."
+
+She silenced Flo's aggravating giggle with a frown.
+
+"Tell me, sir," she continued, "what is the nearest land to Sangoa that
+is known to the world?"
+
+He smiled faintly as he replied: "I cannot tell."
+
+Uncle John had grown very uneasy by this time and he decided he ought to
+attempt to assist Maud. So, addressing Captain Carg, he said in a
+positive tone:
+
+"We quite understand, sir, that it has been the policy of the owners of
+Sangoa to guard all knowledge of the island's whereabouts from the
+outside world, as well as the fact that its pearl fisheries are very
+rich. We understand that an influx of treasure-seekers would embarrass
+the Sangoans. But we are close friends of young Mr. Jones and have no
+desire to usurp his island kingdom or seize his pearls. Our only anxiety
+is to free him from an unjust suspicion. A foolish man named Le Drieux
+accuses Jones of stealing a choice collection of pearls from a lady in
+Austria and fleeing with them to America. He has a photograph of the real
+criminal, taken abroad, which curiously resembles your young master."
+
+Here the captain turned a quick look upon the speaker and for the first
+time his eyes lost their dull expression. But he made no remark and Uncle
+John continued:
+
+"This man Le Drieux found several choice pearls in the possession of Mr.
+Jones, which he claims are a part of the stolen collection. Hence he
+obtained your master's arrest. Jones says he brought the pearls from
+Sangoa, his home, where they were found. No one here knows anything of
+Sangoa, so they regard his story with suspicion. Now, sir, we believe
+that through you we can prove he has told the truth, and so secure his
+release. Here is the important question: Will you help us?"
+
+"Willingly, sir," replied the captain.
+
+"Are you forbidden to tell us where Sangoa is, or anything about
+the island?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I am forbidden to do that, under any circumstances," was the
+ready answer.
+
+"Have you been to Sangoa since you landed Mr. Jones in San Francisco,
+some fifteen months ago?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And did you bring back with you, on this trip, any pearls?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Have you already disposed of them?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I am awaiting orders from my master."
+
+"Has he been aboard since you anchored here?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"What were your instructions?"
+
+"To anchor on this coast and await his coming."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Merrick, reflectively, "I believe you can prove our case
+without telling the location of Sangoa. An exhibition of the pearls you
+have brought ought to convince any reasonable judge. Are there many of
+them in this lot?"
+
+"Not so many as usual, sir."
+
+"Are they very choice ones?"
+
+"Not so choice as usual, sir."
+
+Uncle John was greatly disappointed, but Maud exclaimed eagerly:
+
+"Let us see them, please!"
+
+That was not a question, but the captain rose at once, bowed and left the
+cabin. It was some ten minutes before he returned, followed by two men
+who bore between them a heavy bronze chest which they placed upon the
+cabin floor. Then they left the room and the captain took a key from his
+pocket and unlocked a secret panel in the wainscoting of the cabin. A
+small compartment was disclosed, in which hung another key on an iron
+hook. He removed this and with it unlocked the chest, drawing-from its
+recesses several trays which he deposited upon the table. These trays
+were lined and padded with white velvet and when the covers were removed,
+the girls, who had crowded around the table, uttered cries of
+astonishment and delight.
+
+"They may not be as numerous or as choice 'as usual,'" murmured
+Mrs. Montrose, "but they are the most amazing lot of pearls I have
+ever beheld."
+
+"And did all these come from Sangoa?" Maud asked the captain.
+
+"They represent two months' fishing on the coast of our island," he
+replied; "but not the best two months of the year. The weather was bad;
+there were many storms."
+
+"Why, the pearls that Ajo gave us were insignificant when compared with
+these!" cried Beth. "This collection must be worth an enormous sum.
+Uncle John."
+
+Uncle John merely nodded. He had been thinking, as he studied the pearls,
+and now turned to Captain Carg.
+
+"Will you come ashore and testify before the judge in behalf of
+your master?"
+
+"Yes, if he asks me to do so."
+
+"And will you bring these pearls with you?"
+
+"If my master orders it."
+
+"Very good. We will have him send you instructions."
+
+The captain bowed, after which he turned to the table and began replacing
+the trays in the chest. Then he locked it, again hung the key in the
+secret aperture and closed the panel. A whistle summoned the two seamen,
+who bore away the chest, accompanied by the captain in person.
+
+When they were left alone, Maud said anxiously:
+
+"Is there anything more we can do here?"
+
+"I think not," replied Mr. Merrick.
+
+"Then let us get back. I want to complete my evidence at once, for no one
+knows when the judge will summon Ajo for examination."
+
+They thanked the captain when he rejoined them, but he remained as silent
+and undemonstrative as ever, so they took their departure without further
+ceremony and returned to the shore.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE ADVANTAGE OF A DAY
+
+
+That evening Le Drieux appeared in the lobby of the hotel and sat himself
+comfortably down, as if his sole desire in life was to read the evening
+paper and smoke his after-dinner cigar. He cast a self-satisfied and
+rather supercilious glance in the direction of the Merrick party, which
+on this occasion included the Stantons and their aunt, but he made no
+attempt to approach the corner where they were seated.
+
+Maud, however, as soon as she saw Le Drieux, asked Arthur Weldon to
+interview the man and endeavor to obtain from him the exact date when
+Jack Andrews landed in New York. Uncle John had already wired to Major
+Doyle, Patsy's father, to get the steamship lists and find which boat
+Andrews had come on and the date of its arrival, but no answer had as yet
+been received.
+
+Arthur made a pretext of buying a cigar at the counter and then
+strolled aimlessly about until he came, as if by chance, near to where
+Le Drieux was sitting. Making a pretense of suddenly observing the man,
+he remarked casually:
+
+"Ah, good evening."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Weldon," replied Le Drieux, a note of ill-suppressed
+triumph in his voice.
+
+"I suppose you are now content to rest on your laurels, pending the
+formal examination?" said Arthur.
+
+"I am, sir. But the examination is a mere form, you know. I have already
+cabled the commissioner of police at Vienna and received a reply stating
+that the Austrian ambassador would make a prompt demand for extradition
+and the papers would be forwarded from Washington to the Austrian consul
+located in this city. The consul has also been instructed to render me
+aid in transporting the prisoner to Vienna. All this will require several
+days' time, so you see we are in no hurry to conclude the examination."
+
+"I see." said Arthur. "Is it, then, your intention to accompany the
+prisoner to Vienna?"
+
+"Of course. I have not mentioned the fact to you before, but I hold a
+commission from the Chief of Police of Vienna authorizing me to arrest
+Jack Andrews wherever I may find him, and deliver him up for trial. My
+firm procured for me this commission, as they are very anxious to recover
+the lost pearls."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well, to be frank, sir, the countess still owes our firm a large sum for
+purchases. She had almost her entire fortune tied up in that collection,
+and unless it is recovered--."
+
+"I can well appreciate the anxiety of your firm. But aside from that, Mr.
+Le Drieux, I suppose a big reward has been offered?"
+
+"Not big; just a fair amount. It will repay me, quite handsomely, for my
+trouble in this affair; but, of course, my firm gets half of the reward."
+
+"They are not too generous. You deserve it all."
+
+"Thank you. It has been an interesting episode, Mr. Weldon."
+
+"It has been more than that. I consider this escapade of Andrews quite a
+romance; or is it more of a tragedy, in your opinion?"
+
+"It will be a tragedy for Andrews, before he's through with it," replied
+Le Drieux grimly. "They're pretty severe on the long-fingered gentry,
+over there in Europe, and you must remember that if the fellow lives
+through the sentence they will undoubtedly impose upon him in Vienna, he
+has still to answer for the Paris robbery and the London murder. It's all
+up with Andrews, I guess; and it's a good thing, too, for he is too
+clever to remain at large."
+
+"I do not consider him so clever as his captor," said Arthur smoothly.
+"It did not take you long to discover where he had hidden. Why, he has
+only returned to America about fifteen months ago."
+
+"Eleven months ago--even less than that, I think," retorted Le Drieux,
+with much pride. "Let me see," taking out a notebook, "Andrews landed
+from the _Princess Irene_ on the twenty-seventh of January last."
+
+"Oh, the twenty-seventh? Are you sure of that?" said Arthur.
+
+"Of course."
+
+"I was under the impression he landed on the twenty-fifth."
+
+"No; you are wrong. Why, I met the boat myself, but missed him, although
+he was on the passenger list. He disembarked very slyly, I afterward
+learned, being doubtless afraid he would be arrested. But at that time I
+had no positive evidence against him."
+
+Arthur asked a few more questions of no importance and then bade Le
+Drieux good night and rejoined the girls.
+
+"You win, Maud," he remarked as he sat down. "That clew of yours was an
+inspiration. Andrews arrived in America on January twenty-seventh, just
+one day after Jones had a motion picture of himself taken at the
+stockholders' meeting of the Continental Film Company."
+
+"Then we needn't worry over Ajo any longer!" asserted Patsy joyfully.
+"With this evidence and the testimony of Captain Carg and his pearls, the
+most stupid judge on earth would declare the boy innocent. Why, Beth, we
+shall get our theatres built, after all!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+PICTURE NUMBER NINETEEN
+
+
+"Well, where have you been?" demanded Goldstein gruffly, as Maud Stanton
+entered his office the next morning in response to a summons from the
+Continental manager. "What made you run away yesterday? Don't you know
+such things make us lots of trouble and cost us money?"
+
+"I'm not worrying about that," replied Maud, as she composedly sat down
+opposite the manager.
+
+Goldstein glared at her, but he was cautious.
+
+"You're a fine actress, Miss Stanton, and you're popular on the films,"
+he said, "but if you cannot attend to business we are paying you too
+much money."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"No other firm could afford to give you so much, you know that; and the
+only reason we are so extravagant is because you are one of our
+features."
+
+"Am I to take this as a dismissal?" she asked carelessly.
+
+"Dismissal!" he cried, holding up his hands. "Of course not. Who is
+talking of dismissal? But I owe a duty to my firm. Such actions as yours,
+in running away from rehearsals, must have a--a--reprimand. Not severe; I
+am not so angry as grieved; but a reprimand is your due--and that
+fly-away sister of yours is just as bad."
+
+"We went to assist your president--Mr. Jones--to establish his innocence
+of the awful charge made against him," she explained.
+
+"Bah. You can't do that. No one can save him," he replied, with triumph
+and satisfaction mingled in his tone.
+
+She looked at him thoughtfully.
+
+"You seem pleased with the idea that he is guilty, Mr. Goldstein."
+
+"I am glad he is caught. What is Jones to me? An interloper! A boy who
+gets money, buys stock, and then interferes with a business he knows
+nothing about. You are a professional, Miss Stanton. You know how we, who
+are in the game, have won our knowledge of it by long experience, by
+careful study, by keeping the thousand threads of the rope of success
+twisted tightly together. Any fool could buy this business, but only an
+expert could run it successfully. You know that. So I am glad this
+interfering boy is wiped off the slate forever."
+
+"But he isn't!" she protested. "You still have this boy to reckon with,
+Goldstein. When he is examined by the judge he will be set free, for all
+the evidence is in his favor and there is ample proof that he is not the
+man they are after. And that reminds me. There is a negative here that
+was made at the directors' meeting in January, a year ago, which shows
+Mr. Jones taking control of the Continental."
+
+"I have never seen it," he said, shaking his head.
+
+"It is here, though, and I want a positive printed at once, and mounted
+on a reel, so it can be exhibited before the judge. Have Alfred get it
+out of the vault."
+
+"Why should I do that?" he inquired, frowning.
+
+"Because, if you refuse, Mr. Jones is quite likely to find another
+manager. No other firm would pay you so much as you are getting here. You
+know that."
+
+He grinned with delight at the thrust, then grew solemn.
+
+"You are sure he will go free?"
+
+"Positive," returned Maud. "He doesn't really need that film, but it
+would be good policy--excellent policy--for you to produce it."
+
+"Alfred!" called the manager. "Bring me the stock book."
+
+He ran his finger down the pages.
+
+"January--eh--eh--"
+
+"January twenty-sixth," she said.
+
+"Here it is: 'Special of Annual Meeting, C.F.M. Co.--280 feet.--No. 19,'
+Get number nineteen out of the vault, Alfred."
+
+While the young man was gone he relapsed into thought. Maud waited
+patiently.
+
+"You see," resumed the manager abruptly, "I am making more money for the
+Continental than I get paid for. That is because I know how. It is not
+good business to cut down the profits; therefore I should be paid a
+bigger salary. Miss Stanton, you're a friend of young Jones, who controls
+this company. Yon might talk to him about me."
+
+"I will," she said.
+
+"You might say I know every trick of the trade. Tell Jones how all the
+other film makers are crazy to get me. But say how I refuse more money
+because I believe our directors will wake up to my value and raise my
+salary. That sounds pretty good, eh?"
+
+"It sounds remarkable."
+
+"And it's no dream. Ah, here comes Alfred."
+
+The clerk laid upon the table a round box coated with paraffin to exclude
+the air. A tag was attached to the box, describing its contents.
+
+"Number nineteen. Quite right. Take it to the printing room and tell
+McDonald to make me a copy as quickly as possible. Tell him to let me
+know when it's dry and ready to run."
+
+As the clerk disappeared Maud said:
+
+"I needn't wait, I suppose?"
+
+"No. Werner wants you at the rehearsal of 'The Love of a Princess.'
+Before you go home to-night I'll call you in to see the run of number
+nineteen. Then you may take the film to Jones--with my compliments."
+
+At five o'clock, when she was dressing to go home, Maud was summoned to
+the little "dark room" where all films are exhibited, trimmed and tested
+before being sent out. She took Aunt Jane and Flo with her and they found
+Goldstein already waiting and the operator standing by his machine.
+
+The scene was short and not very exciting, although of interest in the
+present crisis. It showed the interior of the hall where the
+stock-holders' meeting was held, and began with the assembling of the
+members. Two or three pompous individuals then seated themselves facing
+the others, and the proceedings began. A slim boy on a back bench arose
+and said something. Panic was at once written on the faces of the former
+officers. They gesticulated; their lips moved rapidly. The boy, easily
+recognized as A. Jones, advanced and displayed a lot of papers, which
+were carefully examined. He then took the president's chair, the former
+officers fled in disgust and the throng of stockholders wildly applauded.
+Then the light went out, the machine stopped, and Goldstein opened the
+door to let in light and air.
+
+"It was the same kid, all right," he remarked. "I had never seen this
+film run before, but it shows how Jones called the turn on the old
+officers in great shape. I wonder where he got all the money?"
+
+Maud secured his promise to send an operator to town, to exhibit the film
+before the judge, whenever he might be required. Then she went to her
+hotel fully satisfied that she had done all in her power to assist A.
+Jones of Sangoa.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+JUDGMENT
+
+
+A telegram from Major Doyle corroborated Le Drieux's assertion that Jack
+Andrews had arrived at the port of New York via the _Princess Irene_ on
+January twenty-seventh. A report from Lawyer Colby stated that he was now
+so thoroughly posted on everything pertaining to pearls that he could
+easily confound the expert, Mr. Isidore Le Drieux. There the matter
+rested for three days, during which the Stanton girls continued their
+work at the studio and Uncle John's nieces busied themselves enjoying the
+charms of the ideal Hollywood climate. Then came the news that the judge
+would call Jones for examination at nine o'clock on Friday morning, the
+thirteenth.
+
+"Friday, the thirteenth!" said Patsy with a grimace. "I hope Ajo isn't
+superstitious."
+
+"That combination proves lucky for some people," replied Arthur,
+laughing. "Let us hope that Jones is one of them."
+
+"Of course we shall all go to see what happens," said Beth, and to this
+there was no dissenting voice.
+
+Maud obtained a letter from Jones to Captain Carg, asking him to be on
+hand, and this she dispatched by a safe messenger to the yacht
+_Arabella_. She also told Goldstein to have his operator in attendance
+with the film. Finally, a conference was called that evening with Mr.
+Colby, at which the complete program of defense was carefully rehearsed.
+
+"Really," said the lawyer, "there's nothing to this case. It's a regular
+walkaway, believe me! I'm almost ashamed to take Mr. Jones' money for
+conducting a case that Miss Stanton has all cut and dried for me. I'll
+not receive one half the credit I should had the thing been complicated,
+or difficult. However, I've learned so much about pearls that I'm almost
+tempted to go into the jewelry business."
+
+Friday morning was bright and cool--one of those perfect days for which
+Southern California is famous. Judge Wilton appeared in court with a
+tranquil expression upon his face that proved he was in a contented mood.
+All conditions augured well for the prisoner.
+
+The prosecution was represented by two well known attorneys who had
+brought a dozen witnesses to support their charge, among them being the
+Austrian consul. The case opened with the statement that the prisoner,
+Jackson Dowd Andrews, alias A. Jones, while a guest at the villa of the
+Countess Ahmberg, near Vienna, had stolen from his hostess a valuable
+collection of pearls, which he had secretly brought to America. Some of
+the stolen booty the prisoner had disposed of, it was asserted; a part
+had been found in his possession at the time of his arrest; some of the
+pearls had been mounted by Brock & Co., the Los Angeles jewelers, at his
+request, and by him presented to several acquaintances he had recently
+made but who were innocent of any knowledge of his past history or his
+misdeeds. Therefore the prosecution demanded that the prisoner be kept in
+custody until the arrival of extradition papers, which were already on
+the way, and that on the arrival of these papers Andrews should be
+turned over to Le Drieux, a representative of the Vienna police, and by
+him taken to Austria, the scene of his crime, for trial and punishment.
+
+The judge followed the charge of the prosecution rather indifferently,
+being already familiar with it. Then he asked if there was any defense.
+
+Colby took the floor. He denied that the prisoner was Jackson Dowd
+Andrews, or that he had ever been in Vienna. It was a case of mistaken
+identity. His client's liberty had been outraged by the stupid blunders
+of the prosecution. He demanded the immediate release of the prisoner.
+
+"Have you evidence to support this plea?" inquired Judge Wilton.
+
+"We have, your honor. But the prosecution must first prove its charge."
+
+The prosecution promptly responded to the challenge. The photograph of
+Andrews, taken abroad, was shown. Two recognized experts in physiognomy
+declared, after comparison, that it was undoubtedly the photograph of the
+prisoner. Then Le Drieux took the stand. He read a newspaper account of
+the robbery. He produced a list of the pearls, attested by the countess
+herself. Each individual pearl was described and its color, weight and
+value given. Then Le Drieux exhibited the pearls taken from Jones and,
+except for the small ones in the brooch which had been presented to Mrs.
+Montrose, he checked off every pearl against his list, weighing them
+before the judge and describing their color.
+
+During this, Judge Wilton continually nodded approval. Such evidence was
+concise and indisputable, it seemed. Moreover, the defense readily
+admitted that the pearls exhibited had all been in Jones' possession.
+
+Then Colby got up to refute the evidence.
+
+"Mr. Jones," he began, "has--"
+
+"Give the prisoner's full name," said the judge.
+
+"His full name is A. Jones."
+
+"What does the 'A' stand for?"
+
+"It is only an initial, your honor. Mr. Jones has no other name."
+
+"Puh! He ought to have taken some other name. Names are cheap," sneered
+the judge.
+
+Colby ignored the point.
+
+"Mr. Jones is a resident of Sangoa, where he was born. Until he landed at
+San Francisco, fifteen months ago, he had never set foot on any land but
+that of his native island."
+
+"Where is Sangoa?" demanded the judge.
+
+"It is an island of the South Seas."
+
+"What nationality?"
+
+"It is independent. It was purchased from Uruguay by Mr. Jones' father
+many years ago, and now belongs exclusively to his son."
+
+"Your information is indefinite," snapped the judge.
+
+"I realize that, your honor; but my client deems it wise to keep the
+location of his island a secret, because he has valuable pearl
+fisheries on its shores. The pearls exhibited by the prosecution were
+all found at Sangoa."
+
+"How do you account, then, for their checking so accurately against the
+list of stolen pearls?"
+
+"I can make almost any pearls check with that list, which represents a
+huge collection of almost every size, weight and color," replied Colby.
+"To prove this, I will introduce in evidence Captain Carg of Sangoa, who
+recently arrived at Santa Monica Bay with the last proceeds of the pearl
+fisheries of the island."
+
+Captain Carg was on hand, with his two sailors guarding the chest. He now
+produced the trays of pearls and spread them on the desk before the
+amazed eyes of the judge. Le Drieux was astounded, and showed it plainly
+on his face.
+
+Colby now borrowed the list, and picking up a pearl from the tray weighed
+it on Le Drieux's scales and then found a parallel to it on the list.
+This he did with several of the pearls, chosen at random, until one of Le
+Drieux's attorneys took the expert aside and whispered to him. Then Le
+Drieux's expression changed from chagrin to joy and coming forward he
+exclaimed:
+
+"Your honor, this is the collection--the balance of it--which was stolen
+from the Countess Ahmberg!"
+
+The judge looked at him a moment, leaned back in his chair and nodded his
+head impressively.
+
+"What nonsense!" protested Colby. "These trays contain twice the number
+of pearls included in that entire list, as your honor may plainly see."
+
+"Of course," retorted Le Drieux eagerly; "here are also the pearls from
+the necklace of Princess Lemoine, and the London collection of Lady
+Grandison. Your honor, in his audacity the defense has furnished us proof
+positive that this prisoner can be none other than the adventurer and
+clever thief, Jack Andrews."
+
+It was in vain that Colby declared these pearls had just come from
+Sangoa, where they were found. The judge cut him short and asked if he
+had any other evidence to advance.
+
+"These pearls," he added, indicating the trays, "I shall take possession
+of. They must remain in my custody until their owners claim them, or
+Captain Carg can prove they are the lawful property of the prisoner."
+
+Consternation now pervaded the ranks of the defense. The girls were
+absolutely dismayed, while Uncle John and Arthur Weldon wore bewildered
+looks. Only Jones remained composed, an amused smile curling the corners
+of his delicate mouth as he eyed the judge who was to decide his fate.
+
+On the side of the prosecution were looks of triumph. Le Drieux already
+regarded his case as won.
+
+Colby now played his trump card, which Maud Stanton's logic and energy
+had supplied the defense.
+
+"The prosecution," said he, "has stated that the alleged robbery was
+committed at Vienna on the evening of September fifteenth, and that
+Jack Andrews arrived in America on the steamship _Princess Irene_ on
+the afternoon of the January twenty-seventh following. Am I correct in
+those dates?"
+
+The judge consulted his stenographer.
+
+"The dates mentioned are correct," he said pompously.
+
+"Here are the papers issued by the Commander of the Port of San
+Francisco, proving that the yacht _Arabella_ of Sangoa anchored in that
+harbor on October twelfth, and disembarked one passenger, namely: A.
+Jones of Sangoa."
+
+"That might, or might not, have been the prisoner," declared the
+prosecuting attorney.
+
+"True," said the judge. "The name 'A. Jones' is neither distinguished nor
+distinguishing."
+
+"On the evening of January twenty-sixth, twenty-four hours before Jack
+Andrews landed in America," continued Colby, "the prisoner, Mr. A. Jones,
+appeared at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Continental
+Film Manufacturing Company, in New York, and was formally elected
+president of that organization."
+
+"What is your proof?" inquired the judge, stifling a yawn.
+
+"I beg to submit the minutes of the meeting, attested by its secretary."
+
+The judge glanced at the minutes.
+
+"We object to this evidence," said the opposing attorney. "There is no
+proof that the A. Jones referred to is the prisoner."
+
+"The minutes," said Colby, "state that a motion picture was taken of the
+meeting. I have the film here, in this room, and beg permission to
+exhibit it before your honor as evidence."
+
+The judge was a bit startled at so novel a suggestion but assented with
+a nod. In a twinkling the operator had suspended a roller-screen from the
+chandelier dependent from the ceiling, pulled down the window shades and
+attached his projecting machine to an electric-light socket.
+
+Then the picture flashed upon the screen. It was not entirely distinct,
+because the room could not be fully darkened and the current was not
+strong, yet every face in the gathering of stockholders could be plainly
+recognized. Jones, especially, as the central figure, could not be
+mistaken and no one who looked upon the picture could doubt his identity.
+
+When the exhibition was concluded and the room again lightened, Le
+Drieux's face was visibly perturbed and anxious, while his attorneys sat
+glum and disconcerted.
+
+Colby now put Goldstein on the stand, who testified that he recognized
+Jones as president of his company and the owner of the majority of
+stock. The young man had come to him with unimpeachable credentials to
+that effect.
+
+The girls were now smiling and cheerful. To them the defense was
+absolutely convincing. But Le Drieux's attorneys were skillful fighters
+and did not relish defeat. They advanced the theory that the motion
+picture, just shown, had been made at a later dale and substituted for
+the one mentioned in the minutes of the meeting. They questioned
+Goldstein, who admitted that he had never seen Jones until a few days
+previous. The manager denied, however, any substitution of the picture.
+He was not a very satisfactory witness for the defense and Colby was
+sorry he had summoned him.
+
+As for the judge, he seemed to accept the idea of the substitution with
+alacrity. He had practically decided against Jones in the matter of the
+pearls. Now he listened carefully to the arguments of the prosecution and
+cut Colby short when he raised objections to their sophistry.
+
+Finally Judge Wilton rose to state his decision.
+
+"The evidence submitted in proof of the alleged fact that the prisoner is
+Jack Andrews, and that Jack Andrews may have robbed the Countess Ahmberg,
+of Vienna, of her valuable collection of pearls, is in the judgment of
+this court clear and convincing," he said. "The lawyer for the defense
+has further succeeded in entangling his client by exhibiting an
+additional assortment of pearls, which may likewise be stolen property.
+The attempt to impose upon this court a mythical island called Sangoa
+is--eh--distinctly reprehensible. This court is not so easily hoodwinked.
+Therefore, in consideration of the evidence advanced, I declare that the
+prisoner is Jack Andrews, otherwise Jackson Dowd Andrews, otherwise
+parading under the alias of 'A. Jones,' and I recognize the claim of the
+Austrian police to his person, that he may be legally tried for his
+alleged crimes in the territory where it is alleged he committed them.
+Therefore I order that the prisoner be held for requisition and turned
+over to the proper authorities when the papers arrive. The court is
+adjourned."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN
+
+
+Of course not one of our friends agreed with the judge. Indignation and
+resentment were written on every face--except that of Goldstein. The
+manager rubbed his hands softly together and, approaching Maud, he
+whispered:
+
+"You needn't speak to Jones about me. It's all right. I guess he won't be
+interfering with me any more, eh? And come _early_ to-morrow morning.
+We've got a lot of rehearsing to do. To-day I will call a holiday for
+you. And, believe me, Miss Stanton, this is nothing to worry any of us.
+The judge settles it, right or wrong, for the law defies us all."
+
+As the manager hurried away Uncle John looked after him and said:
+
+"I wonder if he realizes how true his words are? 'The law defies us all.'
+How helpless we are to oppose injustice and oppression when one man,
+with a man's limitations and prejudices, is clothed with authority to
+condemn us!"
+
+Colby stood silent. The poor fellow's eyes were full of unshed tears.
+
+"This is my first case, and my last," said he. "I won it honestly. It was
+the judge, not the evidence, that defeated me. I'm going to rent my
+office and apply for a job as a chauffeur."
+
+Jones was the least affected of the group. "Never mind, friends," he said
+to them, "it will all come right in the end. If you will stand by me,
+Colby, I'll retain you to plead my case in the Austrian court, or at
+least advise my Austrian lawyers. I've an idea they will treat me fairly,
+over there in Vienna."
+
+"It's outrageous!" quoth indignant Patsy Doyle. "I'd like to give that
+judge a piece of my mind."
+
+"If you did," replied Arthur, "he'd fine you for contempt."
+
+"It would be a just line, in that case," said Patsy; "so I'm sure he
+wouldn't do it."
+
+The jailer had come to take the prisoner back to his cell. He smiled
+whimsically at Miss Doyle's speech and remarked:
+
+"There's always one side to kick, Miss, whichever way the judge decides.
+It was only Solomon who could satisfy everybody."
+
+"Clear the room!" shouted the bailiff.
+
+Captain Carg's men took the empty chest back to the launch. The captain
+followed them, after pressing the hand of his young master, who said:
+"Wait for orders, Captain." Uncle John took his flock back to the hotel,
+where they gathered in his room and held an indignation meeting. Here it
+was safe to give full vent to their chagrin and disappointment.
+
+"Every bit of honest evidence was on our side," declared Maud. "I shall
+never be able to understand why we lost."
+
+"Bribery and corruption," said Flo. "I'll bet a cookie Le Drieux divided
+the reward with the judge."
+
+"I suppose it's all up with Ajo now," sighed Beth, regretfully.
+
+"Yes," replied Colby, who had accompanied them; "there is nothing more to
+be done for him at present. From the judge's order there is no appeal,
+in such a case. Mr. Jones must go to Vienna for trial; but there he may
+secure an acquittal."
+
+"He is very brave, I think," said Patsy. "This affair must have hurt his
+pride, but he smiles through it all. In his condition of health, the
+confinement and humiliation may well shorten his life, yet he has made
+no murmur."
+
+"He's good stuff, that boy," commented Uncle John. "Perhaps it is due to
+that John Paul blood his father was so proud of."
+
+When Arthur went into the lobby a little later he found Le Drieux seated
+comfortably and smoking a long cigar. The pearl expert nodded to the
+young ranchman with so much evident satisfaction that Arthur could not
+resist engaging him in conversation.
+
+"Well, you won," he remarked, taking a vacant chair beside Le Drieux.
+
+"Yes, of course," was the reply; "but I'll admit that fellow Andrews is a
+smooth one. Why, at one time he had even me puzzled with his alibis and
+his evidence. That flash of the pearls was the cleverest trick I ever
+heard of; but it didn't go, I'd warned the judge to look out for a scoop.
+He knew he was dealing with one of the most slippery rogues in
+captivity."
+
+"See here, Le Drieux," said Arthur; "let us be honest with one another,
+now that the thing is settled and diplomacy is uncalled for. Do you
+really believe that Jones is Jack Andrews?"
+
+"Me? I know it, Mr. Weldon. I don't pose as a detective, but I'm
+considered to have a shrewd insight into human character, and from the
+first moment I set eyes on him I was positive that Jones was the famous
+Jack Andrews. I can understand how you people, generous and trusting,
+have been deceived in the fellow; I admire the grit you've all shown in
+standing by him to the last. I haven't a particle of malice toward any
+one of you, I assure you--not even toward Andrews himself."
+
+"Then why have you bounded him so persistently?"
+
+"For two reasons." said Le Drieux. "As a noted pearl expert, I wanted
+to prove my ability to run down the thief; and, as a man in modest
+circumstances, I wanted the reward."
+
+"How much will you get?"
+
+"All together, the rewards aggregate twenty thousand dollars. I'll get
+half, and my firm will get half."
+
+"I think," said Arthur, to test the man, "that Jones would have paid you
+double that amount to let him alone."
+
+Le Drieux shook his head; then he smiled.
+
+"I don't mind telling you, Mr. Weldon--in strict confidence, of
+course--that I approached Jones on that very subject, the day he was
+placed in jail. He must have been sure his tricks would clear him, for he
+refused to give me a single penny. I imagine he is very sorry, right now;
+don't you, sir?"
+
+"No," said Arthur, "I don't. I still believe in his innocence."
+
+Le Drieux stared at him incredulously.
+
+"What, after that examination of to-day?" he demanded.
+
+"Before and after. There was no justice in the decision of Judge Wilton;
+he was unduly prejudiced."
+
+"Be careful, sir!"
+
+"We are talking confidentially."
+
+"To be sure. But you astonish me. I understand the character of Andrews
+so thoroughly that I fail to comprehend how any sensible person can
+believe in him. Talk about prejudice!"
+
+"I suppose you are to remain at this hotel?" said Arthur, evading
+further argument.
+
+"Yes, until the papers arrive. They ought to be here by Monday. Then
+I shall take Andrews to New York and we will board the first steamer
+for Europe."
+
+Arthur left him. Le Drieux puzzled him more than he puzzled Le Drieux.
+The expert seemed sincere in the belief that he had trapped, in Jones, a
+noted criminal. Weldon could not help wondering, as he walked away, if
+possibly he and his friends had been deceived in A. Jones of Sangoa. The
+doubt was but momentary, yet it had forced itself into his mind.
+
+On Saturday afternoon they all made a visit to the prisoner and tried to
+cheer him. Again on Sunday they called--the Stantons and Merricks and
+Weldons and all. Young Jones received them with composure and begged them
+not to worry on his account.
+
+"I am quite comfortable in this jail, I assure you," said he. "On my
+journey to Vienna I shall be able to bribe Le Drieux to let me have such
+comforts as I desire. There is but one experience I shrink from: the
+passage across the Atlantic. If it brings a return of my former malady I
+shall suffer terribly."
+
+"It may not be so bad as you fear," Patsy assured him, although in her
+heart she realized it might be the death of the boy. "Often those who are
+distressed by a voyage on the Pacific endure the Atlantic very well."
+
+"That is encouraging," said he. "It is my dread of the water that has
+prevented me from returning to Sangoa, or even visiting my yacht. And
+this reminds me of a favor I wish to ask."
+
+"You may rely upon our friendship," said Maud.
+
+"I believe that. Here is a letter to Captain Carg, putting the _Arabella_
+at your disposal until my return from Vienna. I have named Mr. Merrick
+as the commander of the yacht, in my absence, and if you feel inclined to
+make the trip and can spare the time I would like you all to make a
+voyage to Sangoa."
+
+"To Sangoa!" they cried in chorus.
+
+"Yes. I am ambitious to prove to you, who have been my staunch friends,
+that the island is indeed there. Incidentally you will become acquainted
+with the prettiest place in all the world. My house will be at your
+disposal while you remain and I am sure you will find it fairly
+comfortable."
+
+They were so amazed at this proposition that at first no one found
+words to answer the boy. It was Flo, naturally, who first collected
+her thoughts.
+
+"It will be awfully jolly!" she cried, clapping her hands with delight.
+"I'm sure Maud and I need a vacation. Let's stick up our noses at
+Goldstein and sail away to the mysterious isle. What do you say, girls?
+And you, Mr. Merrick?"
+
+"I believe, my boy," said Uncle John, laying a kindly hand on the youth's
+shoulder, "that all of us are inclined to take advantage of your offer.
+That is, if you are sure we can be of no further use to you in your
+difficulties."
+
+"I am taking Colby abroad with me and he can do all that may be done
+until after my trial. Then I hope to rejoin you here and am looking
+forward to a jolly reunion."
+
+Uncle John took the letters which Ajo had written to Captain Carg, to his
+superintendent in Sangoa and to his housekeeper. Then they all pressed
+the boy's hand and went away.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Monday morning the extradition papers arrived. Le Drieux exhibited them
+proudly to young Weldon, to Mr. Merrick, and even to the girls, who
+regarded the documents with shuddering awe.
+
+"We'll take the night train," said the man. "That will get us to New York
+on Friday, in time to catch the Saturday steamer for Calais."
+
+As he spoke a boy approached and handed Le Drieux a telegram.
+
+"Excuse me," said he, and opened it with an important flourish. The next
+moment his face fell. He staggered and sank half fainting into a chair
+which Mr. Merrick pushed toward him.
+
+Patsy ran for some water. Maud Stanton fanned the man with a folded
+newspaper. Arthur Weldon picked up the telegram which had _fluttered_
+from Le Drieux's grasp and deliberately read it. Then he, too, sank
+gasping into a chair.
+
+"Listen, girls!" he cried, his voice shrill with emotion. "What do you
+think of this?
+
+"'Jack Andrews arrested here in New York to-day by Burns detectives.
+Countess Ahmberg's collection of pearls was found in his possession,
+intact. Return here first train.'
+
+"Signed: 'Eckstrom & Co.'"
+
+There was a moment of tense silence.
+
+Flo clapped her hands.
+
+"Come on," she shouted in glee, "let's go and tell Ajo!"
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES OUT WEST ***
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