Aunt Jane's Nieces out West

  CHAPTER XVI

  TROUBLE

  Uncle John and Arthur decided not to mention to the girls this astoundingcharge of Isidore Le Drieux, fearing the news would make them nervous anddisturb their rest, so when the men joined the merry party in the alcovethey did not refer to their late interview.

  Afterward, however, when all but Arthur Weldon had gone to bed and he wassitting in Uncle John's room, the two discussed the matter together withmuch seriousness.

  "We ought to do something, sir," said Arthur. "This Jones is a mereboy, and in poor health at that. He has no friends, so far as weknow, other than ourselves. Therefore it is our duty to see himthrough this trouble."

  Mr. Merrick nodded assent.

  "We cannot prevent the arrest," he replied, "for Le Drieux will notlisten 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 hisinnocence."

  Arthur paced the floor in a way that indicated he was disturbed bythis verdict.

  "He ought to have no difficulty in proving he is not Jack Andrews," heremarked, reflectively; "and yet--those pearls are difficult to explain.Their similarity to the ones stolen in Europe fooled the expert, LeDrieux, and they are likely to fool a judge or jury. I hope Jones hassome means of proving that he brought the pearls from Sangoa. That wouldsettle the matter at once."

  "As soon as he is arrested we will get him a lawyer--the best in thiscountry," said Mr. Merrick. "More than that we cannot do, but a goodlawyer will know the proper method of freeing his client."

  The next morning they were up early, awaiting developments; but Le Drieuxseemed in no hurry to move. He had breakfast at about nine o'clock, readhis newspaper for a half hour or so, and then deliberately left thehotel. All of Mr. Merrick's party had breakfasted before this and soonafter Le Drieux had gone away young Jones appeared in the lobby. He wasjust 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, lookingafter them.

  "They are," answered Patsy, standing beside him at the window; "but Maudsays this happens to be one of their days of leisure. No picture is to betaken 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'tenjoy it so much."

  "Yes," said he, "it's a fascinating profession. I understand, and nothingcan be called _work_ that is interesting. When we are obliged to dosomething that we do not like to do, it becomes 'work.' Otherwise, whatis usually called 'work' is mere play, for it furnishes its quota ofamusement."

  He was quite unconscious of any impending misfortune and when Beth andLouise joined Patsy in thanking him for his pretty gifts of the pearls heflushed with pleasure. Evidently their expressions of delight were verygrateful to his ears.

  Said Uncle John, in a casual way: "Those are remarkably fine pearls, tohave come from such an island as Sangoa."

  "But we find much better ones there, I assure you," replied the boy. "Ihave many in my room of much greater value, but did not dare ask you toaccept them as gifts."

  "Do many pearls come from Sangoa, then?" asked Arthur.

  "That is our one industry," answered the young man. "Many years ago myfather discovered the pearl fisheries. It was after he had purchased theisland, but he recognized the value of the pearls and brought a colony ofpeople from America to settle at Sangoa and devote their time to pearlfishing. Once or twice every year we send a ship to market with aconsignment of pearls to our agent, and--to be quite frank with you--thatis 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 solittle known, or rather, so quite unknown?"

  "My father," Jones returned, "loved quiet and seclusion. He was willingto develop the pearl fisheries, but objected to the flock of adventurerssure to descend upon his island if its wealth of pearls became generallyknown. His colony he selected with great care and with few exceptionsthey are a sturdy, wholesome lot, enjoying the peaceful life of Sangoaand thoroughly satisfied with their condition there. It is only withinthe last two years that our American agents knew where our pearls camefrom, yet they could not locate the island if they tried. I do not feelthe same desire my father did to keep the secret, although I woulddislike to see Sangoa overrun with tourists or traders."

  He spoke so quietly and at the same time so convincingly that bothArthur and Uncle John accepted his explanation unquestioningly.Nevertheless, in the embarrassing dilemma in which Jones would presentlybe involved, the story would be sure to bear the stamp of unreality toany 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 eagerinterest. Arthur sat at a near-by desk writing a letter; Uncle Johnglanced over the morning paper; Inez, the Mexican nurse, brought baby toLouise 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 athin-faced, sharp-eyed man in plain clothes. They walked directly towardthe group that was seated by the open alcove window, and Arthur Weldon,observing them and knowing what was about to happen, rose from thewriting-desk and drew himself tensely together as he followed them. UncleJohn lowered his paper, frowned at Le Drieux and then turned his eyesupon the face of young Jones.

  It was the thin-featured man who advanced and lightly touched theboy'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. Myname 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 thisis _not_ a case of mistaken identity. We have ample proof that JackAndrews 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 bedistinctly 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 willcome with me quietly and so avoid a scene."

  The boy grew pale and then red. His eyes narrowed as he stared fixedly atthe officer. But he did not change his position, nor did he betrayeither 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 theCountess 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, knowsintimately all those in the collection of the countess and has recognizedseveral which you have recently presented to your friends, as among thoseyou 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 finefor resisting an officer. I suppose you have a legal warrant. May I bepermitted to see it?"

  The officer produced the warrant. Jones pe
rused it slowly and then handedit 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'sinstrument and it is useless to argue with him. But I will go with you tothe police station and furnish bail."

  Le Drieux shook his head.

  "Quite impossible, Mr. Merrick," he said. "This is not a bailableoffense."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I am positive. This is an extradition case, of internationalimportance. Andrews, after an examination, will be taken to New York andfrom 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 insuch an assertion. If I know anything of the purpose of the law, and Ithink I do, you must first prove this man's guilt before you carry him toAustria 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 settlesit. This man is already under arrest. The judge who issued the warrantbelieves that Jones is Jack Andrews and that Jack Andrews stole thepearls from the Countess Ahmberg. Of course, the prisoner will have aformal examination, when he may defend himself as best he can, but wehaven't made this move without being sure of our case, and it will berather difficult for him to escape the penalty of his crimes, cleveras 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 thecleverest may be trapped, in time, and your big mistake was in disposingof those pearls so openly. See here," he added, taking from his pocket asmall packet. "Here are the famous Taprobane pearls--six of them--whichwere found in your room a half hour ago. They, also, were a part of thecountess' 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 ata 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 youwish to assist me, please send me a lawyer and then go to the Continentaland 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 remarkedin a tone of regret rather then humiliation. "I do not see how any effortof mine could have avoided it. It seems to be one of the privileges ofthe people's guardians, in your free country, to arrest and imprisonanyone on a mere suspicion of crime. Here is a case in which someone hassadly blundered, and I imagine it is the pompous gentleman who claims toknow pearls and does not," with a nod toward Le Drieux, who scowledindignantly.

  "It is an outrage!" cried Beth.

  "It's worse than that," said Patsy; "but of course you can easily proveyour innocence."

  "If I have the chance," the boy agreed. "But at present I am a prisonerand 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 interestsin every possible way.

  "Go with him now, Arthur," proposed Louise. "It's a hard thing to betaken 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 apreliminary hearing before locking him up, and if you'll stick to himI'll send on a lawyer in double-quick time."

  "Thank you," said the boy. "The lawyer first, Mr. Merrick, and thenGoldstein."