Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

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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.

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