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Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

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.

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