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Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

" 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.

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