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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West "

Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

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.

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