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Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

" said Le Drieux. "As a noted pearl expert, I wanted

to prove my ability to run down the thief; and, as a man in modest

circumstances, I wanted the reward."

"How much will you get?"

"All together, the rewards aggregate twenty thousand dollars. I'll get

half, and my firm will get half."

"I think," said Arthur, to test the man, "that Jones would have paid you

double that amount to let him alone."

Le Drieux shook his head; then he smiled.

"I don't mind telling you, Mr. Weldon--in strict confidence, of

course--that I approached Jones on that very subject, the day he was

placed in jail. He must have been sure his tricks would clear him, for he

refused to give me a single penny. I imagine he is very sorry, right now;

don't you, sir?"

"No," said Arthur, "I don't. I still believe in his innocence."

Le Drieux stared at him incredulously.

"What, after that examination of to-day?" he demanded.

"Before and after. There was no justice in the decision of Judge Wilton;

he was unduly prejudiced."

"Be careful, sir!"

"We are talking confidentially."

"To be sure. But you astonish me. I understand the character of Andrews

so thoroughly that I fail to comprehend how any sensible person can

believe in him. Talk about prejudice!"

"I suppose you are to remain at this hotel?" said Arthur, evading

further argument.

"Yes, until the papers arrive. They ought to be here by Monday. Then

I shall take Andrews to New York and we will board the first steamer

for Europe."

Arthur left him. Le Drieux puzzled him more than he puzzled Le Drieux.

The expert seemed sincere in the belief that he had trapped, in Jones, a

noted criminal. Weldon could not help wondering, as he walked away, if

possibly he and his friends had been deceived in A. Jones of Sangoa. The

doubt was but momentary, yet it had forced itself into his mind.

On Saturday afternoon they all made a visit to the prisoner and tried to

cheer him. Again on Sunday they called--the Stantons and Merricks and

Weldons and all. Young Jones received them with composure and begged them

not to worry on his account.

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