Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

Download in format

"Here are the famous Taprobane pearls--six of them--which

were found in your room a half hour ago. They, also, were a part of the

countess' collection."

"Oh, you have been to my room?"

"Under the authority of the law."

"And you have seen those pearls before?"

"Several times. I am an expert in pearls and can recognize their value at

a glance," said Le Drieux with much dignity.

Jones gave a little chuckle and then turned deprecatingly to Mr. Merrick.

"You need not come with me to the station, sir," said he; "but, if you

wish to assist me, please send me a lawyer and then go to the Continental

and tell Mr. Goldstein of my predicament."

"I will do that," promptly replied Uncle John.

Jones turned to bow to the girls.

"I hope you young ladies can forgive this disgraceful scene," he remarked

in a tone of regret rather then humiliation. "I do not see how any effort

of mine could have avoided it. It seems to be one of the privileges of

the people's guardians, in your free country, to arrest and imprison

anyone on a mere suspicion of crime. Here is a case in which someone has

sadly blundered, and I imagine it is the pompous gentleman who claims to

know pearls and does not," with a nod toward Le Drieux, who scowled

indignantly.

"It is an outrage!" cried Beth.

"It's worse than that," said Patsy; "but of course you can easily prove

your innocence."

"If I have the chance," the boy agreed. "But at present I am a prisoner

and must follow my captor."

He turned to the officer and bowed to indicate that he was ready to go.

Arthur shook the young fellow's hand and promised to watch his interests

in every possible way.

"Go with him now, Arthur," proposed Louise. "It's a hard thing to be

taken to jail and I'm sure he needs a friend at his side at this time."

"Good advice," agreed Uncle John. "Of course they'll give him a

preliminary hearing before locking him up, and if you'll stick to him

I'll send on a lawyer in double-quick time."

"Thank you," said the boy. "The lawyer first, Mr.

Page:: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 75; 76; 77; 78; 79; 80; 81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96; 97; 98; 99; 100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106; 107; 108; 109; 110; 111; 112; 113; 114; 115; 116; 117; 118; 119; 120; 121; 122; 123; 124; 125; 126; 127; 128; 129; 130; 131; 132; 133; 134; 135; 136; 137; 138; 139; 140; 141