Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West
"I want you
to take my car," he added, "and hasten to the police station, that you
may be present at the preliminary examination. There will be plenty of
time to talk afterward."
Colby nodded. His coat and hat made the young lawyer quite presentable
and without another word he followed Mr. Merrick down the stairs and took
his seat in the motorcar. Next moment he was whirling down the street and
Uncle John looked after him with a half puzzled expression, as if he
wondered whether or not he had blundered in his choice of a lawyer.
A little later he secured a taxicab and drove to the office of the
Continental Film Manufacturing Company. Mr. Goldstein was in his office
but sent word that he was too busy to see visitors. Nevertheless, when
Mr. Merrick declared he had been sent by A. Jones, he was promptly
admitted to the manager's sanctum.
"Our friend, young Jones," he began, "has just been arrested by a
detective."
Goldstein's nervous jump fairly raised him off his chair; but in
an instant he settled back and shot an eager, interested look at
his visitor.
"What for, Mr. Merrick?" he demanded.
"For stealing valuable pearls from some foreign woman. A trumped-up
charge, of course."
Goldstein rubbed the palms of his hands softly together. His face wore a
look of supreme content.
"Arrested! Ah, that is bad, Mr. Merrick. It is very bad indeed. And it
involves us--the Continental, you know--in an embarrassing manner."
"Why so?" asked Uncle John.
"Can't you see, sir?" asked the manager, trying hard to restrain a
smile. "If the papers get hold of this affair, and state that our
president--our biggest owner--the man who controls the Continental
stock--is a common thief, the story will--eh--eh--put a bad crimp in
our business, so to speak."
Uncle John looked at the man thoughtfully.
"So Jones controls the Continental, eh?" he said. "How long since, Mr.
Goldstein?"
"Why, since the January meeting, a year and more ago. It was an
astonishing thing, and dramatic--believe _me_!
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There was once a king who was very powerful. He had great influence over the wild beasts and animals. Now the tortoise was looked upon as the wisest of all beasts and men. This king had a son named Ekpenyon, to whom he gave fifty young girls as wives, but the prince did not like any of them. The king was very angry at this, and made a law that if any man had a daughter who was finer than the prince's wives, and who found favour in his son's eyes, the girl herself and her father and mother should be killed.
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