书城外语珍珠谜案
5601700000015

第15章 A.JONES(1)

被救起的男孩终于苏醒过来了,于是大家围坐在他的周围听他讲述自己的经历。他姓琼斯,是美国人,来自一个名为桑荷阿的岛屿,父母都已过世,也没有其他亲戚。虚弱的他感谢了亚瑟和帕齐,并且急切地希望见到营救他的莫德·斯坦顿。但是很不凑巧的是莫德去拍戏了,要到晚上才会回来。大家纷纷猜测,他俩见面之后,会发生什么奇妙的故事呢?

There was work for the Stanton girls at the "film factory,"as they called it,next morning,so they had left the hotel before Mr.Merrick's party assembled at the breakfast table.

"I must telephone the Santa Monica hospital and find out how our patient is,"remarked Uncle John,when the meal was over;but presently he returned from the telephone booth with a puzzled expression upon his face."A.Jones has disappeared !"he announced.

"Disappeared!What do you mean,Uncle?"asked Beth.

"He woke early and declared he was himself again,paid his bill,said 'good morning'to the hospital superintendenta and walked away.He wouldn't answer questions,but kept asking them.The nurse showed him the book with the record of how he was saved,but she couldn't induce him to say who he was,where he came from nor where he was going.Seems a little queer,doesn't it ?"They all confessed that it did.

"However,"said Patsy Doyle,"I'm glad he recovered,and I'm sure Maud will be when she hears the news.The boy has a perfect right to keep his own counsel,but he might have had the grace to tell us what that initial 'A.'stands for,and where on earth Sangoa is.""I've been inquiring about Sangoa,"announced Arthur,just then joining the group,"and no one seems wiser than weare.There's no record of such a town or state in Mexico,or in the United States—so far as I can discover.The clerk has sent for a map of Alaska,and perhaps we'll ?nd Sangoa there.""What does it matter?"inquired Louise.

"Why,we don't like to be stumpeda,"asserted Patsy,"that's all.Here is a young man from Sangoa,and—""Really,"interrupted Beth,who was gazing through the window,"I believe here is the young man from Sangoa !""Where ?"they all cried,crowding forward to look."Coming up the walk.See !Isn't that the same mysteriousindividual whose life Maud saved?""That's the identical mystery,"declared Uncle John."I suppose he has come here to look us up and thank us.""Then,for heaven's sake,girls,pump him and ?nd outwhere Sangoa is,"said Arthur hastily,and the next moment a bell boy approached their party with a card.

They looked at the young fellow curiously as he came toward them.He seemed not more than eighteen years of age and his thin features wore a tired expression that was not the result of his recent experience but proved to be habitual.Hismanner was not languidb,however,but rather composed;at the same time he held himself alert,as if constantly on his guard.His dress was simple but in good taste and he displayed no embarrassment as he greeted the party with a low bow.

"Ah,"said Uncle John,heartily shaking his hand,"Iam delighted to ?nd you so perfectly recovered."A slight smile,sad and deprecatinga,flickered for an instant over his lips.It gave the boyish face a patient and rather sweet expression as he slowly replied:

"I am quite myself to—day,sir,and I have come to assureyou of my gratitude for your rescue of me yesterday.Perhaps it wasn't worth all your bother,but since you generously took the trouble to save me,the least I can do is to tenderb you my thanks."Here he looked from one to another of the three girls and continued:"Please tell me which young lady swam to my assistance.""Oh,it was none of us,"said Patsy."Miss Stanton—Maud Stanton—swam out to you,when she noticed you were struggling,and kept you a?oat until we—until help came.""And Miss Stanton is not here?""Not at present,although she is staying at this hotel."He gravely considered this information for a moment.As he stood there,swaying slightly,he appeared so frailc and delicate that Uncle John seized his arm and made him sit down in a big easy chair.The boy sighed,took a memorandum from his pocket and glanced at it.

"Miss Doyle and Mr.Weldon pulled out in a boat and rescued both Miss Stanton and me,just as we were about to sink,"he said."Tell me,please,if either Miss Doyle or Mr.

Weldon is present."