"Frankly，I do not know.While all the ？lm makers evade any attempt to discover how prosperous—financially—they are，we know that without exception they have grown very wealthy.I am wondering if this young Jones is not one of the owners of the Continental—a large stockholder，perhaps.If so，that not only accounts for his in？uence with Goldstein，but it proves him able to finance this remarkable enterprise.He doubtless knows what he is undertaking，for his ？gures，while not accurate，were logical.""Of course！"cried Patsy."That explains everything.""Still，"said Uncle John cautiously，"this is merely s u r m i s ea on our part，and before accepting it we must reconcile it with the incongruities in the case.It is possible that the elder Jones owned an interest in the Continental and bequeathedb it to his son.But is it probable？Remember，hewas an islander，and a recluse.""More likely，"said Beth，"Ajo's father left him a great fortune，which the boy invested in the Continental stock.""I have been told，"remarked Aunt Jane thoughtfully，"that Continental stock cannot be bought at any price.It pays such enormous dividends that no owner will dispose of it.""The whole thing is perplexing in the extreme，"declaredArthur."The boy tells a story that at first seems frank and straightforward，yet his statements do not dovetailc，so to speak.""I think he is holding something back，"said Beth；"something that would explain all the discrepanciesd in his story.You were wrong，Uncle John，not to let him speak when he offered to tell you all.""There was something in his manner that made me revolt from forcing his con？dence，"was the reply.
"There was something in his manner that made me think he was about to concoct a story that would satisfy our curiosity，"said Louise with a shrug.
Uncle John looked around the circle of faces.
"You are not questioning the young fellow's sincerity，I hope？"said he.
"I don't，for a single second ！"asserted Patsy，stoutly."He may have a queer history，and he may not have told us all of it，but Ajo is honest.I'll voucha for him ！""So will I，my dear，"said Uncle John.
"That is more than I can do，just at present，"Arthur frankly stated."My opinion is that his preposterous offer is mere bluff.If you accepted it，you would ？nd him unable to do his part.""Then what is his object ？"asked Maud.
"I can't ？gure it out，as yet.He might pose as a millionaire and a generous friend and philanthropist for some time，before the truth was discovered，and during that time he could carry out any secret plans he had in mind.The boy is more shrewd than he appears to be.We，by chance saved his life，and at once he attached himself to us like a barnacle，and we can't shake him off.""We don't want to，"said Patsy.
"My explanation is that he has fallen in love with one of us girls，"suggested Flo，with a mischievous glance at her sister."I wonder if it's me ？""It is more likely，"said Louise，"that he has discoveredUncle John to be a very—prosperous—man.""Nonsense，my dear！"exclaimed that gentleman，evidently irritated by the insinuationa."Don't pick the boy to pieces.Give him a chance.So far he has asked nothing from us，but offers everything.He's a gratefulb fellow and is anxious to help you girls carry out your ambitious plans.That is how I read him，and I think it is absurd to prejudge him in the way you are doing."The party broke up，the Stantons and Weldons going totheir rooms.Beth also rose.
"Are you coming to bed，Patsy？"she inquired.
"Not just now，"her cousin replied."Between us，we've rubbed Uncle John's fur the wrong way and he won't get composed until he has smoked his good—night cigar.I'll sit with him in this corner and keep him company."So the little man and his favorite niece were left together，and he did not seem in the least ruf？ed as he lit his cigar and settled down in a big chair，with Patsy beside him，to enjoy it.