"But that is nonsense！"interposed Arthur warmly."Thereis no justice in such an assertion.If I know anything of the purpose of the law，and I think I do，you must first provethis man's guilt before you carry him to Austria to be tried by a foreign court.""I don't care a snapa for the purpose of the law，"retortedLe Drieux."Our treaty with Austria provides for extradition，and that settles it.This man is already under arrest.The judge who issued the warrant believes that Jones is Jack Andrews and that Jack Andrews stole the pearls from the Countess Ahmberg.Of course，the prisoner will have a formal examination，when he may defend himself as best he can，but we haven't made this move without being sure of our case，and it will be rather dif？cult for him to escape the penalty of his crimes，clever as he is.""Clever？"It was Jones himself who asked this，wonderingly.
Le Drieux bowed to him with exaggerated politeness.
"I consider you the cleverest rogue in existence，"said he."But even the cleverest may be trapped，in time，and your big mistake was in disposing of those pearls so openly.See here，"he added，taking from his pocket a small packet."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 recognizetheir 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，"saidhe；"but，if you wish to assist me，please send me a lawyer and then go to the Continental and tell Mr.Goldstein of my predicamenta.""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 Iam 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 andpromised 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 givehim a preliminarya 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.
Merrick，and then Goldstein.