"Is Captain Carg a Sangoan ？"she asked."Of course.The entire crew are Sangoans.""Then where has the yacht been since it landed you here？fteen months ago？""It returned at once to the island，and at my request has now made another voyage to America.""It has been here several days.""Quite likely.""Has it brought more pearls from Sangoa ？""Perhaps.I do not know，for I have not yet asked for the captain's report."Both Uncle John and Patsy were amazed at the rapiditya with which Maud was acquiring information of a really important character.Indeed，she was herself surprised and the boy's answers were already clearing away some of the mists.She stared at him thoughtfully as she considered her next question，and Jones seemed to grow thoughtful，too.
"I have no desire to worry my friends over my peculiardifficulties，"he presently said."Frankly，I am not in the least worried myself.The charge against me is so preposterous that I am sure to be released after the judge has examined me；and，even at the worst—if I were sent to Vienna for trial—the Austrians would know very well that I am not the man they seek.""That trip would cause you great inconvenience，however，"suggested Mr.Merrick.
"I am told a prisoner is treated very well，if he is willing to pay for such consideration，"said Jones.
"And your good name？"asked Maud，with a touch of impatience.
"My good name is precious only to me，and I know it isstill untarnisheda.For your sake，my newly found friends，I would like the world to believe in me，but there is none save you to suffer through my disgrace，and you may easily ignore my acquaintance.""What nonsense！"cried Patsy，scornfully."Tell me，sir，what's to become of our grand motion picture enterprise，if you allow yourself to be shipped to Vienna as a captured thief ？"He wincedb a trifle at the blunt epithetc but quickly recovered and smiled at her.
"I'm sorry，Miss Patsy，"said he."I know you will bedisappointed if our enterprise is abandoned.So will I.Since this latest complication arose I fear I have not given our project the consideration it deserves."The boy passed his hand wearily across his forehead and，rising from his seat，took a few nervous steps up and down the room.Then，pausing，he asked abruptly：
"Are you still inclined to be my champion，Miss Stanton ？""If I can be of any help，"she replied，simply.
"Then I wish you would visit the yacht，make the acquaintance of Captain Carg and tell him of the trouble I am in.Will you ？""With pleasure.That is—I'll be glad to do your erranda.""I'll give you a letter to him，"he continued，and turningto the attendant he asked for writing material，which was promptly furnished him.At the table he wrote a brief note and enclosed it in an envelope which he handed to Maud.
"You will ？nd the captain a splendid old fellow，"said he.
"Will he answer any questions I may ask him？"she demanded.