书城外语珍珠谜案
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第58章 PICTURE NUMBER NINETEEN(1)

戈尔茨坦生气地询问莫德昨天的去向,当他得知莫德是去帮助琼斯的时候,表现出一副麻木不仁的样子。实际上,琼斯被捕这件事令他幸灾乐祸,因为对于他来说,琼斯是一个闯入者,并且干涉了他处理事务。在与戈尔茨坦的争论中,莫德想出了一个好主意来帮助琼斯。究竟是怎样的主意呢?

"Well,where have you been?"demanded Goldstein gruf?ya,as Maud Stanton entered his of?ce the next morning in response to a summons from the Continental manager."What made you run away yesterday?Don't you know such things make us lots of trouble and cost us money?""I'm not worrying about that,"replied Maud,as she composedly sat down opposite the manager.

Goldstein glared at her,but he was cautious.

"You're a ?ne actress,Miss Stanton,and you're popular on the ?lms,"he said,"but if you cannot attend to business we are paying you too much money.""Indeed !""No other firm could afford to give you so much,you know that;and the only reason we are so extravagant is because you are one of our features.""Am I to take this as a dismissalb ?"she asked carelessly.

"Dismissal !"he cried,holding up his hands."Of course not.Who is talking of dismissal ?But I owe a duty to my ?rm.Such actions as yours,in running away from rehearsals,must have a—a—reprimandc.Not severe;I am not so angry as grieved;but a reprimand is your due—and that ?y—away sister of yours is just as bad.""We went to assist your president—Mr.Jones—to establishhis innocence of the awful charge made against him,"she explained.

"Bah.You can't do that.No one can save him,"hereplied,with triumph and satisfaction mingled in his tone.

She looked at him thoughtfully.

"You seem pleased with the idea that he is guilty,Mr.Goldstein.""I am glad he is caught.What is Jones to me?An interloper!

A boy who gets money,buys stock,and then interferes with a business he knows nothing about.You are a professional,Miss Stanton.You know how we,who are in the game,have won our knowledge of it by long experience,by careful study,by keeping the thousand threads of the rope of success twisted tightly together.Any fool could buy this business,but only an expert could run it successfully.You know that.So I am glad this interfering boy is wiped off the slate forever.""But he isn't !"she protested."You still have this boy to reckon with,Goldstein.When he is examined by the judge he will be set free,for all the evidence is in his favor and there is ample proof that he is not the man they are after.And that reminds me.There is a negative here that was made at the directors'meeting in January,a year ago,which shows Mr.Jones taking control of the Continental.""I have never seen it,"he said,shaking his head.

"It is here,though,and I want a positive printed atonce,and mounted on a reel,so it can be exhibited before the judge.Have Alfred get it out of the vault.""Why should I do that ?"he inquired,frowning.

"Because,if you refuse,Mr.Jones is quite likely to ?nd another manager.No other ?rm would pay you so much as you are getting here.You know that."He g r i n n e da with delight at the thrust,then grewsolemnb.

"You are sure he will go free ?"