"Yes，of course，"was the reply；"but I'll admit that fellow Andrews is a smooth one.Why，at one time he had even me puzzled with his alibis and his evidence.That ？ash of the pearls was the cleverest trick I ever heard of；but it didn't go，I'd warned the judge to look out for a scoop.He knew he was dealing with one of the most slippery rogues in captivity.""See here，Le Drieux，"said Arthur；"let us be honestwith one another，now that the thing is settled and diplomacyis uncalled for.Do you really believe that Jones is Jack Andrews？""Me？I know it，Mr.Weldon.I don't pose as a detective，but I'm considered to have a shrewd insight into human character，and from the first moment I set eyes on him I was positive that Jones was the famous Jack Andrews.I can understand how you people，generous and trusting，have been deceived in the fellow；I admire the grita you've all shown in standing by him to the last.I haven't a particle of malice toward any one of you，I assure you—not even toward Andrews himself.""Then why have you bounded him so persistently ？""For two reasons."said Le Drieux."As a noted pearl expert，I wanted to prove my ability to run down the thief；and，as a man in modest circumstances，I wanted the reward.""How much will you get？""All together，the rewards aggregate twenty thousand dollars.I'll get half，and my ？rm will get half.""I think，"said Arthur，to test the man，"that Jones would have paid you double that amount to let him alone."Le Drieux shook his head；then he smiled.
"I don't mind telling you，Mr.Weldon—in strict confidence，of course—that I approached Jones on that very subject，the day he was placed in jail.He must have been sure his tricks would clear him，for he refused to give me a singlepenny.I imagine he is very sorry，right now；don't you，sir？""No，"said Arthur，"I don't.I still believe in his innocence."Le Drieux stared at him incredulouslya.
"What，after that examination of to—day？"he demanded."Before and after.There was no justice in the decision ofJudge Wilton；he was undulyb prejudiced.""Be careful，sir！""We are talking con？dentially."
"To be sure.But you astonish me.I understand the character of Andrews so thoroughly that I fail to comprehend how any sensible person can believe in him.Talk about prejudice！""I suppose you are to remain at this hotel？"said Arthur，evadingc further argument.
"Yes，until the papers arrive.They ought to be here by Monday.Then I shall take Andrews to New York and we will board the ？rst steamer for Europe."Arthur left him.Le Drieux puzzled him more than he puzzled Le Drieux.The expert seemed sincere in the belief that he had trapped，in Jones，a noted criminal.Weldon could nothelp wondering，as he walked away，if possibly he and hisfriends had been deceived in A.Jones of Sangoa.The doubtwas but momentary，yet it had forced itself into his mind.
On Saturday afternoon they all made a visit to the prisoner and tried to cheer him.Again on Sunday they called—the Stantons and Merricks and Weldons and all.Young Jones received them with composurea and begged them not to worry on his account.
"I am quite comfortable in this jail，I assure you，"saidhe."On my journey to Vienna I shall be able to bribe Le Drieux to let me have such comforts as I desire.There is but one experience I shrink from：the passage across the Atlantic.If it brings a return of my former maladyb I shall suffer terribly.""It may not be so bad as you fear，"Patsy assured him，although in her heart she realized it might be the death of the boy."Often those who are distressed by a voyage on the Paci？c endure the Atlantic very well.""That is encouraging，"said he."It is my dread of thewater that has prevented me from returning to Sangoa，or even visiting my yacht.And this reminds me of a favor I wish to ask.""You may rely upon our friendship，"said Maud.
"I believe that.Here is a letter to Captain Carg，putting the Arabella at your disposal until my return from Vienna.I have named Mr.Merrick as the commander of the yacht，in my absence，and if you feel inclined to make the trip and can spare the time I would like you all to make a voyage toSangoa.""To Sangoa！"they cried in chorusa.
"Yes.I am ambitious to prove to you，who have been my staunchb friends，that the island is indeed there.Incidentally you will become acquainted with the prettiest place in all the world.My house will be at your disposal while you remain and I am sure you will ？nd it fairly comfortable."They were so amazed at this proposition that at ？rst no one found words to answer the boy.It was Flo，naturally，who ？rst collected her thoughts.
"It will be awfully jolly！"she cried，clapping her handswith delight."I'm sure Maud and I need a vacation.Let's stick up our noses at Goldstein and sail away to the mysterious islec.What do you say，girls？And you，Mr.Merrick？""I believe，my boy，"said Uncle John，laying a kindlyhand on the youth's shoulder，"that all of us are inclined to take advantage of your offer.That is，if you are sure we can be of no further use to you in your dif？culties.""I am taking Colby abroad with me and he can do all that may be done until after my trial.Then I hope to rejoin you here and am looking forward to a jolly reunion."Uncle John took the letters which Ajo had written to Captain Carg，to his superintendent in Sangoa and to his housekeeper.Then they all pressed the boy's hand and wentaway.
Monday morning the extradition papers arrived.Le Drieux exhibited them proudly to young Weldon，to Mr.Merrick，and even to the girls，who regarded the documents with shuddering awe.
"We'll take the night train，"said the man."That will get us to New York on Friday，in time to catch the Saturday steamer for Calais."As he spoke a boy approached and handed Le Drieux a telegram.
"Excuse me，"said he，and opened it with an important？ourish.The next moment his face fell.He staggered and sank half fainting into a chair which Mr.Merrick pushed toward him.
Patsy ran for some water.Maud Stanton fanned the man with a folded newspaper.Arthur Weldon picked up the telegram which had fluttered from Le Drieux's grasp and deliberately read it.Then he，too，sank gasping into a chair.
"Listen，girls ！"he cried，his voice shrill with emotion.
"What do you think of this ？
"'Jack Andrews arrested here in New York to—day by Burns detectives.Countess Ahmberg's collection of pearls was found in his possession，intact.Return here ？rst train.'""Signed：'Eckstrom &Co.'"There was a moment of tense silence.Flo clapped her hands.
"Come on，"she shouted in gleea，"let's go and tellAjo ！"