“I would like to meet Miss Stanton and thank her personally,” he presently resumed.  “So, if you have no objection, I think I shall register at this hotel and take a room.  I—­I am not very strong yet, but perhaps Miss Stanton will see me when I have rested a little.”

“She won’t return before five o’clock,” explained Mr. Merrick.  “Miss Stanton is—­er—­connected with a motion picture company, you know, and is busy during the day.”

He seemed both surprised and perplexed, at first, but after a moment’s thought he said: 

“She is an actress, then?”

“Yes; she and her sister.  They have with them an aunt, Mrs. Montrose, for companion.”

“Thank you.  Then I will try to meet them this evening.”

As he spoke he rose with some difficulty and bade them adieu.  Arthur went with him to the desk and proffered his assistance, but the young man said he needed nothing but rest.

“And just think of it,” said Patsy, when he had gone.  “We don’t know yet what that ‘A’ stands for!”

“Arthur,” suggested Louise.

“Albert,” said Beth.

“Or Algernon,” added Uncle John with a chuckle.

“But we haven’t seen the last of him yet,” declared Miss Doyle.  “I’ve a romance all plotted, of which A. Jones is to be the hero.  He will fall in love with Maud and carry her away to his island!”

“I’m not so sure of that result,” observed Uncle John thoughtfully.  “It wouldn’t astonish me to have him fall in love with Maud Stanton; we’ve all done that, you know; but could Maud—­could any girl—­be attracted by a lean, dismal boy with a weak stomach, such as A. Jones?”

“Even with these drawbacks he is quite interesting,” asserted Beth.

“He is sure to win her sympathy,” said Louise.

“But, above all,” declared Patsy, “he has an island, inherited from his royal daddy.  That island would count for a lot, with any girl!”

CHAPTER VII

THE INVALID

The girls intercepted Maud Stanton when she returned to the hotel that evening, and told her all about A. Jones.  The tale was finished long before that dyspeptic youth had wakened from his slumbers.  Then they all dressed for dinner and afterward met in the lobby, where Uncle John told them he had arranged to have a big round table prepared for the entire party, including a seat for A. Jones, who might like to join them.

However, the young man did not make his appearance, and as they trooped into the dining room Patsy said resentfully: 

“I believe A. Jones is in a trance and needs rolling on a barrel again.”

“He probably found himself too weak to appear in public,” replied Flo Stanton.  “I’m sure if I had been all but drowned a few hours ago, I would prefer bed to society.”

“I’m astonished that he summoned energy to visit us at all,” declared Mrs. Montrose.  “He may be weak and ill, but at least he is grateful.”