“As soon as he is arrested we will get him a lawyer—­the best in this country,” said Mr. Merrick.  “More than that we cannot do, but a good lawyer will know the proper method of freeing his client.”

The next morning they were up early, awaiting developments; but Le Drieux seemed in no hurry to move.  He had breakfast at about nine o’clock, read his newspaper for a half hour or so, and then deliberately left the hotel.  All of Mr. Merrick’s party had breakfasted before this and soon after Le Drieux had gone away young Jones appeared in the lobby.  He was just in time to see the Stanton girls drive away in their automobile, accompanied by their Aunt Jane.

“The motion picture stars must be late to-day,” said the boy, looking after them.

“They are,” answered Patsy, standing beside him at the window; “but Maud says this happens to be one of their days of leisure.  No picture is to be taken and they have only to rehearse a new play.  But it’s a busy life, seems to me, and it would really prove hard work if the girls didn’t enjoy it so much.”

“Yes,” said he, “it’s a fascinating profession.  I understand, and nothing can be called work that is interesting.  When we are obliged to do something that we do not like to do, it becomes ‘work.’  Otherwise, what is usually called ‘work’ is mere play, for it furnishes its quota of amusement.”

He was quite unconscious of any impending misfortune and when Beth and Louise joined Patsy in thanking him for his pretty gifts of the pearls he flushed with pleasure.  Evidently their expressions of delight were very grateful to his ears.

Said Uncle John, in a casual way:  “Those are remarkably fine pearls, to have come from such an island as Sangoa.”

“But we find much better ones there, I assure you,” replied the boy.  “I have many in my room of much greater value, but did not dare ask you to accept them as gifts.”

“Do many pearls come from Sangoa, then?” asked Arthur.

“That is our one industry,” answered the young man.  “Many years ago my father discovered the pearl fisheries.  It was after he had purchased the island, but he recognized the value of the pearls and brought a colony of people from America to settle at Sangoa and devote their time to pearl fishing.  Once or twice every year we send a ship to market with a consignment of pearls to our agent, and—­to be quite frank with you—­that is why I am now able to build the picture theatres I have contracted for, as well as the film factory.”

“I see,” said Uncle John.  “But tell me this, please:  Why is Sangoa so little known, or rather, so quite unknown?”

“My father,” Jones returned, “loved quiet and seclusion.  He was willing to develop the pearl fisheries, but objected to the flock of adventurers sure to descend upon his island if its wealth of pearls became generally known.  His colony he selected with great care and with few exceptions they are a sturdy, wholesome lot, enjoying the peaceful life of Sangoa and thoroughly satisfied with their condition there.  It is only within the last two years that our American agents knew where our pearls came from, yet they could not locate the island if they tried.  I do not feel the same desire my father did to keep the secret, although I would dislike to see Sangoa overrun with tourists or traders.”