as if it had been a turnip.  That stock must have cost him millions, and how he ever got hold of it is a mystery that has kept us all guessing ever since.  The only redeeming feature of the affair was that the new board of directors proved decent and Jones kept away from us all and let us alone.  I’d never seen him until he came here a few days ago and began to order me around.  So, there, Mr. Merrick, you know as much about Jones as I do.”

Mr. Merrick was perplexed.  The more he heard of young Jones the more amazing; the boy seemed to be.

“Has the Continental lost money since Jones took possession?” he inquired.

“I think not,” replied Goldstein, cautiously.  “You’re a business man, Mr. Merrick, and can understand that our machinery—­our business system—­is so perfect that it runs smoothly, regardless of who grabs the dividends.  What I object to is this young fellow’s impertinence in interfering with my work here.  He walks in, reverses my instructions to my people, orders me to do unbusinesslike things and raises hob with the whole organization.”

“Well, it belongs to him, Goldstein,” said Uncle John, in defense of the boy.  “He is your employer and has the right to dictate.  But just at present he needs your help.  He asked me to come here and tell you of his arrest.”

Goldstein shrugged his shoulders.

“His arrest is none of my business,” was his reply.  “If Jones stole the money to buy Continental stock he must suffer the consequences.  I’m working for the stock, not for the individual.”

“But surely you will go to the station and see what can be done for him?” protested Uncle John.

“Surely I will not,” retorted the manager.  “What’s the use?  There isn’t even a foot of good picture film in so common a thing as the arrest of a thief—­and the censors would forbid it if there were.  Let Jones fight his own battles.”

“It occurs to me,” suggested Mr. Merrick, who was growing indignant, “that Mr. Jones will be able to satisfy the court that he is not a thief, and so secure his freedom without your assistance.  What will happen then, Mr. Goldstein?”

“Then?  Why, it is still none of my business.  I’m the manager of a motion picture concern—­one of the biggest concerns in the world—­and I’ve nothing to do with the troubles of my stockholders.”

He turned to his desk and Mr. Merrick was obliged to go away without farther parley.  On his way out he caught a glimpse of Maud Stanton passing through the building.  She was dressed in the costume of an Indian princess and looked radiantly beautiful.  Uncle John received a nod and a smile and then she was gone, without as yet a hint of the misfortune that had overtaken A. Jones of Sangoa.

Returning to the hotel, rather worried and flustered by the morning’s events, he found the girls quietly seated in the lobby, busy over their embroidery.

“Well, Uncle,” said Patsy, cheerfully, “is Ajo still in limbo?”