"So Jones controls the Continental，eh？"he said."How long since，Mr.Goldstein？""Why，since the January meeting，a year and more ago.It was an astonishing thing，and dramatic—believe me ！At the annual meeting of stockholders in walks this striplinga—a mere kid—proves that he holds the majority of stock，elects himself president and installs a new board of directors，turning the tired and true builders of the business out in the cold.Then，without apology，promise or argument，President Jones walks out again！In an hour he upset the old conditions，turned our business topsy—turvya and disappeared with as little regard for the Continental as if it had been a turnip.That stockmust have cost him millions，and how he ever got hold of itis a mystery that has kept us all guessing ever since.The only redeeming featureb 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 mypeople，orders me to do unbusinesslike things and raises hoba 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 ？ght his own battles.""It occurs to me，"suggested Mr.Merrick，who wasgrowing 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 parleya.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 andthen she was gone，without as yet a hint of the misfortune thathad 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 limbob ？""I suppose so，"he rejoined，sinking into an easy chair beside her."Is Arthur back yet ？""No，"said Louise，answering for her husband，"he is probably staying to do all he can for the poor boy.""Did you get a lawyer ？"inquired Beth.
"I got a fellow who claims to be a lawyer；but I'm not sure he will be of any use."Then he related his interview with Colby，to theamusement of his nieces，all three of whom approved the course he had taken and were already prepared to vouch for the briefless barrister's ability，on the grounds that eccentricity meant talent.
