Jones gave a little chuckle and then turned deprecatingly to Mr. Merrick.
"You need not come with me to the station, sir," said he; "but, if you wish to assist me, please send me a lawyer and then go to the Continental and tell Mr. Goldstein of my predicament."
"I will do that," promptly replied Uncle John.
Jones turned to bow to the girls.
"I hope you young ladies can forgive this disgraceful scene," he remarked in a tone of regret rather then humiliation. "I do not see how any effort of mine could have avoided it. It seems to be one of the privileges of the people's guardians, in your free country, to arrest and imprison anyone on a mere suspicion of crime. Here is a case in which someone has sadly blundered, and I imagine it is the pompous gentleman who claims to know pearls and does not," with a nod toward Le Drieux, who scowled indignantly.
"It is an outrage!" cried Beth.
"It's worse than that," said Patsy; "but of course you can easily prove your innocence."
"If I have the chance," the boy agreed. "But at present I am a prisoner and must follow my captor."
He turned to the officer and bowed to indicate that he was ready to go. Arthur shook the young fellow's hand and promised to watch his interests in every possible way.
"Go with him now, Arthur," proposed Louise. "It's a hard thing to be taken to jail and I'm sure he needs a friend at his side at this time."