CHAPTER XVI.
TROUBLE Uncle John and Arthur decided not to mention to the girls this astounding charge of Isidore Le Drieux, fearing the news would make them nervous and disturb their rest, so when the men joined the merry party in the alcove they did not refer to their late interview.
Afterward, however, when all but Arthur Weldon had gone to bed and he was sitting in Uncle John's room, the two discussed the matter together with much seriousness.
"We ought to do something, sir," said Arthur.

"This Jones is a mere boy, and in poor health at that.

He has no friends, so far as we know, other than ourselves.

Therefore it is our duty to see him through this trouble." Mr.Merrick nodded assent.
"We cannot prevent the arrest," he replied, "for Le Drieux will not listen to reason.

If we aided Jones to run away he would soon be caught.
Absurd as the charge is, the youngster must face it and prove his innocence." Arthur paced the floor in a way that indicated he was disturbed by this verdict.
"He ought to have no difficulty in proving he is not Jack Andrews," he remarked, reflectively; "and yet--those pearls are difficult to explain.
Their similarity to the ones stolen in Europe fooled the expert, Le Drieux, and they are likely to fool a judge or jury.