Said Uncle John to the stranger, in his frank and friendly way: "Tell us as much or as little as you like, my boy.

We are not unduly inquisitive, I assure you." "Thank you, sir.

I am an American, and my name is Jones.

That is, I may claim American parentage, although I was born upon a scarcely known island in the Pacific which my father purchased from the government of Uruguay some thirty years ago." "Sangoa ?" asked Arthur.
He seemed surprised at the question but readily answered: "Yes; Sangoa.

My father was a grandnephew of John Paul Jones and very proud of the connection; but instead of being a sailor he was a scientist, and he chose to pass his life in retirement from the world." "Your father is no longer living, then ?" said Mr.Merrick.
"He passed away a year ago, on his beloved island.