etective."

Goldstein's nervous jump fairly raised him off his chair; but in
an instant he settled back and shot an eager, interested look at
his visitor.

"What for, Mr. Merrick?" he demanded.

"For stealing valuable pearls from some foreign woman. A trumped-up
charge, of course."

Goldstein rubbed the palms of his hands softly together. His face wore a
look of supreme content.

"Arrested! Ah, that is bad, Mr. Merrick. It is very bad indeed. And it
involves us--the Continental, you know--in an embarrassing manner."

"Why so?" asked Uncle John.

"Can't you see, sir?" asked the manager, trying hard to restrain a
smile. "If the papers get hold of this affair, and state that our
president--our biggest owner--the man who controls the Continental
stock--is a common thief, the story will--eh--eh--put a bad crimp in
our business, so to speak."

Uncle John looked at the man thoughtfully.

"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 stripling--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-turvy and disappeared with as little regard for the
Continental 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 int