CHAPTER XXIV.

DRIVEN TO THE WALL.

The excitement following Morton Meiggs' announcement of the finding of the lost registered letters, and the sight of them in his hand, was so great that Mr. Rimmon attempted to speak several times before he could make himself heard.

"We would like to hear the particulars in regard to the finding of the letters, Mr. Meiggs," said the postmaster.

"I can give them in a very few words, Mr. Rimmon. I was riding up from Greenbrier, and got up to within about a mile of Hollow Tree, when I thought I heard the rustling of paper in the bushes by the roadside. Stopping my horse, I hadn't listened a great while before I knew I was right."

"Still I didn't think anything strange of that, and I was just going to start along, when I thought I saw a bit of paper sticking out of a hollow stump growing, or rather standing, for I suppose it had got done growing, two or three rods away from the road.

"I had the curiosity to investigate, so I got off my horse and went up to the stump of a tree. Sure enough, there was a letter a-sticking out of a crack in the dead tree. I pulled it out to find it was one of them registered letters which had been lost or something done with them.

"I began to look about the place, and to reward me for my trouble I found all three of them registered letters of Mr. Warfield's, and I also found one telltale letter sent to Dix Lewis. All of them were opened just as I show them to you."

It seemed a long time before any one spoke, after Mr. Meiggs' statement.

"Let me see the letters," said the postmaster, reaching out his hand for them.

"Reckon that will be all the evidence you will need to show who the guilty party is," said Meiggs, as he passed the letters to the other.

"These are no doubt the missing letters," allowed the postmaster, "but I fail to see how this proves that Dix Lewis put them there."

"Who did, if he didn't?" demanded Clevis Claverton.

"I do not pretend to answer that. It is a mystery that remains to be cleared up."

"Has the contents been taken from all of them?" asked Mr. Warfield, looking over Mr. Rimmon's shoulder, as the latter examined the pieces of mail matter.

"The letters are here, but the money which they evidently contained is missing."

"Of course," said Dan Shag, with a shake of his head; "that was what he was after."

Little Snap had remained silent during this scene, but he was about to speak, when the gruff voice of Justice Claverton fell on the ears of the anxious throng.

"Mr. John Rimmon, I feel obliged to say to you that I have so far examined the laws and statutes as to find that you are not eligible to be on this young culprit's bail, seeing that you are already holding an office under the United States Government. Uncle Sam is pretty careful in that respect.

"In that case, Mr. Warfield, of course, wishes to be released, so the prisoner is left without any bonds. It is therefore my duty to command Sheriff Brady to take him to jail, there to await his trial at the next term of court.

"Mr. Brady, in my official capacity, I now order you to carry out the mandates of the law."

At this announcement greater excitement than ever reigned, during which the sheriff pushed his way through the crowd toward the postboy.

"This is too bad," said Mr. Rimmon. "Hold on a few minutes, Brady, while I can say a word to the boy."

"Talk fast, then," said the officer. "I think we have been too easy with him so far."

Unheeding this last remark, the postmaster motioned Little Snap to come inside the office.

"I have been expecting this," were his first words. "I fear I am powerless to help you any farther, though I am none the less your willing friend. Do you think of anybody who would be likely to help you through?"

"Not unless Mr. James Renders, of Greenbrier, will."

"He would not be sufficient alone, supposing he would do it. Say, I am going to call in Mr. Warfield, and see what he will do and what he won't do. He has acted funny lately."

In answer to the request of the postmaster the politician reluctantly joined the two in their private consultation.

"We wanted to speak to you alone, Jason," said Mr. Rimmon, "in regard to your feelings toward the boy here. You have seemed to be his friend in times past."

"So I have, John; so I have," declared Mr. Warfield; "and I was never more his friend than now."

"That is what I thought. So these rumors of your withdrawal from his bail are false? You are willing to stand by him longer, supposing we could get some such a person as James Renders, of Greenbrier, to stand in with you?"

"I—well—ahem—do you suppose Renders will? I hardly think it."

"Will you? I wish to know that before I speak to him or any one else. So many stories are afloat that we don't know what to believe."

"I think you can remain there," replied the other, ignoring the question asked. "As far as I know there is nothing against it in the law."

"Still, there is a doubt there, and until that is cleared away I am of no good to the boy, though I am willing to do anything I can. But before I can do anything, I must know just what you are willing to do. I ask that you remain on his bail as a personal favor to me as well as to the boy. Remember, you have never asked me for a favor in vain."

To the surprise of his companions, Mr. Warfield seemed laboring under some great mental strain. The perspiration stood out in beads all over his face, while he trembled and moved uneasily.

"I—the truth is, John, I wish I could grant you this favor. I don't think the boy unworthy of all the assistance I could give him; but the truth is, John, unavoidable circumstances over which I have no control make it impossible——"

"Ain't you 'bout through there?" broke in Sheriff Brady's voice. "The judge is getting anxious that I do my duty."

"I am coming," replied Little Snap, quickly. "Mr. Rimmon, I thank you for your kindness; and you, Mr. Warfield, I do not wish to have you do anything for me against your wishes.

"Sheriff Brady, I am ready to go with you, though I am going to tell you at the outset that somebody is going to suffer for this."

"I don't do this, Dix, from choice," said the officer, laying his hand on the postboy's shoulder. "I think myself Judge Claverton is a little severe on you. By the way, I can save you the disgrace of this going to jail if you will listen to reason. Resign this mail route without further opposition, and I guarantee the matter shall rest here. I know what I am saying, though I don't care for the mob to hear it. You will resign and save all farther trouble?"

The sheriff had lowered his voice to a tone a little above a whisper, but Little Snap's ringing reply was loud enough for every person to hear.

"Never, Mr. Brady! Take me to jail if you wish, but I will not betray the slightest trust reposed in me. I am innocent of the charges you bring against me, and there can be no disgrace until you have proved me guilty."