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."