"I appoint Daniel Shag as mail carrier between Six Roads and Upper Loop offices, with all the privileges and responsibilities that pertain to the route. He is to begin his duties to-morrow at six o'clock," declared Justice Claverton. Immediately following this announcement renewed confusion began, the excited words ensuing proving that the postboy had many friends present, though they were not in a position to help him. Without much delay, the signature of Jason Warfield was secured for the bail, which, with that of Mr. Rimmon, gained Little Snap his freedom until the convening of the court. "Have good courage, Dix," said Mr. Rimmon, as Little Snap left the building, accompanied by his mother, "and we will hope you will come out all right. I hardly think the road authorities will get the way clear for you to go through to-morrow, but you had better be on hand to go. Don't let it be any fault of yours if the mail does not go through." "But Mr. Claverton appointed Mr. Shag to go in my place." "Come to the office at six in the morning for the mail and you will get it. I don't know anything of Dan Shag in that capacity. Justice Claverton's appointment seems to me very irregular, to put it mildly." After thanking the postmaster for his kindness, Little Snap sought his home in better spirits than he had felt before the ending of the scene at Lawyer Claverton's office. Though no one seemed to notice it, not even the postboy, Old Solitaire had disappeared immediately after the discharge of the prisoner. CHAPTER XV. A LONG AND A VAIN WATCH. Mrs. Lewis was still very nervous concerning the trouble, though she grew calmer as Little Snap spoke so confidently of his ultimate success. "I have it, mother. I'll tell you just what I am going to do. I am going to see Mr. Calvert. "I would, my son." "He is just the man for me to find. He has the contract for carrying the mail on this route, and when he sublet it to me, he told me if I had the least bit of trouble to let him know. He ought to know it, too." "Mr. Calvert can clear up the affair, if any one can. I wish he was here now." "I'll have him here before long, and then we shall have no further reason to worry. I wonder I hadn't thought of him before." "Well, don't let the matter trouble you any longer. It is getting late, and you had better retire. You will need all the rest you can get." "Rest, mother? I am not going to sleep until I have seen Mr. Calvert, and explained the matter to him." "But you cannot see him to-night." "I must." "Why, he lives fifty miles from here. Didn't Mr. Rimmon ask you to be at the office in the morning?" "Yes, and so I will. I know it is a long ride to Volney, Mr. Calvert's home, but I shall take both Jack and Fairy, and I will fetch around before six in the morning, never fear." "I am afraid you cannot. What if you shouldn't?"