"All's well that ends well, they say. By the by, I do not believe it will be best to tell all you know of this affair just at present. There is a mystery to me concerning the origin of all this trouble, and I don't understand the actions of some of our leading citizens. In my humble opinion it will be best to watch and wait in this matter a while. I will stand by you if no one else does. Shag came round in a terrible stew to have the mail pouch, but I knew better than to let him. "You can say that you went to Volney and saw Mr. Calvert, and in coming back you undertook to cross the bridge stringers and fell in, which will be the truth as far as you go. "In regard to that gang you saw in the cave, I don't know what to do with them. We can't exactly arrest them, even could we catch them, as it would bother us to prove anything against them. They are desperate characters to handle, too. No doubt as soon as they find you have escaped they will pitch into you again. If you have any scruples about continuing on your route, I will get a trusty man to take your place. I wouldn't blame you if you did, and it might be better so for a time. You shall have your job back again when it is over." "I don't wish to give it up at this time, Mr. Rimmon. I thank you for your kindness, and I want to go through with this. I am going to get at the bottom of this matter if it is possible." "Spoken just like a Lewis. Well, you have one who will see you through. You are true grit." "I am afraid I shall be late at the Loop, to say nothing of the other offices," said Little Snap, with a slight laugh. "You won't be expected to go at all. If Uncle Sam's servants do not keep the way open, he certainly cannot expect you to perform your task. Perhaps by to-morrow it will be so you can go." "I will be ready then," replied the postboy, earnestly. CHAPTER XXIII. THE REGISTERED LETTERS AGAIN. Though his coming had been announced by those who had preceded Mr. Rimmon and himself on their return to Six Roads, Little Snap's appearance was hailed with various feelings of demonstration. The joy of those at his home knew no bounds, while his friends greeted him with manifestations of delight. Others shook their heads, as if there was something wrong, while still others openly avowed that they would have been better suited if he had never come, or "words to that effect." "We have had such a terrible experience since you went away," said Mrs. Lewis. "I dread to have you carry that mail again, and I wish you would not, my son." "I shall not have to go to-day, mother, and Mr. Rimmon says it is possible I shall not have to go to-morrow, as it is proving quite a job to clear the road at the Narrows, to say nothing of repairing Greenbrier bridge." "I am afraid you will be killed, Dix. Sheriff Brady says the Blazed Acre folks are bound to kill you."