"Mother, I have no greater enemy or worse one than Mr. Brady, though I do not understand why he is against me. Has father been home since I started for Volney?" he asked, suddenly changing the subject. "No. I am growing more and more anxious about him. He seems to grow more moody every day. I am so sorry for him, and I know not what can be done." Little Snap offered such encouraging words as he could, though he could not forget the fact of his father's presence among the outlaws of Greenbrier cave. It was true he had not seen his countenance, but he was none the less certain of the truth of the situation. He trembled for the ultimate outcome of the mystery. Another thing puzzled him not a little, and that was the mention of the names of "judge" and "colonel" by Bird Burrnock. He was at a loss to understand who these associates of the desperadoes of Blazed Acre could be. Justice Claverton was often called "judge," and Mr. Warfield in the same tone frequently spoken of as "the colonel." With all the enmity the first bore toward him, he could not think he was the one meant by the outlaw, while it seemed preposterous that Mr. Jason Warfield, the ambitious politician, could be spoken of in this connection. Naturally enough the affairs of the past few days were the general themes of conversation at Six Roads. Though he kept aloof from the crowds that daily collected at all of the public places, Little Snap heard sufficient for him to know he was the object of many unfavorable remarks. It was certain his enemies were improving the time to set public opinion against him as much as possible. Dan Shag seemed everywhere present, repeating, in a loud tone, his grievances, and continuing his threats against the postmaster, who offered him no reply. Mr. Warfield was out of town, but in the afternoon of the same day he got home from Volney, Little Snap was paid a visit by the politician's secretary. "I felt it my duty to call upon you," said Mr. Jones, "relative to the matter I know must be fresh in your mind." "I do not understand what you refer to," replied Dix, not at all pleased with this call. "Nothing is so hard to understand as what we do not wish to understand," said the other. "Of course you have not forgotten those missing registered letters of Mr. Warfield's." "No, sir; still I do not know why you should come to me about them. I suppose the affair is being investigated." "No one would be more likely to know than you," was the significant reply. "But to be frank with you, I have come for a confidential talk with you, confessing that it was suggested by Mr. Warfield. He bears you no ill will. In fact, he desires to help you all in his power, as his past actions have shown. Now, upon his guarantee I can assure you that nothing will be done with you if you will tell us the whole truth in regard to this matter.