“But, of course, if you’re suspicious,” he added, “you can come around and see the superintendent and ask for an investigation. Before I did that, though, if I were you, I’d get into communication with the sender and ask if the case really contained a watch when he mailed it.” “That’s a good idea,” said Harrington. “I’ll get Bill on the phone right now.” Although he didn’t consider that it was really any concern of his, Owen waited while the saloon keeper telephoned, anxious to hear what the outcome would be. A few minutes later Harrington turned from the phone, a grave look upon his face. “Just as I thought,” he said; “it ain’t a joke at all. Bill Warren says he’s willin’ to swear that he sent that watch--says he can produce two witnesses who saw him put the watch in the package, seal it up, and hand it in at the post-office registry window.” He hurriedly donned his hat and coat. “That watch has been stole--stole from the U-nited States mails. That’s a serious offense. I’m goin’ right around to the post office to make a complaint. All these gentlemen here are witnesses that the watch wasn’t in the package when I opened it.” The following day Carrier Owen Sheridan was placed under arrest by two United States post-office inspectors. “We want you, Sheridan,” they said, accosting him in the doorway of Branch X Y, as he came back from his noon-delivery tour. “Want me? What for?” he demanded, in great astonishment. “For robbing the mails. No use throwing any bluff; we’ve got you dead to rights.” “I suppose this has to do with that watch which was missing from the registered package yesterday,” said Owen calmly. “But why suspect me in particular? The package passed through many hands while in the post office.” “Yes, but only one pair of hands opened it and stole its contents,” was the grim retort, “and those hands were yours, Mr. Sheridan. Otherwise, how could the pawn ticket have got into your trunk?” “The pawn ticket?” repeated Owen blankly. “Yes. We have just come from your boarding house. We went there to look your room over; and we found--this.” The inspector took from his pocket a pawn ticket for a gold watch, and held it before the astonished mail carrier’s eyes. “The watch this ticket calls for has already been identified as the watch which was stolen from the package, and we found this in your trunk. It looks very much as if you’re going to exchange that gray uniform for a suit of stripes, Carrier Sheridan.” TO BE CONTINUED. WILLIE’S MISTAKE. Willie Jones had been warned several times for breaches of school discipline, and was at length reported to the head master, who gave him a final warning. One night, not long after, Willie was again caught in mischief, and he felt that this time he was “in for it.” A flogging by the master was no joke, and Willie determined to make what preparation he could that the wind might be tempered to the shorn lamb.