"They can't see us against the land, but I've an idea they'll be in soon enough to learn the steamer didn't pick one of us up," he said. "That will start them wondering why we drove her so hard and where we've gone. Now you had better get the stove lighted and the supper on." CHAPTER XXV THE UNITED STATES MAIL The boys reached the ranch the next morning, and Mr. Oliver, who followed by a different route a couple of days later, seemed satisfied with the result of his journey. "If the dope men leave us alone for the next three weeks we're not likely to be troubled with them afterward," he said. "Barclay expects very shortly to be ready for what he calls his coup." "I suppose he didn't mention exactly when he would bring it off?" Harry remarked. "No," said Mr. Oliver with a laugh. "Barclay usually waits until he's certain before he moves, and he's not addicted to spoiling things by haste. In the meanwhile you may as well keep your eyes sharply open." "Won't it be awkward to communicate with him if you have to go to Bannington's every time you mail a letter?" Frank asked. "That's a point which naturally occurred to me," Mr. Oliver answered. "There are, however, reasons for believing that Barclay will be able to get over the difficulty." He said nothing further on the subject, but it cropped up again one evening when Mr. Webster arrived at the ranch in time for supper. He told them that he had finished the bridge he had gone away to build, and when they sat about the stove after the meal was over he turned to Mr. Oliver. "Have you heard that Porteous has been fired out of the store and they've got a man down from Tacoma?" he asked. "No," replied Mr. Oliver indifferently. "Anyway, you don't seem much astonished." Mr. Oliver smiled at this. "I can't say I am. What was the trouble?" "It's generally believed Porteous was tampering with the mails, and that brings up another thing I want to mention. I'm puzzled about it as well as pleased." Harry, unobserved by Mr. Webster, grinned at Frank, looking solemn again as his father caught his eye. "Well?" said the latter politely. "It's just this," said Mr. Webster. "When I came through the settlement this morning the man who fills Porteous's place gave me a letter. It requested me to send in a formal application if I was open to have my place made a postoffice and carry the mails for this and the Carthew district. They don't pay one very much, but it only means a journey once a week." "Then what are you puzzled at?"