Part 16 (1/2)

”Now, I want to see the records of the registered mail, going and coming, Miss Blake. I also must check over your stamps and cash. Have you had in, lately, any special delivery stuff?”

”Why, yes--that is--Oh, I hardly know where to begin,” said the fl.u.s.tered girl, wis.h.i.+ng Jack would say something, ”You see I've never been inspected before.”

”Humph!” sneered the man. ”You act as though something was wrong. Most offices where I go don't have such nervous persons in charge. If everything is all right you have nothing to fear. Perhaps you had better step outside and let me go over matters myself. That would be better, and you wouldn't be so nervous.

”If everything is all right you have nothing to fear, and if there is something wrong, well, I'll be as easy in my report to Was.h.i.+ngton as I can.

I won't make it too hard for you. Yes, I think that will be best. Just leave the office to me for a little while.”

Jennie flashed, over the man's head, a look at Jack in the corner behind the door. The young pony express rider had arisen, and, to her alarm, Jennie saw his hand go toward the pocket where she knew he carried his revolver--a new one since the robbers had taken his first one.

Jennie wanted to scream.

”Just run along, little girl, and let me have the place to myself,” the man urged.

It was time for Jack to act.

He fairly sprang out from behind the door and confronted the man.

”Are you sure,” Jack asked, ”that if she left the post office to you that you wouldn't run off with it?”

The man started back. He turned a little pale, and then a flood of red surged into his face. He seemed to recover himself with an effort.

”I--I don't know what you mean. Who are you?” he demanded, curtly.

”Never mind who I am, but who are you?” and Jack fairly shot out the words.

”Why, I'm the post office inspector for this district,” was the answer, and again the man's tone was sneering. ”Are you connected with the department, if I may ask?”

”I am,” said Jack, grimly.

”In what capacity?”

”Pony express rider!” shot out Jack. ”The same pony express rider that you and your gang of outlaws held up not long ago! I know you now. I was sure of you the minute I set eyes on you on that big horse, and when I heard your voice I was doubly sure. Wearing your mask didn't help any. I know you! You're no more a post office inspector than I am. You're a post office robber, that's what you are!”

The man started to speak, but stopped suddenly. As Jack was about to draw his weapon to order the man to submit, the fellow with a sudden leap was out of the place. In another instant he had jumped to the back of his horse, yanking loose the tie rope as he leaned over the saddle. Then with a clatter of hoofs he was off.

Jennie screamed, but Jack, flas.h.i.+ng past her to get outside, yelled:

”Stop him! Get after him! He's one of the fellows who held up the mail, and robbed me! Stop him!”

Jack fired in the air to attract attention, for the neighborhood was deserted. He could not bring himself to fire at the man, nor even at the splendid horse. Though the provocation was great, and though Jack would have been justified, he could not do it.

”Stop him! He's a post office robber!” Jack yelled, again firing a shot Then, leaping on the back of his pony which was waiting for him outside the building, Jack gave chase after the escaping outlaw.

”We've got to get him, Sunger!” he cried. ”We've got to get him!”

CHAPTER XV

A CAUTION