Part 18 (1/2)

But, not knowing when they'll arrive, I'll have to trust the regular mail service. Only one thing, Jack. Don't bring them through at night. I mean by that, don't make a night trip just for my papers. Of course, if you have to make a night ride anyhow, and the doc.u.ments arrive at Golden Crossing, bring them along with you. But don't make a special trip on their account, as there is no rush about them. I suppose you can depend on the people at the other end of the line--I mean in the Golden Crossing office?”

”Well, I should say I could!” declared Jack, energetically. ”Jennie Blake is postmistress there and--”

”Oh, I forgot. She's a relative of yours, isn't she?”

”Yes,” answered Jack, and he blushed under his coat of tan.

”Well then of course it's all right. I am not greatly worried about the transportation from San Francisco to Golden Crossing. It's from there to here the doc.u.ments will be taken, if at all.”

”They won't be taken at all!” declared Jack. Of course, he was boyishly enthusiastic. For that one can not blame him. He was deeply interested in his work. To him it meant everything. He wanted to bring the mail through safe, and on time every trip. And, so far, he had more than made good.

That one hold-up did not count against him, especially as he had so soon recovered the bulk of the stuff.

”Well, I guess that's all I have to say to you, Jack,” concluded the miner.

”As I remarked, I can't say just when the papers will arrive. And when they do--well, take the best care of them you can.”

”I wonder how it would do to try another ruse, and hide them, say in a loosely tied package, that looked as if it didn't contain anything more valuable than a pair of old shoes?”

”That might answer. But as you tried that game once, and it didn't work, it would hardly deceive the outlaws a second time. But use your own judgment, Jack. I leave it all to you. Only bring me the papers, and don't let the other fellows get them.”

”I won't!”

”Shake!” exclaimed the miner, and their hands met in a firm clasp.

Jack rode the trail that day, reaching Golden Crossing with the packages and letters.

”Well, Jennie,” he remarked, ”the game is on.”

”What game?” she asked. ”I hope you don't mean any more bogus inspectors are coming here.”

”No. I mean that any time now that package of mine doc.u.ments may reach here. When it does, put it in the safe if I'm not here.”

”And what are you going to do with it?”

”Carry it to Rainbow Ridge, of course.”

”Oh, Jack! Suppose something happens?” half whispered Jennie.

”Well, I hope it doesn't. And I'm going to do my best to see that something doesn't happen. But if it does, well, I'll have to put up with it, I suppose,” Jack said, with a shrug of his shoulders.

”I almost hope the old package doesn't come,” murmured Jennie, with a pout of her pretty lips.

”Oh, that wouldn't do,” said Jack. ”It's very valuable and important. And that's what the pony express is for--to transport speedily valuable and important packages and letters. I'll make out all right, I guess.”

”I--I hope so,” she faltered.

For several days after that Jack watched the mails anxiously for a sight of the package of doc.u.ments relating to the mine. But it did not come, and as he made each trip he planned what to do at certain points of the road, where he might possibly be held up again.

”Though it's a question, just as Mr. Argent says, whether they would try the same tactics twice,” Jack reasoned. ”They may try some other game. I'll have to be on the watch for both.”