Part 24 (2/2)
Jack drank the coffee, and it made him feel better. Then he said:
”Now for the mail. I want to see it opened, Jennie, so I'll know just what it was I brought through.”
”But you're not going on through to Rainbow Ridge to-night, are you?” she asked anxiously.
”I guess not,” was his answer. ”Can't tell though, until I see what's in the mail. I may have to.”
”Well, we'll just not let you!” exclaimed Mrs. Blake with vigor. ”If there is anything that has to go through I'll get Tim, or some one else, to ride the trail. We'll even send two men if necessary.”
”Oh, I can't give up that way!” Jack protested.
”Well, maybe there isn't anything to carry,” suggested Jennie. ”I'll open the mail and we'll look.”
She turned the key in the lock of the first sack, and spilled the contents out on the sorting table. Almost the first thing she and Jack saw was a flat package, sealed with red wax. Jack quickly turned it over.
”It's for Mr. Argent!” he exclaimed. ”I wonder if these can be the important letters and plans he is expecting? They must be, and that's why Ryan tried to get them!”
Jennie said nothing, but looked at Jack with troubled eyes.
CHAPTER XXII
THE MASKED MAN
For a few seconds the two young people remained looking alternately at one another, and then at the packet which they guessed contained the long-expected and important papers. The red wax, with which the package was sealed, gleamed in the lamp-light, for one had been set aglow. It was dark early on this night, as clouds overcast the sky.
”Yes, these must be the papers Mr. Argent is expecting,” Jack said, musingly. ”I wonder what I'd better do about them?”
”What is there to do?” asked Mrs. Blake.
”Well, I think I ought to take them to him. I feel all right now. The effects of that drug has pa.s.sed off, and--”
”Nonsense!” exclaimed Jennie's mother; ”you shall do nothing of the sort.
No trip to Rainbow Ridge to-night!”
”But he may want them!” insisted Jack. ”And I promised to bring them through for him. I think I must go.”
”Please don't,” pleaded Jennie. ”We can lock the letters in the safe here, and you can take them the first thing in the morning. You know you were told not to make a night trip unless it was absolutely necessary, and it isn't. There isn't anything here that must go through before morning,” and she rapidly sorted over the mail and express matter to prove what she said.
”And didn't Mr. Argent tell you not to take the risk of a night trip just for these letters?” asked Mrs. Blake.
”Yes, he did, but--”
”Then don't go. In fact it would not be fair to him to risk taking them after dark, when you know his enemies are after them. You have had a narrow escape this afternoon, you are weak, and--”
”Oh, I'm all right now!” insisted Jack. ”I feel fine.”
He certainly looked it. His health had enabled him to make a quick recovery from the effects of the drug, the life he lived in the open air doing much to help his system throw off the effects of the narcotic. Jack looked able to make a night ride.
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