Part 28 (1/2)

”Well, you'd gone through enough, in that drugging business, to make anybody tired enough to sleep hard,” one man said. ”They can't blame you.”

”No indeed!” agreed another.

But Jack blamed himself. He felt that he had failed in his trust. He did not know what to do. His brain seemed incapable of thinking. If he could only catch the robber and get back the letters!

As he went along with the others over the mountain trail in the early morning, he looked eagerly about, as though he might see some sign of the much-wanted rascal. But the trail was deserted, save for the posse.

They rode into Rainbow Ridge, and that place was soon buzzing with the startling news. As soon as possible a number of men were started out through the mountains, to cover even the bridle paths and trails seldom used. All strangers who could not give a good account of themselves were to be brought into the town.

Mr. Argent was told of the stealing of the valuable letters. He looked grave when Jack explained what had taken place.

”Of course it isn't your fault, Jack,” the miner said, ”and I'm not in the least blaming you.”

”I wanted to come through with them last night, but--”

”It probably wouldn't have done any good, and you might have been attacked and hurt. I'm glad that didn't happen. Of course losing the papers is going to make it very bad for my friends and myself in making good our claim to the mine. But it can't be helped. You did the best you could. No one could have done more. That was a plucky thing you did--tying yourself on the pony's back when you felt you were going to become unconscious.”

”But it didn't result in any good in the end,” said Jack bitterly. ”And now Sunger is gone, too.”

”That's too bad. But still we may catch this fellow. So my package was the only one he took?”

”Well, I didn't stay until all the mail was checked up,” answered Jack, ”but I'm sure that was missing from the opened safe. I half hoped that this might be another dummy package,” said Jack, ”and that your other letters might be in the one addressed to the postmaster here.”

”No such luck!” exclaimed the miner. ”The package addressed to me contained the real and important letters and mine plans that I've been expecting so long. There was some stuff for me in that other package you mention, but it isn't important.

”I wish now,” he went on, ruefully, ”that I had had a dummy package come through. But I worked that plan once, and I didn't think it would have an effect a second time. Well, it's all in the game, and if I lose this inning I may make it up later. But whatever happens, Jack, don't in the least feel that I blame you.”

”Well, it's awfully good of you to say so,” replied the pony rider, ”but I can't help feeling bad about it.”

”Oh, I feel bad myself,” the miner said. ”But there's no use crying over spilled mola.s.ses.”

”I think you mean milk,” Jack corrected, with a smile.

”Well, perhaps I do. Anyhow the thing to do now is to see if we can't round up these fellows. For there were more than one of them, though you only saw one at the safe. I have an idea who some of them are, too.”

As soon as it was seen that a hasty and quick search was not going to result in the capture of the robber and his confederates, a well-planned organized hunt was inst.i.tuted, to take in as much as possible of the surrounding mountain country. Jack could not take part in this, as he had to ride the express route.

At first he feared lest he might be discharged for having been robbed, but, as a matter of fact, technically he was not in the least to blame. The matter taken was not in his charge, but was in the safe in a post office, and his responsibility ended with the delivery of the mail. Nor was Jennie Blake blamed. The post office authorities did not in the least censure her or her mother. In fact they paid them the compliment, and Jack, too, of saying that extraordinary precautions had been taken, but that the robbery had occurred in spite of them.

Another point was that no express stuff was taken, but only United States'

mail. And so the express people had no complaint against Jack, or any one else, as they had lost nothing. Such being the case, there was no good reason for displacing Jack, especially as the robbery had not occurred on his route. So those who hoped to get his position were disappointed.

”You can keep right on riding for us, Jack, my boy,” said Mr. Perkfeld.

”We're glad to have you. It isn't often we get as plucky a lad as you. And when your father gets well, and wants his place back, he can have it, and I'll find an opening for you on another route, if you like.”

”I certainly would like!” Jack exclaimed, warmly.

In addition to the posse organized in Golden Crossing and Rainbow Ridge the post office authorities also sent out inspectors and detectives to try and round up the robbers. This was done the day after it occurred, so that within forty-eight hours the mountain trails were being well patrolled by men eager to apprehend the offenders. And in the mountains, off the trails, were others on the same errand. Jack wished he could be with them, but he had to keep to the mail and express route.

As far as Mr. Argent could learn, no use had yet been made of the stolen doc.u.ments.