Part 15 (2/2)
You say he is co back in an hour?”
”Yes, and the time is nearly up There he is now”
Jack looked out, and a strange feeling cah horse riding up to the post office
”Is he the inspector?” asked the pony rider
”Yes,” Jennie answered
Jack shut his teeth grie look came over his face
CHAPTER XIV
THE CHASE
”On, Jack, what shall I do?” asked Jennie She was tre, and see,” the pony express rider answered
”Let this inspector ask his questions, and then we'll see what course to take”
”Oh, but suppose he finds so--not the proper aht”
”Say, little girl, don't you worry!” Jack went on ”I don't believe this felloill do ”
”Why, Jack, what overnment inspector He told me so! Do you know him?”
”I rather think I do, but I' of his lips, and a determined look came into his eyes ”I want to hear him speak first,” the lad said ”Then I can tell better”
The inspector, if such he were, had stopped outside the post office to light a cigar He sat easily on his big horse, and Jack could not help ad the noble animal The man himself was a fine physical specimen, but he had a hard, cruel face, and shi+fty eyes There was no one in the immediate vicinity of the post office at that time, for Jack had delivered the mail an hour before, and he had sauntered back to the office, after doing some errands about town, to have a talk with Jennie The other mail would not arrive for another hour, so there was no excuse for the gathering of the crohich always awaited the incoain advanced slowly He looked all about, Jack thought, to see if he was likely to be interfered with, but this race, and tied his horse to a post in front of the office Then he sauntered in Jack sat down in a chair behind a door, out of sight He did not want the inspector to see hiht moment
”Well, Miss--er--Blake, I believe you said your naan the man, and his tone was insolent, ”I suppose you are ready to have o over your accounts now?”
Jack started at the sound of his voice
”That's the fellow--I'ot one of theleamed
Jennie hardly knehat to , or say so, to help her
Still she was postmistress, and only she was qualified to answer the official questions But if so?
”Well, thenand was much upset It was the first time an inspector had called at her little office