Part 16 (1/2)
”Noant to see the records of the registered , 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 knohere to begin,” said the flustered girl, wishi+ng Jack would say so, ”You see I've never been inspected before”
”Hu 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 o 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 so, well, I'll be as easy in ton 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 alaro toward the pocket where she knew he carried his revolver--a new one since the robbers had taken his first one
Jennie wanted to screairl, and let ed
It was ti 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 knohat 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”Are you connected with the departrimly
”In what capacity?”
”Pony express rider!” shot out Jack ”The sa of outlaws held up not long ago! I know you noas sure of you thehorse, 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 felloith a sudden leap was out of the place In another instant he had ju loose the tie rope as he leaned over the saddle Then with a clatter of hoofs he was off
Jennie screaet outside, yelled:
”Stop him! Get after him! He's one of the felloho 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 h the provocation was great, and though Jack would have been justified, he could not do it
”Stop hi a shot Then, leaping on the back of his pony which aiting for hi outlaw
”We've got to get hiet him!”
CHAPTER XV