"Yes; and he lives seven miles beyond the bridge—too far to walk to-night."
Livingstone paused in his exercise.
"I believe there's one more mail," he said; "isn't there, fellows?"
"Why, yes, that's so!" declared Perner. "And if there isn't, go down anyway. Maybe somebody's put something in the Colonel's mail-box that we can eat or sell."
Livingstone disappeared and was gone for some minutes.
"I guess the wolf's got him," said Perner.
Then they heard him coming three steps at a time.
"Bully!" said Van Dorn. "That means a check!"
"A check, sure as the world!" echoed Perner, joyfully.
Livingstone plunged in—his face flushed, his eyes shining, and an open letter in his hand.