"It is all true, mother. Here is Mr. Kelsey, and he will tell you the same."
"This is preposterous——" began the squire, faintly, but Ralph cut him short.
"It is all true. The man who followed me to New York was Martin Thomas. He is now in jail and has confessed all."
The squire tottered as if struck a blow. He tried to speak, but the words would not come.
"And do you know why he did it?" went on Ralph. "He had the missing papers, and wished to get hold of our property here. But the missing papers we have found——"
"Found!"
The squire managed to gasp out the single word.
"Yes, found. They were in a registered letter sent by Squire Paget to some friend in New York. They were stolen by the post office thieves, who are now in custody. And, by the way, squire, shall I tell you who the thieves were? Dock Brady, a man named Cassidy, and a boy named Percy Paget."
It was a final and telling blow. The squire fell back, pale and trembling. Ralph faced him dauntlessly, while the others stood around, holding their breath.
Squire Paget could not answer. He wanted to speak, but not a word would his tongue utter. He looked about for his silk hat, and, finding it, dashed out of the house as if a legion of demons were after him.