"And did he see you again?" asked Mrs. Blake.
"No," Jack answered. But he did not know how Ryan had pursued him, and then disappeared.
"He must have had it all figured out," the lad went on. "He planned to come up to me after I had fallen unconscious. Then he'd take the mail. Are you sure it's safe?" he asked again.
"Yes," replied Jennie. "I'll bring it in here and let you see it if necessary."
"No, I'll go out to it," replied Jack. "I'm feeling almost myself again."
"Better take a little more rest," suggested Mrs. Blake.
She had gone outside to explain matters to the waiting and anxious crowd, which, having had its curiosity satisfied, in a measure, now dispersed. Some of the younger lads went over to the stable where Sunger was resting. They wanted to look at, and marvel over, the plucky pony that had done so much to safeguard Jack and the mail.
Jack got to his feet. He had, however, overestimated his strength, for he tottered and would have fallen had not Jennie put out her hands to steady him.
"Look out!" she cautioned him.
"Humph! I'm a regular girl!" complained Jack, somewhat ashamed of his weakness.