"It's past six!" cried some one from the crowd.
"So 'tis," cried the sheriff. "I don't like to resort to any violence with a woman. Wait one minnit longer. While we wait, tell us the truth, woman."
In vain she reiterated the truthfulness of her statement.
The frenzied spectators would listen to nothing reasonable.
At this critical moment little Sammy Lewis, dragging his boyish figure to its full height with manly dignity, stepped in front of his imperiled mother, crying:
"You shall not hurt her! She has told the truth of Dix. We do not know why he does not come; but he went to see Mr. Calvert. He will come back as soon as he can."
"What means all this outcry?" demanded the clear voice of Mr. Rimmon. "Sheriff Brady, is it thus you perform the duties of your office with such a rabble at your back?"
Every one started in surprise at the appearance of the postmaster, and low exclamations came from the lips of all at sight of the postboy's horse.
Mrs. Lewis seemed to comprehend the worst at a single glance.
"My boy! what has happened to him?" she cried, rushing forward to Mr. Rimmon.