Smoothing it out as best he could, he saw that one side was written over in a coarse, sprawling hand.
He easily read, while a look of anxiety came over his features:
"Sirs: Why is it you do not act more promptly and effectively? This delay is dangerous, and I am not going to brook it any longer. It puts every man of us in double the danger we should risk in quick, decisive action. I am going away for a few days, and I shall expect this work to have been finished before I get back. Look sharp, then, and get that route clear. We have fooled with that boy too long already."
There was no address nor signature to this obscure message, while the writing was in a hand unknown to Little Snap.
He read it over several times, and then examined the coat more closely.
No other paper was found, but when he had finished his survey of the garment he exclaimed:
"I have seen that jacket before, I am sure. I have it! It was on Pewee Burrnock's back!
"How about this letter. It is evident I am the one that is meant. Ha! I have a clew in regard to that, though I never saw that handwriting before. It looks as if the writer was trying to disguise his hand. That paper is just like that Mr. Rimmon and Mr. Warfield used in making out my bail, but I don't know which furnished it."
The hoof strokes of a horse caused the postboy to look up, when he discovered a horseman approaching from the direction of Salt Works.
A second look showed him that it was Austin Goings.