"Look! what old duffer is that!"
"Has my letter come to-day?" came the old, familiar question, while the squirrels suddenly stopped their nimble movements, and began to chatter as if with fear.
It may have been the sight of the strange horseman which had alarmed them.
The old hermit himself was eying the latter closely, as Little Snap gave his oft-repeated reply.
"I am sorry to trouble you," said the disappointed man, "but I have waited so long. Take this to her, and I am certain that to-morrow I shall get my letter."
The postboy took the proffered missive, and he and Mr. Goings were about to ride on, when the hermit suddenly stepped in front of the latter, saying:
"Who is this who rides with you to-day Postboy of the Kanawha?"
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE NEWS THAT REACHED HOME.
"A friend, old man. Stand aside and let me pass," said Austin Goings, quickly.
"Does he speak the truth, boy?" demanded Old Solitaire, catching hold of the rein of the stranger's horse.