"When this stranger, whom we now know as Mr. Goings, appeared, I was puzzled, and I stopped him as I did below the Narrows. When you were beyond hearing, he and I soon came to an understanding, and have worked together since.
"He sent me the letter I got to-day, apprising me that the time to strike at the cave had come. To explain how I could get back and forth so quickly and readily, I would say that I found a passage through the mountain which served me an admirable purpose.
"With all that I knew of the Raggles, I will confess that I had not had any suspicions against the postmistress of Greenbrier, but now I believe her to be connected with the Raggles', if not to be one of them.
"You must pardon me for the way in which I have deceived even you. I considered it would be safest, though I have often had hard work to keep from betraying my secret. It is over at last, I am thankful to say, and I am sure that I am myself as of yore."
"How glad mother will be," Little Snap exclaimed. "I can hardly believe it all."
"A good job of work has been done," said Mr. Goings. "By the way, Dix, had you missed the postmaster of Hollow Tree?"
"I did when I came back from the cave. I had not before."
"He has gone on ahead of us under an escort, though I do not believe we shall prove anything against him. He was more of a tool in the hands of our political friend ahead. His audience will be somewhat surprised, I anticipate. Fool! he might have succeeded had he followed the right road."
The surprise at Six Roads was only equaled by the joy of those most interested in the events as our party reached that place.
Mr. Rimmon was on hand to welcome our hero, and none showed greater pleasure outside of those at home.