In a louder tone of voice, he greeted the newcomers, saying:
"Good-evening, gentlemen. I was starting to come up to your house, Mr. Warfield."
"Was that the direction I left at the post office for you to follow, young man?" demanded Mr. Warfield, sternly.
"No, sir; but Jack was so tired that I thought——"
"So you put more importance upon the condition of your horse than you do the affairs of Uncle Sam?"
"Not exactly that; but I did not know you wished to see me upon government matters. I——"
"It seems to me, young man, that you should have been very anxious to see me, if I was not to see you, after what has happened to-day. Mr. Shag was so much concerned about it that he rode up here posthaste to let me know. He tells me you have lost the Hollow Tree packet of mail."
"Mr. Shag said it was missing, sir, when I got to his office; but I trust you do not think it any of my fault. Mr. Belmont——"
"The horse does not seem very badly winded," broke in Sheriff Brady, who had approached Jack, and was running his hand over the creature's body. "Ha! Mr. Warfield, I hardly think we shall have to look much farther for the missing mail. Here it is, fast enough."
Little Snap uttered a low exclamation of astonishment, as he saw the sheriff take from the little pouch he had fastened to the saddle for his convenience in carrying small articles to and fro on his trips, the missing package of mail matter!