All feelings imaginable were depicted upon the countenances of the little group surrounding the postboy.
CHAPTER VII.
"THE TRUTH IN A NUTSHELL."
"This explains why he did not wish to come up to your house with his hoss, squire," said Dan Shag, nodding his head toward the recovered package. "I thought it was best to git here as soon as possible."
The sheriff was examining the package more closely, while Mr. Warfield looked from him to the postboy with a peculiar expression upon his face.
"What does all this mean?" asked Mrs. Lewis, in an anxious voice. "My boy has done nothing wrong; I am sure of that."
"Do not be alarmed, mother," said Little Snap, gently. "Please go into the house, and I will explain it to these men."
"So you confess to the theft?" inquired Mr. Warfield, quickly, without giving Mrs. Lewis time to speak.
"No, sir. In fact, I do not know as there has been any theft."
"Don't get excited, my boy," said Mr. Warfield, in a more kindly tone than he had previously used. "We are all your friends, and are not here to injure you. Mr. Shag came up to tell me about the missing package, and I thought it was best for us to see you before it had been noised all over town. Own up to the truth and we will not be hard with you."
"I am not going to tell you anything but the truth, Mr. Warfield. How that package of mail came in my saddle pocket is more than I can explain. I certainly did not put it there, nor did I know it was there."