Knowing it would be best for him to return to the post office as soon as possible, to give a more intelligible account of what had befallen him, he was about leaving the house immediately after eating his supper, when he was surprised by the appearance of a body of men at the door.
Foremost of the party was Sheriff Brady, who said, as the postboy opened the door:
"I arrest you, Dix Lewis, in the name of the United States Government. Will you come with me peacefully as my prisoner?"
"Arrest me? What have I done now, Mr. Brady, to cause my arrest?"
"Done? I should say there was enough to send you to prison for life. Will you allow me to handcuff you?"
CHAPTER XIII
A CURIOUS COURT.
For a moment Little Snap could not comprehend the meaning of Sheriff Brady's order.
Mrs. Lewis had been standing but a few feet away, and at the officer's demand she rushed forward to throw herself between Dix and the other.
"You shall not harm him!" she cried. "I——"
"Be calm, Mrs. Lewis!" commanded the officer. "It is a painful duty I am compelled to perform, but you only make it the harder by your nonsense."