"Happened? Jason Warfield has decided not to stand on your son's bail, and Judge Claverton has found out that Rimmon is no good there, as he is already in the employ of the government. So we want the body of the boy. Where is he hiding?"
It was useless for Mrs. Lewis to try and make the sheriff and his posse believe Little Snap had gone away as she had said, until they had searched the house from top to bottom. Then they unanimously decided that he had run away!
In the midst of the excitement Mr. Rimmon appeared on the scene, when the distracted mother appealed to him.
"He told you that he was going to Volney, didn't he, Mr. Rimmon?"
The postmaster shook his head.
"I have not seen him since we parted after the trial. I am sorry this has happened."
"Well, it puts me in a hard place," said the sheriff, "and I tell you what I shall be obliged to do. If he don't turn up before morning, I shall raze this house to the ground and put every one of you in jail! So if you know where the precious scamp is hiding, bring him forth, or the worst will be your own."
In vain Mrs. Lewis explained, pleaded with the obdurate men. The only hope she could have was in the promise that nothing should be done until six o'clock in the morning. If Little Snap failed to come then, no mercy would be shown to the family.
"He will! he will! I am sure of that!"
"Then be calm and wait. We must keep a guard about the house."