The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-21

except so far as it may relieve you and
| some others that tho department knows
equally well from u certain responsible
ity, and, perhaps, anxiety. We are
pretty we'll posted down there in all
eAat concerns Laurel Run, and think"
with " slight bow we've known all
about you and John Baker NV onlv
business here is to take your place to-
night in receiving the Omnibus way
bag that YOU know arrives here Mt
$50; doesn't it?''
Yes, sir" said Mrs. Baker, hurried
iy; but it nevev has anything for us,
eXcept-"(shc caught herself up quickly
with a stammcr, as she remembered the
signing Green's occasional offerings
except notification from Hickory
Hill post office. 1t leaves there" she
went on, with al affectation of prcci-
sion, lat half-past eight exactly, and
it's about an hours run-scvcn miles bv
road
Exactly" said Mr.. Home "Well, 1
will receive the bag, open it and dis
patch it again. You can, if you choose,
take holiday"
But" said Mrs. Baker, as She re-
membered that Laurel Run always
made point of attending her evening
levee on account of the superior leisure
it offered, there are the people who
come for letters, you know"
II thought you said there were no
letters at that timc," said Mr.. Home,
quickly.
"No--but-but-"(with n slight hys-
terical stammer)-''the boys come all
the same"
Obi said Mr.. Home, dryly.
"And--O Lord!' But here the specta-
Gle of the possible discontinue of
Laurel Run at meeting the bearded face
CT Mr.. Home, instead of her own smooth
cheeks, ut the window, combined with
her nervous excitement, overcame her
SO that, throwing her little frilled apron
over her head, she gave way to parox-
ysm of hystcrical laughter. Mr. Home
waited with amused liberation for it to
stop, and when she had recovered re-
sumed: "Now, l should like to refer
an instant to my first communication to
YOU Have you got it handy?"
Mrs. Bakers face fell mo, sent
it over to Mr.. Green, of Hickory Hill,
for information"
"What!'
Terrified at the sudden seriousness
OF the mans voice, she managed to gasp
out, however, that, after her usual hab-
it, she had not opened the official let
tcrs, but had sent them to her more cx-
perienccd colleague for advice and in
formation; that she never could under
stand them herself They made her
head ache and intcrfcrcd with her
other duties; but he understood them
and sent her word what to do. Rcmem-
boring, also, his usual style of indorse-
ment, she grew red again.
And what did he say?"
Nothing; he didn't return them"
Naturally" said Mr. Home, with a
peculiar expression. After few mo-
ments' silent strolsing of his beard he
suddenly faced the frightened woman.
"You obligc me, Mrs. Baker, to speak
more frankly to you than l had in
tended. You have-unwittingly, be-
lieve-givcn information to a man
whom the government suspects of pecu-
lation. You have, without knowing it,
warned the postmaster at Hickory Hill
that he is suspected, and, as you might
have frustrated our plans for tracing a
series of embellishments to their proper
source, you will see that you might
N1OAAN
as his only neighbor and the next re-
sponsible person. In plain words, we
have traced the disappearance of money
letters to point when it lies between
these two offices. Now, have not the
least hesitation in telling you that we
do not suspect Laurel Run, and never
have suspected it. Even the result of
your thoughtless act, although it warned
him, confirms our suspicion of his guilt.
AS to the warning, it has failed, or he
has grown reckless, for another letter
has been missed since. Tonight, how
ever, will settle all doubt in the matter.
When open that bag in this Office to-
night and do not find certain decoy
letter in it which was last checked at
Heavy Tree Crossing, I shall know that
it remains in Green's possession at
Hickory HILL"
She was sitting back in her chair,
white and breathless. He glanced at
her kindly, and then took up his hat.
Come, Mrs. Baker, don't let this worry
II m