meant his honor - his position.

Over the rough fields the girls followed him. Hazel clung to his
hand like a little sister indeed, while the others were content to
keep as close as the uncertain footing would allow.

Presently they reached the road, then the stage coach. The other
girls, who had not run to Paul's rescue, were standing around
breathless.

Paul jumped into the car - thrust his hand into the box under the
floor, where he always put the government pouch.

He brought up the mailbag.


CHAPTER VII

A CHANCE MEETING


Paul lost no time in reaching Cartown with the belated mail, and
so was obliged to leave the girls an the road with scant ceremony,
hardly pausing to discuss why he had been bound when no apparent
robbery had been perpetrated.

Hazel appeared so agitated that Cora insisted upon her returning
to the Kimball home to dinner, and also had succeeded in getting a
promise from Paul that he would come there as early in the evening
as it would be possible for him to do so.