.. . . .. ...- . ..... . . .. . - - ..... - . . . .. .. ..
- - .- -. -.. .- - - ..- ... .. ... ... ..- . -.. - . .
-. .. --. .... - -... .. .. -.-. ..- -.. --. . .-- .. --
... . . -. ... .. --. - .... . . . -.. . . . .. . .
.. . .- - - .....

That may not look particularly intelligible, but if the Phoenix
operator had been talking over the 'phone to me he couldn't have
said any plainer,--

"Sheriff yavapai county ash forks arizona be at railroad station
three forty five today to meet train arriving from phoenix
prepared to immediately serve peremptory mandamus issued tonight
by judge wilson sig theodore e camp."

My question being pretty thoroughly answered, I went back and
continued my walk; but before five minutes had passed, the
operator came out, and handed me a message. It was from Fred, and
read thus:--

"Camp, Baldwin, and lawyer went at once to house of Judge Wilson,
where they stayed an hour. They then returned with judge to
station, and after despatching a telegram have taken seats in
train for Ash Forks, leaving here at three twenty-five. I shall
return with them."

A bigger idiot than I could have understood the move. I was to be
hauled before Judge Wilson by means of mandamus proceedings,
and, as he was notoriously a G. S. judge, and was coming to Ash
Forks solely to oblige Mr. Camp, he would unquestionably declare
the letters the property of Mr. Camp and order their delivery.

Apparently I had my choice of being a traitor to Madge, of going
to prison for contempt of court, or of running away, which was
not far off from acknowledging that I had done something wrong. I
didn't like any one of the options.

CHAPTER IX

A TALK BEFORE BREAKFAST

Looking at my watch, I found it was a little after three, which
meant six in Washington: allowing for transmission, a telegram
would reach there in time to be on hand with the opening of the
Departments. I therefore wired at once to the following effect:--

"Postmaster-General, Washington, D. C. A peremptory mandamus has
been issued by Territorial judge to compel me to deliver to
addressee the three registered letters which by your directions,
issued October sixteenth, I was to hold pending arrival of
special agent Jackson. Service of writ will be made at three
forty-five to-day unless prevented. Telegraph me instructions how
to act."

That done I had a good tub, took a brisk walk down the track, and
felt so freshened up as to be none th