Jenney twisted in Whitefield’s grip, but the huge man held him as in a vise.
“You’ve gone ag’in’ somethin’ bigger than a township or a county, Jenney, or even a state.... It’s the United States of America that’s puttin’ you under arrest, Jenney, through me, its duly appointed marshal.... Drop that gun!”
The United States of America! The Federal authorities had taken a hand. That explained Whitefield’s absence.... The United States!... Carmel sobbed. In this thing she had the might of America behind her! The authority of a nation!
“Put him in a car,” Whitefield directed his companions; and it was done.
“Whitefield,” called a voice, “you hain’t goin’ to interfere? You hain’t goin’ to stop us?”
“I got nothin’ to do with you,” Whitefield said. “I got what I come for.”
The cars filled again, the obstruction was removed, and once again the men of Gibeon moved toward their objective. They reached it, surrounded it, men burst in its doors and laid hands upon whomever they found.... Carmel, well escorted, ran up the stairs.
“That’s the door,” she cried, and powerful shoulders thrust it from its hinges.
“Evan!...” she cried. “Evan!...”
He lay upon the floor, motionless. Carmel knelt beside him, frantic at the sight of his motionlessness. She lifted his head to her lap, peered into his white face, stared at his closed eyes.