"What is the meaning of all this?" queried Curtis.
"We have come for the man that killed Ed Cole. We are a committee appointed by a convention of three hundred citizens who are holding an inquest over the body," said Winters. "We have come for the murderer."
"Do you know who committed the murder?"
"No, but we know it was an Injun."
"How do you know it?" They hesitated. "Do you come as an officer of the law? Have you a warrant?"
"No, I have not, but we are determined—"
"Then I deny your right to be here. Your coming is an armed invasion of federal territory," said Curtis, and his voice rang like steel.
"Here comes the other fellers," called some one in the crowd. Turning his head, Curtis saw another squad of men filing down over the hill from the north. He counted them and made out fifteen. Turning sharply to the sheriff, he asked: "Who are those men?"
"I don't know."
"Are you responsible for their coming?"