Sam Taber had that about him which signified authority even where no authority was vested. He was the kind of man people stopped and looked at. Slim, cold-faced, and gray-eyed, he had at once the manner of an aristocrat and the wary attitude of one who had met suffering and danger along the way and was on the alert for more.
After a full minute of silence, he asked coldly, "What is this?"
Bates said, "I'm arresting this man."
"Why?"
"For resisting me—an officer."
"Why did he resist you?"
"I went to his house to ask him some questions and—"
"And what?"
"He slugged me."