"We have to know that."
"And has any one the right to take her—isn't that stealing?" he asked, suppressing his fierceness.
"They have her now in their possession and you are enjoined by the court from interfering," I said, half to myself, trying to think if I had heard of any hint of this procedure.
"Ben, do you suppose it is the Becker crowd—have they got wind of our plan, and are they doing this?" he asked, with wonderful self-possession.
"It may be, Hiram, but I doubt it—I am afraid the owners have shown up and are trying to regain their property in this way, alleging an irregular sale. They had to make some such showing to get the injunction."
"What can we do?" he snapped at me, as though becoming incensed at my deliberation.
"My boy—when passing amid rocks the captain must——"
"I beg your pardon, Ben—you can understand," he said quickly.
"Whether they are right or wrong to fight the courts means months' and perhaps years' delay—the only thing possible is to compromise."