" Finally, as a
crowning absurdity, the grand jury, at its annual session, overstepping
in its zeal the limits of its powers, returned findings against "one
Ashley Thorne and Robert Orde, in the pay of the United States
Government, for arbitrary exceeding of their rights and authorities; for
illegal interference with the rights of citizens; for oppression," and
so on through a round dozen vague counts.
All this tumult astonished Thorne.
"I had no idea this Samuels case interested them quite so much up there;
nor did I imagine it possible they would raise such a row over that old
long-horn. I haven't been up in that country as much as I should have
liked, but I did not suspect they were so hostile to the Service."
"They always have been," commented California John.
"All this loud mouthing doesn't mean much," said Thorne, "though of
course we'll have to undergo an investigation. Their charges don't mean
anything. Old Samuels must be a good deal of a demagogue."
"He's got a good lawyer," stated California John briefly.
"Lawyer? Who?"
"Erbe of White Oaks."
Thorne stared at him puzzled.
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