The sign "Property of the U.S." resumed its place. Thorne made
of the ancient homestead a ranger's post.
"It's incomprehensible as a genuine popular movement," said he on one of
Bob's periodical returns to headquarters. The young man now held a
commission, and lived with the Thornes when at home. "The opposition up
there was so rabid and it wilted too suddenly."
"'The mutable many,'" quoted Amy.
But Thorne shook his head.
"It's as though they'd pricked a balloon," said he. "They don't love us
up there, yet; but it's no worse now than it used to be here. Last week
it was actually unsafe on the streets. If they were so strong for
Samuels then, why not now? A mere court decision could not change their
minds so quickly. I should have expected the real bitterness and the
real resistence when the Marshal went up to put the old man off."
"That's the way I sized it up," admitted Bob.
"It's as if somebody had turned off the steam and the engine quit
running," said Thorne, "and for that reason I'm more than ever convinced
that it was a made agitation. Samuels was only an excuse."
"What for?" asked Bob.
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