They went about it in such a high-handed, lordly manner that Anderson took alarm and his heart sank like lead.

He saw in his mind's eye the utter collapse of all his hopes, the dashing away of his cup of leisure and the upsetting of the "fairy godmother's" plans.

Pulling his wits together, he set about to frustrate the attack of the meddlers.

Whether it was his shrewdness in placing obstacles in their way or whether he coerced the denizens into blocking the sheriff's investigation does not matter.

It is only necessary to say that the officious gentleman from Boggs City finally gave up the quest in disgust and retired into the oblivion usual to county officials who try to be progressive.