Somehow, it had seemed to them, Lawler would straighten things out for them; they had faith in Lawler; they had trusted in his energy and in his mental keenness.

And when they had sent him to the capital they had thought that the governor would not dare to refuse his request.

He was too great a man to be trifled with.
It was plain to them, now, that the invisible power which they had challenged was a gigantic thing--for it had not been impressed by their champion.
Their faces betrayed their disappointment; in their downcast eyes and in their furtive glances at one another--and at Lawler--one might have read evidence of doubt and uncertainty.

They might fight the powerful forces opposed to them--and there was no doubt that futile rage against the power surged in the veins of every man in the group about Lawler.

But there seemed to be no way to fight; there seemed to be nothing tangible upon which to build a hope, and no way to attack the secret, subtle force which had so arrogantly thwarted them.
There was an uneasy light in Caldwell's eyes when he finally looked up at Lawler.