Perhaps he was under observation.

Ah, let the cutthroats look their full at him! He established himself in his office.

He had scarcely done so when Mr.
Betts knocked at the door.

The sheriff came direct from Mr.Saul and arrived out of breath, but the letter was not mentioned by the judge.
He spoke of the crops, the chance of rain, and the intricacies of county politics.

The sheriff withdrew mystified, wondering why it was he had not felt at liberty to broach the subject which was uppermost in his mind.