THE ARM OF POWER Lawler stayed long enough at the Circle L to speak a word with his mother.

His sister Mary had gone to bed when he stepped into the front door of the ranchhouse, to be greeted by Mrs.Lawler, who had heard him cross the porch, recognized his step and had come to meet him.
He smiled at her, but there was a stiffness about his lips, and a cold, whimsical light in his eyes, that told her much.
She drew a deep breath, and smiled faintly.
"You have disagreed with Gary Warden," she said.

"He will not keep Lefingwell's agreement." "Said he never heard of any agreement," said Lawler.

"I rode in to tell the boys to hold the herd here until I got back from the capital.

I'm going to see the railroad commissioner--about cars.