ATDDTA (6): Something like wanting to find out, 178-179

[Paul Nightingale]

Lew's trail observations continue. He now shelters behind "a safe-passage
document, which he kept in a leather billfold along with his detective
licences". This helps him negotiate the National Guard and even ask
questions of their Captain. Note the shift from "towards some borderline" to
"the Captain said some borderline": he knows what he sees (the appearance of
the miners), but has to doubt anything else. Cf. the "four straight lines on
paper" passage (83).

When he meets the Klan he has to use "[t]he name of the mine manager and
cavalry commander at Telluride" (179). The previous section noted that "many
of these jaspers couldn't read too well" (177); and this is likely the case
here. Briefly, he risks being lynched as they go on appearances: just as he
hasn't expected to see them, they conclude he must be 'the enemy'. The name,
however, "work[s] its magic" (179).

At the outset he continues to bear witness, and even "wonder[s] what he
should be doing". Post-Klan, his "distinct sleep-wrecking impression" is
that he should stay in Denver, a feeling is inseparable from his inability
to read the situation. He can read the cavalry and Klan because they wear
uniforms (of a kind); and he can read the appearance of the miners. Beyond
that, nothing is certain. Is it a war? It has the appearance of a war: what
else--other essential ingredients--would confirm it? If so he has to remain
"to find out which side he [is] on without all these doubts". The more he
depends on pieces of paper to confirm his identity, the less sure he is of
their validity.