“No, not dead.  Thank Heaven!  They’re taking him to more comfortable quarters.  A room in the Montgomery Block.  They’ve postponed the operation on the artery; as a last resort.”

“Dave,” said Windham, seriously, “do you suppose you’ll be blamed for this?”

“Good God, man!  No,” returned the other.  “Not even Gwin would dare to lay this at my door.  There’s no politics in it.  At least none of mine.”

“Yet Casey was one of your men.  They’ll say that.”

“Let them,” answered Broderick angrily.  “I’ve no more to do with it than you—­nor Coleman, who, they tell me, is forming another Vigilance Committee.”

“Yes,” said Windham.  “They’re to meet at the old Know Nothing Hall on Sacramento street.  I’m going there now.”

“Well I’m bound for a talk with Will Sherman; he’s been appointed head of the militia.  Just in time I should say.  He’ll be needed before order is restored.”

They shook hands.  Benito looked after his friend uneasily.  Broderick was on the wrong side, the young man thought; was taking an unwise tack.  But no one could argue with Broderick ... unless it were Alice.  They must have Dave to dinner again.

* * * * *

The street in front of Know Nothing Hall, a long two-story brick building was already crowded.  One by one men were admitted—­or rejected.  Now and then a man would fall out of the line muttering wrathfully.

“They’re taking mighty good care not to let any of Scannell’s friends get in,” a man behind Benito confided.  “The Sheriff’s sent a dozen ‘plants’ this morning but Bluxome weeds them out unfailingly.”

After a time Benito found himself at the wicket, gazing into Isaac Bluxome’s shrewd eyes.  He was passed immediately with a smile of welcome and found himself in a large room of the “lodge” variety.  There was a desk behind which sat William Coleman and Charles Doane.

About one hundred men moved about talking animatedly in groups and among these Benito noted many of his fellows of the ’51 committee.

Presently Coleman spoke.

“Gentlemen, it has been decided to reorganize the Vigilance Committee.  Mr. Bluxome and I have assumed the initiative, without any idea of placing ourselves at the head of the organization.  Neither of us desire more than a chance to serve—­in whatever capacity you may determine.  We have prepared a form of oath, which I suggest shall be signed by each of us with his name and the number of his enrollment.  Afterward he shall be known by that number only.”

He read the oath:  “I do solemnly swear to act with the Vigilance Committee and second and sustain in full all their actions as expressed through the executive committee.”

“That’s good!” “That’s the ticket!” affirmed a score of voices.  Coleman held up a quill pen invitingly, “Who’ll be first to sign?”

“You, Mr. Coleman,” said Benito firmly, “you must be our chief.”