“Misther Chairman,” yelled Dennis, evidently expecting to find another rival as before.  But no one spoke.

“Mr. Moriarty,” said Peter.

“Misther Chairman.  It’s my delight to nominate as delegates to the State convention, the Honorable Misther Schlurger, our distinguished representative in the Assembly, the Honorable Misther Kennedy, our noble Police-commissioner, an’ Misther Caggs, whom it would be insult for me to praise in this company.”

“Second the motion,” said some one.

“Mr. Chairman,” shouted a man.

“That’s Caggs,” said the enrolling officer.

“Mr. Caggs,” said Peter.

“Mr. Chairman,” said Caggs.  “I must decline the honor offered me from such a source.”

“What?” shrieked Dennis, amazement and rage contesting for first place in voice and expression.

“Mr. Chairman,” said Dummer.

“Mr. Dummer,” said Peter.

“I have the honor to nominate the Honorable Justice Gallagher, Mr. Peter Sweeney, and Mr. Caggs, to whom Mr. Moriarty has just paid so glowing a tribute, as delegates to the State convention.”

“Second the—­” shouted some one, but the rest was drowned by another storm which swept through the room.  Even above the tumult, Peter could hear Dennis challenging and beseeching Mr. Caggs to come “outside an’ settle it like gentlemen.”  Caggs, from a secure retreat behind Blunkers’s right arm, declined to let the siren’s song tempt him forth.  Finally Peter’s pounding brought a degree of quiet again.

“Misther Chairman,” said Dennis.

“Mr. Moriarty,” said Peter.

“Misther Chairman.  Oi’ll not take the valuable time av this meetin’ to speak av dirty, cowardly, black-hearted, treacherous snakes, wid souls blacker than the divil’s own—­”

“Order!” said Peter to the crowd.

“No,” continued Dennis, in answer to the audible remarks of the opposition.  “It’s no names Oi’m callin’.  If yez know such a beast, such a snake, fit it to him.  Oi’m mentionin’ no names.  As Oi was sayin’, Misther Chairman, Oi’ll not waste the time av this meetin’ wid discribin’ the conduct av a beast so vile that he must be the contempt av every honest man.  Who would have been driven out by St. Patrick, wid the rest av the reptiles, if he’d lived at that time.  Oi only rise to widdraw the name av Caggs from the list Oi nominated for delegates to the state convention, an’ to put in place av it that av a man who is as noble an’ true, as some are false an’ divilish.  That of Misther Peter Stirling, God bless him!”

Once more chaos came.  Peter pounded in vain.  Both sides were at fever heat.  Finally Peter rose.

“Gentlemen,” he shouted, in a voice that rang through the hall above even the tumult, “if this meeting does not come to order, I shall declare it adjourned.”

Instant quiet fell, for all had paused a moment to hear his words, and they concluded that he was in earnest.