The core of the hostile party consisted of those who followed the banner of Comrade Roodhouse, the ralliers to the ‘Tocsin.’  For them it was a great occasion.  The previous evening had seen a clamorous assembly in the room behind the Hoxton coffee-shop.  Comrade Roodhouse professed to have full details of the scandal which had just come to light.  According to him, there was no doubt whatever that Mutimer had known from the first the character of the bogus Company, and had wittingly used the money of the East-Enders to aid in floating a concern which would benefit himself and a few others.  Roodhouse disclosed the identity of Mr. Robert Delancey, and explained the relations existing between Rodman and Mutimer, ignoring the fact that a lawsuit had of late turned their friendship to mutual animosity.  It was an opportunity not to be missed for paying back the hard things Mutimer had constantly said of the ‘Tocsin’ party.  Comrade Roodhouse was busy in the crowd, sowing calumnies and fermenting wrath.  In the crowd were our old acquaintances Messrs. Cowes and Cullen, each haranguing as many as could be got to form a circle and listen, indulging themselves in measureless vituperation, crying shame on traitors to the noble cause.  Here, too, was Daniel Dabbs, mainly interested in the occasion as an admirable provocative of thirst.  He was much disposed to believe Mutimer guilty, but understood that it was none of his business to openly take part with either side.  He stood well on the limits of the throng; it was not impossible that the debate might end in the cracking of crowns, in which case Mr. Dabbs, as a respectable licensed victualler whose weekly profits had long since made him smile at the follies of his youth, would certainly incur no needless risk to his own valuable scalp.

The throng thickened; it was impossible that the speakers should be audible to the whole assembly.  Hastily it was decided to arrange two centres.  Whilst Mutimer was speaking at the lower end of the Green, Redgrave would lift up his voice in the opposite part, and make it understood that Mutimer would repeat his address there as soon as he had satisfied the hearers below.  The meeting was announced for three o’clock, but it was half an hour later before Mutimer stood up on the cart and extended his hand in appeal for silence.  It at first seemed as if he could not succeed in making his voice heard at all.  A cluster of Roodhouse’s followers, under the pretence of demanding quiet, made incessant tumult.  But ultimately the majority, those who were merely curious, and such of the angry East-Enders as really wanted to hear what Mutimer had to say for himself, imposed silence.  Richard began his speech.