Together they crossed the river to the less frequented part of town and knocked at the door of a large, unlighted warehouse, flanked by a high board fence.  The building faced the street, but was enclosed on the other three sides by this ten-foot wall, inside of which were stored large quantities of coal and lumber.  After some delay they were admitted, and, passing down through the dim-lit, high-banked lanes of merchandise, came to the rear room, where they were admitted again.  This compartment had been fitted up for the warm storage of perishable goods during the cold weather, and, being without windows, made an ideal place for clandestine gatherings.

Glenister was astonished to find every man of the organization present, including Dextry, whom he supposed to have gone home an hour since.  Evidently a discussion had been in progress, for a chairman was presiding, and the boxes, kegs, and bales of goods had been shoved back against the walls for seats.  On these were ranged the threescore men of the “Stranglers,” their serious faces lighted imperfectly by scattered lanterns.  A certain constraint seized them upon Glenister’s entrance; the chairman was embarrassed.  It was but momentary, however.  Glenister himself felt that tragedy was in the air, for it showed in the men’s attitudes and spoke eloquently from their strained faces.  He was about to question the man next to him when the presiding officer continued: 

“We will assemble here quietly with our arms at one o’clock.  And let me caution you again not to talk or do anything to scare the birds away.”

Glenister arose.  “I came late, Mr. Chairman, so I missed hearing your plan.  I gather that you’re out for business, however, and I want to be in it.  May I ask what is on foot?”

“Certainly.  Things have reached such a pass that moderate means are useless.  We have decided to act, and act quickly.  We have exhausted every legal resource and now we’re going to stamp out this gang of robbers in our own way.  We will get together in an hour, divide into three groups of twenty men, each with a leader, then go to the houses of McNamara, Stillman, and Voorhees, take them prisoners, and—­” He waved his hand in a large gesture.

Glenister made no answer for a moment, while the crowd watched him intently.

“You have discussed this fully?” he asked.

“We have.  It has been voted on, and we’re unanimous.”

“My friends, when I stepped into this room just now I felt that I wasn’t wanted.  Why, I don’t know, because I have had more to do with organizing this movement than any of you, and because I have suffered just as much as the rest.  I want to know if I was omitted from this meeting intentionally.”

“This is an embarrassing position to put me in,” said the chairman, gravely.  “But I shall answer as spokesman for these men if they wish.”

“Yes.  Go ahead,” said those around the room.