“We don’t question your loyalty, Mr. Glenister, but we didn’t ask you to this meeting because we know your attitude—­perhaps I’d better say sentiment—­regarding Judge Stillman’s niece—­er—­ family.  It has come to us from various sources that you have been affected to the prejudice of your own and your partner’s interest.  Now, there isn’t going to be any sentiment in the affairs of the Vigilantes.  We are going to do justice, and we thought the simplest way was to ignore you in this matter and spare all discussion and hard feeling in every quarter.”

“It’s a lie!” shouted the young man, hoarsely.  “A damned lie!  You wouldn’t let me in for fear I’d kick, eh?  Well, you were right.  I will kick.  You’ve hinted about my feelings for Miss Chester.  Let me tell you that she is engaged to marry McNamara, and that she’s nothing to me.  Now, then, let me tell you, further, that you won’t break into her house and hang her uncle, even if he is a reprobate.  No, sir!  This isn’t the time for violence of that sort--we’ll win without it.  If we can’t, let’s fight like men, and not hunt in a pack like wolves.  If you want to do something, put us back on our mines and help us hold them, but, for God’s sake, don’t descend to assassination and the tactics of the Mafia!”

“We knew you would make that kind of a talk,” said the speaker, while the rest murmured grudgingly.  One of them spoke up.

“We’ve talked this over in cold blood, Glenister, and it’s a question of their lives or our liberty.  The law don’t enter into it.”

“That’s right,” echoed another at his elbow.  “We can’t seize the claims, because McNamara’s got soldiers to back him up.  They’d shoot us down.  You ought to be the last one to object.”

He saw that dispute was futile.  Determination was stamped on their faces too plainly for mistake, and his argument had no more effect on them than had the pale rays of the lantern beside him, yet he continued: 

“I don’t deny that McNamara deserves lynching, but Stillman doesn’t.  He’s a weak old man”—­some one laughed derisively—­“and there’s a woman in the house.  He’s all she has in the world to depend upon, and you would have to kill her to get at him.  If you must follow this course, take the others, but leave him alone.”

They only shook their heads, while several pushed by him even as he spoke.  “We’re going to distribute our favors equal,” said a man as he left.  They were actuated by what they called justice, and he could not sway them.  The life and welfare of the North were in their hands, as they thought, and there was not one to hesitate.  Glenister implored the chairman, but the man answered him: 

“It’s too late for further discussion, and let me remind you of your promise.  You’re bound by every obligation that exists for an honorable man—­”

“Oh, don’t think that I’ll give the snap away!” said the other; “but I warn you again not to enter Stillman’s house.”