When she rose, the poker fell from her fingers and struck the floor with
a dull thud. Standing firmly, with one foot advanced, she continued:
"Yes, dear boys, I'm thankful to you, but my name needs no defence."

A hush followed her words, then a cheer broke involuntarily from her
hearers. The Myers brothers looked at each other furtively, and a smile
appeared on Levi's face, who was uninjured. Matthi, whose mouth was
bleeding, betrayed by the expression of his eyes his pride in the sister
for whom he had fought. Some of the spectators stepped forward to raise
Cassi, but Lizzi intercepted them. Then pointing to her brother, she
regally commanded the Meyers boys.

"You killed him; now take him to his old mother."

Murder! a shiver ran through the crowd.

The Myers brothers looked at the men around them. A living wall
encompassed them, which at a woman's bidding would topple and crush
them. They could not pierce it. Lizzi stamped her foot and startled them
into action.

They lifted Cassi gently. Lizzi pointed to the door. The crowd fell
back. Levi and Matthi led the way. Next them came Thomas and Henry with
Cassi's limp form. Lizzi followed, and the crowd escorted them. At the
edge of the assemblage were boys whose shrill voices broke the silence.
Vengeance was held in abeyance by a woman's whim; and Thomas and Henry
Myers walked unsteadily, fearful that, Herodias-like, she would have
their heads.

Before they were half-way to the Block the constable appeared, and to
the stern assemblage added the subtle, intangible when not provoked, but
when angered terrible, presence of the law.

Nearer to the Block the crowd approached. Doors and windows were thrown
open hastily, and broad beams of light fell across the street, while
curious persons thrust out their heads to learn the cause of the unusual
procession marching so grimly over the bands of light and darkness.

Nearer still to the Block the column came. Soon the heavy footsteps on
the porch would strike terror to the aged mother's heart, already half
broken by doubt. Soon to the feet of that doubting mother would be borne
the senseless form of her youngest son, stricken down in defence of his
sister's fair name. Halt, pressing crowd eager to witness a heart-break.

But the Queen had commanded, and there was no alternative.

There was a momentary halt at the door as if for orders, every man
acting as if under a spell which she alone could break. But she could