--or to receive rebukes,
John Barclay. I've a means here of settling the problem which can give
cards and spades to all your projects of reform." And he tapped his
pocket, where the cloth bulged slightly, with a smile. The
Lieutenant-Governor made no attempt to interrupt him.

"What I did come to say," went on Cavendish, more steadily, "is that
your life and Mr. Rathbawne's are in danger. You're to be put out of the
way, both of you, before twelve to-night. McGrath's determined on it,
and there's no lack of men to carry out his orders. The strikers are
desperate. I overheard their talk, while--well, while I was getting
drunk! _What's that?_"

He stopped, with his hand to his ear. Some one was tapping at the
communicating door.

"Put up that flask!" said Barclay under his breath, adding aloud, as
Cavendish obeyed:

"Come in!"

The door swung open softly, and Governor Abbott, smiling and rubbing his
hands, appeared upon the threshold.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Barclay," he said. "I did not know you were
engaged. We have the pleasure of another visit from the Citizens'
Committee, and, by a singularly opportune coincidence, Mr. McGrath has
called at the same time. Can you spare us a few moments of your time?"

With a bow, and a glance at Cavendish, Barclay followed his superior
silently from the room.

In the Governor's office he found a dozen men, all standing. McGrath,
with his back to the others, was examining with an elaborate air of
interest a map of Alleghenia which hung upon the wall. Colonel
Broadcastle and his fellow-members of the Citizens' Committee, stood
close to, and facing, the Governor's desk. The air was electric with
suggestion of a crisis about to come.

When the Governor began to speak, it was in his habitually suave voice,
yet he was visibly nervous.

"Colonel Broadcastle has been good enough to observe," he said, "that if
I do not call out the militia within three hours, to protect the
interests of Mr. Peter Rathbawne, his committee will appeal for aid to
the federal government. Now--er--now, in my place, and in such a
situation, Mr. Barclay--er--what would you do?"

The Lieutenant-Governor's nerve, strained beyond endurance by the events
of the past twenty-four hours, snapped like a dry twig at the
contemptuous hypocrisy of the other's tone.

"_Do!_" he thundered--"_do?_ Why, as God is my witness, Elijah Abbott,
if I were in your place I would do what any honest man would do! I would
d