ways told you Arnold was no good," sounded a great voice. "He'd
sell us to the devil if he could get paid for it. I suppose he'll go to
New York sure."

"Let him. Wish he was out of here."

"Say!" one asked Stephen rather abruptly. "How did you get all this
straight?"

"I interested myself the moment the scheme took root. I assured myself
that all was not as it should be and I took pains to verify my
suspicions," was the grave reply.

"I know, but how did ye get 'em?"

"By following every move this Anderson made. I tracked him even to Mount
Pleasant."

"And got beforehand with Arnold?"

"I overheard the major portion of the conversation."

"Pardon me," asked another individual, neater in appearance than the
majority, and evidently of more education, "but have I not seen you
before?"

"Perhaps you have," laughed Stephen.

"Where?"

"I could not begin to imagine."

"Where do you live? In town?"

"For the present, yes."

"Who are you?"

"Can't you see? Just one of you?"

"Never saw you in those clothes before. If I am not greatly mistaken you
are the one who came to the Coffee House one day with Matt. Allison."

"Yes," admitted Stephen, "I am the same."

"How did you come by those clothes?"

"Borrowed them."

"In disguise, eh?"

"It was necessary to simulate a disguise. Otherwise I could never have
gained admission here. I learned that Jim Cadwalader had been impressed
into the company and I arranged to come in his place."

"Oh!"

"You took a mighty big risk."

"It was required. But I knew that there was but one way of playing this
game and that was to defeat them openly by their own tactics. I had to
depend, of course, upon the temper of the proposed members. All might be
lost or won at one throw of the dice. I worded my remarks to that
effect, and I won."

"What did you say your name was?"

"I did not say what it was," Stephen exchanged in good-natured repartee,
"but since you ask, it is Meagher."

"Captain Meagher?"

Stephen smiled.

It must have been fully half-past nine when the meeting broke up; and
that was at the departure of Stephen. He had lingered long enough to
assure himself that the company was of a mind far different from that
which had engaged them upon their arrival. They were now to go forth
wiser men. But they knew that the people of the city could be moved
quickly to indignation--as quickly, indeed, as they could be moved to
favor. And how were they to explai