Page:Lynch Williams--The girl and the game.djvu/137

 changing his tone to one of command, and raising his hand impressively, he said: "Now, boys, this thing has got to stop right here—right now!"

Some one in the rear whispered: "Are we to 'use force' now?"

"No; Reddy says Jeremiah desires to conciliate us, if possible."

The pall-bearers were edging forward little by little, and Jeremiah was walking backward before them.

"Boys, what do you propose to do with that thing?" he asked temporizingly.

No answer.

"Are you going to return it to its proper and lawful resting-place?"

Still no answer. Jeremiah was walking backward a little faster now.

"I know what you propose to do. I am acquainted with your whole nefarious plot. But you shall not succeed!"

("He's gradually getting worked up," the crowd whispered.)

The sullen, silent pall-bearers looked grim and defiant. And they kept marching on.