The spy's eyes wavered, and then, held by Grant's glance, came back:
"Yes."
"Why?"
The spy shrugged his shoulders. "He had orders to sink the ship."
"From whom?"
"I don't know. He wanted them to think the 'longshoremen did it."
"And bring about a strike? Very simple. Now we'll go over to the labor meeting and you can tell the people you see there this same little story."
The spy with a sudden jerk tried to free himself, but Muldoon's burly fist clenched on his shoulder.
The 'longshoremen's meeting had reached its climax, and now a quiet had fallen. Human nature cannot keep itself at a high pitch of excitement indefinitely. The reaction had come. Silence reigned as Grant and his companions, and the two policemen, leading the ashy-faced prisoner, entered the hall. The voice of the clerk was raised as they took places against the back wall of the room.
"And now that the speeches have been finished, it is moved and seconded that a vote shall be taken to determine whether a general strike be called by the 'longshoreman against the shipowners of——"