"One moment," said Coleman, raising his hand. "There is one thing we have neglected to discuss. It is not impossible that the constituted authorities will prove unable to handle the disorderly elements. In case of need, how many of you gentlemen are ready to give your services to the city to preserve order?"
There was a silence for a moment. Then one said:
"Pshaw, Coleman! This isn't fifty-six! We're twenty years older than we were then, and the police and the militia can handle those fellows if they make any trouble."
"I believe," said Coleman with deliberate emphasis, "that we are standing on the crust of a volcano. We should be prepared to give our money and our personal services to the public safety if the need comes."
"There's no danger," growled the sleepy man, "so what's the use of worrying about it? Let's go home."
"Oh," said Kendrick, "we'll all stand in if there's trouble, of course."
"We'll leave Coleman on guard," said another with a facetious nod. "We'll all turn out when he rings the bell."
In the bustle of guests departing, Coleman took me by the arm and led me to a corner.
"Do you know where these guns are stored?" he asked.
I balanced my obligations to Clark against the obvious fact that the publicity given to the armament had relieved him from chance of suspicion, and replied: