"The police and the militia have been summoned; but it will be hours before they arrive."
"If there was some one here who could pacify the mob until the troops come; there is no one they will heed."
"Perhaps I can pacify them," suggests Sister Martha.
"You can try," says the Superintendent, scrutinizing her closely. "You are known as the friend of the miners; they may respect your wishes."
Inwardly he doubts her ability to check the mob; he feels, even, that she may meet with physical violence at their hands. Yet his nature is so small that he is eager to sacrifice her if it will keep the miners at bay for an hour.
"I shall try to keep them in the town," Sister Martha assures him as she departs. On reaching the centre of the town Sister Martha meets some of the miner folk. A woman comes up to her and whispers:
"They have sent for the police. The work will be done before they get here."
"What work?"
"Why, we are going to give Metz a decent funeral. He died for us. He said in a letter,—died to set us free from Purdy."
"When are you going to demand the body?"