"We'll see what they'll do after the showdown, sir! And you can't make much of a showdown in the dark."
He left General Totten on the stairs, leaped down the remaining steps, and ran to a group of watchmen and night employees of the State House who were bulwarking the soldiers.
"I'm beginning to see that it's some advantage, after all, to be the mayor of this city," Stewart informed himself. One of Marion's aldermen was chief electrician of the Capitol building and was in the group, very much on duty on a night like that. "Torrey has always backed me in the city government meetings, at any rate!"
The alderman came out of the ranks, obeying the mayor's gesture.
"Alderman, I'm in the minority here, right now, but I hope you're going to vote with me for more light on the subject."
Torrey did not understand what this quick shift in all plans signified, and said so, showing deference to the mayor at the same time.
"If we've got to fight that gang we need these soldiers, Mayor Morrison!"
"Our kind of men, Alderman, fight best in the light; the cowards like the dark so that they can get in their dirty work. Do you get me? Yes! Thanks! Excuse me for hurrying you. But get to that switchboard! We need quick action. You and I represent the city of Marion right now. Must keep her name clean! I'll explain later. But give 'er the juice! Jam on every switch. Dome to cellar! Lots of it! Put their night-beetle eyes out with it."
He was hustling along with Torrey toward the electrician's room. He was clapping his hand on the alderman's shoulder.
"I'm going outside there, Torrey! Touch up the old dome and give me all the front lights. If the bricks begin to whiz I want to see who's throwing 'em!"