There was no demonstration, either by act or by word.
Lanigan pushed his captive to the rear of the platform and jolted him down into a chair behind which, on the wall, was draped a large United States flag. "Set there and see if you can't absorb a little of the white and blue into your system, along with the red that's already there," counseled the patriot. "You're going to hear some man-talk in a little while, and I hope 'twill do you good!"
A man in the audience rose to his feet when Lanigan marched back to the front of the rostrum.
"I am a voter here, yet I was born in another country. Will you allow me to ask a question, Commander Lanigan?"
"Sure! But let's start even on names. What's yours?"
"Otto Weisner!"
Lanigan made a grimace. "But even at that I'm going to keep my word and I call on all present to back me up."
"See here!" bawled a voice from a far corner. "Let that Hun wait! How about your word to us in another matter? Where's the mayor of Marion?"
"The mayor of Marion is on his way to this hall!" The soldier's face was set into a grim expression and deep ridges lined his jaws. "I gave you all once to-night his word to me that he'd stand up for us on Capitol Hill, whatever it is they're trying to put over. I got the hoot from you when I said it. You wouldn't take my word and I just told him so. Now he's coming down here for himself! I say it. If some gent would like to hoot another hoot on that subject will he kindly step up here and hoot?" He doubled his fists.
There was no indication that anybody wanted to accept the invitation.