"Put him out!" shouted one of the members.
"Down with all traitors!" cried another.
"Mr. President, this is a serious charge that you have made against our secretary," said an elderly miner. "You are quite sure that he is a traitor to the union?"
"Quite sure."
"Then what would you suggest?"
"As I have already said, I do not believe the boy is so much to blame, but the effect is the same as if he were a traitor in reality."
"What shall we do?"
"You might, if you saw fit, choose another secretary," purred the Russian.
"Yes; that is what should be done under the circumstances. But is such an act in order?"
"Oh, yes. Charges can be preferred against him. We have as yet no by-laws. Some one might make a motion to depose him, if you think best, embodying the charges in that motion; then we can proceed to choose another secretary," urged the chairman. "The matter is in your hands, gentlemen," he added, rubbing his palms together. "It is not for me to suggest."