"Yours, with many remembrances of the day,
"The Central Striking Committee,
By order of the Grand Commander of the Silver Legion of Wu."
Now I must confess that I read these words not without a shudder. The members of the Silver Legion, having been to war, had had long experience in crime and hence were renowned for the blackness of their deeds; and it seemed possible that they would make good their threat, and, by means of Mulflar, the violet ray, or some other nefarious device, would speedily "turn me over."
However, I had now gone too far to retreat; if I were to die, I would at least die fighting. After thinking the matter over for a few minutes, I came to the conclusion that, as I had little actual power, my only hope lay in a good old-fashioned "bluff."
And so, without further waste of time, I wrote the following message:
"To the Central Striking Committee:
"I thank you for your respected communication, and for your greetings, which I return herewith.
"I beg leave to inform you that I have no intention of withdrawing with my host of patriotic followers. I suggest, for my part, that you send in peace terms and settle the Ventilation Strike immediately.
"Should you not do so, I shall lose no time in giving a manifestation of my wrath.
"Yours, with the utmost courtesy,
"High Chief Commander Citizens' Anti-Strike League."