Mr. Hickman had sprung up. “Boy,” he commanded, “leave this room!”
“I will not leave the room!” shouted Samuel. “I demand a hearing from the vestry of this church. I have a right to a hearing! I have spoken the truth, and nothing but the truth!”
“What is the boy talking about?” demanded another of the vestrymen. This was Mr. Hamerton, a young lawyer, whose pleasant face Samuel had often noticed. And Samuel, seeing curiosity and interest in his look, sprang toward him.
“Don't let them turn me out without a hearing!” he cried.
“Boy!” exclaimed Mr. Hickman, “I command you to leave this room.”
“You corrupted the city council!” shrilled Samuel. “You bribed it to beat the water bill! It's true, and you know it's true, and you don't dare to deny it!”
Mr. Hickman was purple in the face with rage. “It's a preposterous lie!” he roared.
“I have talked with one of the men who got the money!” cried Samuel. “There was two thousand dollars paid to ten of the supervisors.”
“Who is this man?” cried the other furiously.
“I won't tell his name,” said Samuel. “He told me in confidence.”