"Don't you think we had better have a preliminary muster?" asked George.
"Yes. It would serve a double purpose: give an opportunity to our men to learn the plans; and the massing of so many upon the Dome would doubtless lead to inquiries by the police, and probably impress them with our display of force. It is hardly possible they will make arrests, and they can hardly shoot unarmed men."
"It won't do 'em any harm to show we look like meaning business. Why not have the boys bring their arms?" asked Long Shorty.
"I'd say nothing about arms," Hugh counselled. "Let each man suit himself; there'll be enough guns in the crowd to guard against accidents."
"And what are we to do after our display of force?" asked Long Shorty.
"Send a letter to the Barracks, calling on the officer commanding to surrender," answered John Berwick.
"If he does not surrender? Suppose he tells you to go to the devil?"
"We'll give him till Saturday to consider it."
"And then, if he says no?"
"He won't say no: he is a humane man, and must know we are in the right. He must also be aware that we can annihilate him."