"I can't do anything," he said helplessly. "They ain't done nawthin'
yet, an' I don't know-"
"Oh, git out! They're goin' up there to whale Jim, an' you know it.
If you don't stop 'em, I'll telephone f'r the sheriff, and have you
arrested with 'em."
Under this pressure, the constable ran along after the crowd, in an
attempt to stop it. He reached them as they stood about the little
porch of the house, packed closely around Barney and Sam, who
said nothing, but followed Barney like his shadow. If the sun had
been shining, it might not have happened as it did; but there was a
semi-obscurity, a weird half-light shed by the thick sky and falling
snow, which somehow encouraged the enraged ruffians, who
pounded on the door just as the pleading voice of the constable
was heard.
"Hold on, gentlemen! This is ag'inst the law
"Law to -!" said someone. "This is a case f'r something besides
law."
"Open up there!" roared the raucous voice of Barney Mace as he
pounded at the door fiercely.
The door opened, and the wife appeared, one child in her arms, the
other at her side.
"What do you want?"
"Where's that banker? Tell the thief to come out here! We want to
talk with him.
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