"That you hoist the Stars and Stripes on your house."

"I won't do it!" roared the victim, as he slammed the door in the faces of
the committee.

"That is insolence," said Captain Barney, quietly. "We will go in."

The captain led the way; but the door had been locked upon them. The
shoulders of three stout men pressed against it, and the bolt yielded.

"What do you mean, you villains?" thundered the squire, as he confronted
the committee in the entry.

"You were so impolite as to close the door in our faces before we had
finished our story," replied the immovable old sea captain.

"How dare you break in my door?" growled the squire.

"We shall do worse than that, squire, if you don't treat us respectfully."

"A man's house is his castle," added the squire, a little more moderately.

"That's very good law, but there isn't a house in Pinchbrook that is big
enough or strong enough to shield a traitor from the indignation of his
fellow-citizens. We do not purpose to harm you or your property, if you
behave like a reasonable man."

"You shall suffer for this outrage," gasped the squire, whose rage was
increased by the cool and civil manner of Captain Barney.