"Not if I know it," interrupted a stalwart Kentuckian, as he rose to his
feet and strode down the steps to the patio. "For," he added, placing
his back against the gateway, "I'll shoot the first coward that backs
out now."

A roar of laughter and approval followed, but was silenced again by the
quiet, unimpassioned voice of the stranger. "If, on the other hand," he
went on calmly, "you all feel that this news is the fitting culmination
and consecration of the hopes, wishes, and plans of this meeting, you
will assert it again, over your own signatures, to Colonel Starbottle at
this table."

When the Kentuckian had risen, Clarence had started from his
concealment; when he now saw the eager figures pressing forward to the
table he hesitated no longer. Slipping along the passage, he reached
the staircase which led to the corridor in the rear of the balcony.
Descending this rapidly, he not only came upon the backs of the excited
crowd around the table, but even elbowed one of the conspirators aside
without being noticed. His wife, who had risen from her chair at the
end of the balcony, was already moving towards the table. With a quick
movement he seized her wrist, and threw her back in the chair again.
A cry broke from her lips as she recognized him, but still holding her
wrist, he stepped quickly between her and the astonished crowd. There
was a moment of silence, then the cry of "Spy!" and "Seize him!" rose
quickly, but above all the voice and figure of the Missourian was heard
commanding them to stand back. Turning to Clarence, he said quietly,--

"I should know your face, sir. Who are you?"