"The member is unduly excited," replied the chairman, in his most unctuous tones. "It is not easy to know what to do in the position which has suddenly been forced upon me--a condition without precedent, so far as I know, in the whole country. If I have failed in my duty, I ask your pardon; but with so many local issues--so many details at loose ends in the mayor's office--I beg your pardon, gentlemen, for mentioning this." "Question, question," called a voice with a strong accent from the back row. "Question--I call for the question," echoed another. The chairman hastened to put the motion and the expression of sympathy and co-operation with the citizens' committee was unanimous. "The motion seems to prevail--the motion prevails. The secretary is instructed to communicate this vote at once," added the chairman. "And now I must add, by the force of stringent necessity which I find in my endeavor to carry on the work of our mayor," said the chairman, "that it became necessary for us to transact a little business here tonight. Exigencies are arising which make it important to have some action taken on the sub-letting of contracts. Will some member move that the present incumbent be given discretionary power to act in these matters?" "No, no," shouted Turner, and was echoed by two or three others. But Blatchley rose and moved that the chairman of the board of aldermen be allowed to go ahead with all the city's business during the indefinite absence of the mayor, using his discretion therein. The motion was seconded by several others and when Mr. Mason arose, there was a chorus of "Question, question," from the opposite faction. He would not give way, however, and stood his ground for some moments, arguing for fair play, and finally offering a substitute motion, asking that no contracts be given out and only routine business be transacted while the present crisis was on; but he might as well have talked to the vagrant wind. Not over half a dozen men present were in entire sympathy with him, and they were helpless. It soon became evident that the others had been primed for this meeting--as indeed was the case, every doubtful one having been called to a private confab with the acting mayor, and promised something for good behavior. "Isn't there an ordinance that prevents our taking any action whatever, until the mayor has been absent a fortnight?" finally asked Mason. "That ordinance was changed two years ago," replied the chairman. "The time is now limited to one week." "And you have waited just that," replied Mr. Mason, sitting down. He saw it was impossible to struggle any longer.