Lanigan had just laid down a general rule of diplomatic conduct for the evening, but he made a prompt exception. He leaped on the man, struggled with him for a moment, and yanked off a red necktie, taking with it the man's collar and a part of his shirt, "But some stuff that they're full of can't be smoothed out--it's got to be whaled out!" panted Lanigan. He did not release his captive. "The nerve o' ye, parading your red wattles on a night like this, ye Tom Gobbler of a Bullshevist!" "I have the right to pick the color of my own necktie!" snarled the man. "Not for the reason why you picked it! Not to wear it up into that hall, my bucko boy!" When the man expostulated with oaths, Lanigan tripped him and held him on the sidewalk. "Hush your yawp! You can't fool me about your taste in ties! I know what's behind that color like I'd know what's behind an Orangeman's yellow! I don't need to wait for him to hooray for the battle o' the Boyne ere I get my brick ready! Peter, frisk his pockets!" Demeter obeyed. A crowd was collecting. Through the press rushed a young man. "Need help, Commander?" "Only keep your eye peeled to see that another Bullshevist don't sneak up and kick me from behind, after the like o' the breed!" Demeter's exploration produced a bulldog revolver, a slungshot, a packet of pamphlets, and several small red flags. "What's your name?" demanded the commander. "No business of yours!" Lanigan kneeled on the captive and roweled cruel thumbs into the man's neck. "Out with it before I dig deeper for it." "Nicolai Krylovensky!" "I knew it must be bad, but I didn't think it was as bad as that! I don't blame ye for trying to keep it mum! And ye look as though it tasted bitter coming up. I'll not poison me own mouth." He stood up and yanked the man to his feet. "So I'll call ye Bill the Bomber! Where do ye work, or don't ye work?" "Conawin!" "I thought so! One of that bunch down there that's trying to undermine the best government on the face of the earth. Come along! I've got a bit o' business on hand right now and I need you in it." Then he turned, pushing the man ahead of him. Lanigan became aware that the young fellow who had proffered aid was muttering in a derogatory fashion. "What's on your mind, Jeff?" demanded the commander, recognizing a member of the post. "Nothing!" "I'm in an inquiring turn o' mind right now," rasped Lanigan. "And ye have just seen me go after information. I heard ye damning something. Ye'd best make me understand that you wasn't damning _me_!" "I sure wasn't, sir! But as for this government being the best, I want to say--" Lanigan's yelp broke in like an explosion. "Hold this Bullshevist, Peter! I want both hands free!" "I wasn't saying anything against our government, Commander Lanigan! Not a word!" wailed the overseas man. "So help me!"