"Oh, we'll have both, don't worry," Charles Doane answered them. "Two vessels in the harbor have contributed cannon; we'll mount them on the foreparts of wagons. That's where Olney and his men will come in. And we've splendid riders, though the troops are still to be rounded into shape." He passed on hurriedly to execute some commission. "There's a splendid fellow," Olney said. "He's to be grand marshal of our forces." He took Benito and Adrian by the arm and led them toward a group of waiting men. "We must get our battery organized." A messenger strode hastily across the room seeking Coleman, who conferred with Doane in a distant corner. "The Governor's outside," he whispered as he passed. * * * * * Coleman, entering the ante-room in answer to a summons, found Governor Johnson; his brother; W. K. Garrison and William Sherman, head of the somewhat depleted militia. A subtle change was noticeable in Johnson's manner. He spoke with brusque official authority, as if no previous interview had taken place: "Mr. Coleman, what are you and your committee plotting? Can't this trouble be adjusted here and now?" Coleman accepted the situation. He saw that opposition forces had been active. "We are tired of outlawry and assassination, Governor," he answered. "We've determined to endure them no longer. Street shooting's got to stop!" "I agree with you," the Governor admitted. "I've come down from Sacramento to aid. But this is a matter for the courts, and not for you to adjust. Our judges are honest. You can't impugn a man like Norton." He lowered his voice. "I'll see that Norton tries the case; that a grand jury indicts Casey. I'll do everything I can to force a trial, a conviction--and a speedy execution.... I've no right to make such promises. But I'll do it--to save this city the disgrace of a mob." Coleman raised his head. "This is no mob. You know it, Governor," he answered. "We've no faith in Sheriff Scannell nor his juries." He turned to Sherman. "This committee is a deliberative body, sir; regularly organized with officers and men, an executive council. The best men in the city are its members...." "And you are its Czar," remarked Garrison, tauntingly. "I am chairman by their choice--not mine," said Coleman, tartly. "To show you that I make no personal decisions, I will call other members of the council." He bowed and withdrew, returning in a few moments with the brothers Arrington, Thomas Smiley, Seymour and Truitt. The two sides went over the ground a second time. Smiley insisted that Casey be delivered to the Vigilantes. Johnson suggested that the committee continue its labors, but permit the court to try Casey, even in the event of King's death. An impasse loomed. Finally came Coleman's ultimatum: "If Sheriff Scannell will permit ten of our members to join the guard over Casey, this committee will agree to make no overt move--until our guards are withdrawn and you are notified."