“But it must go on!” replied the boy. “Let me go! Take your hands off me!” And he raised his voice in a wild shriek. “There are thieves in the church of Christ!” In the scuffle the dodgers were scattered on the ground; and Mr. Hamerton stooped to pick them up. Samuel seized what he could and darted to the side door again, where there were more people eager to take them. And so he got rid of the last he had. And for the benefit of those whom he still saw emerging, he raised his hands and shouted: “There are men in the vestry of this church who have bribed the city council of Lockmanville! I mean to expose them in a meeting across the street on Wednesday night!” And then he turned, and dodging an outraged church member who sought to lay hold of him, he sped like a deer down the street. He had made his appeal to the congregation! CHAPTER XXVIII Samuel rushed home, breathless, to tell Sophie; and pretty soon came the Bremers, who had been watching the scene from a distance. And the thrilling tale had to be told all over to them. Then Johann made a novel announcement. “For that meeting,” he said, “you must get a permit.” “A permit!” exclaimed Samuel. “From whom?” “From the police,” replied the other. “You must haf it for all street meetings.” “And where do I get it?” “At the station house, I think.” Samuel did not much fancy a visit to the station house, which he knew far too well already; but he would have gone into a den of lions for the sake of his cause. So, bright and early the next morning, he set out. With Mrs. Stedman's help he had persuaded Sophie that she must return to the Wygants, and so he walked part of the way with her. There was a new sergeant at the desk, an Irishman. “Please, sir,” said the boy, “is this where I get a permit?” “For what?” asked the other. “To hold a meeting on the street, sir.” “What sort of a meeting?” “Why--I've just got something to say to the people, sir.” “Something to say to the people!” echoed the other; and then, suddenly, “What's your name?” “Samuel Prescott, sir.” And the sergeant's eyes opened wide. “Oh!” he said. “You're that fellow!” “What did you say?” asked Samuel. “The chief wants to see you,” replied the other. And so Samuel was escorted into the private room, where Chief McCullagh, red-faced and burly, sat at his desk. When he saw Samuel he bounded to his feet. “So here you are!” he cried. To the sergeant he said, “Leave us alone.” And when the man had shut the door, he strode toward Samuel, and thrust a finger into his face. “Young fellow,” he cried, “you promised me you would get out of this town!” “No!” exclaimed the boy. “What?” roared the other. “No, sir! It was Charlie Swift promised you that!” “And what did you promise?” “I promised I wouldn't tell anyone about--about Master Albert, sir. And I haven't done it.” “I told Charlie Swift to take you out of town. And why didn't you go?”