“Don't try to make any speech.” “Why not?” “Because you ain't a-going to be let to make it, Sammy.” “But how can they stop me?” “I dunno, Sammy. But they ain't a-going to let you.” There was a pause. “It's a crazy thing you're tryin' to do,” said the other. “And take my word for it--somethin' will happen to you if you go on.” “What will happen?” “I dunno, my boy--maybe you'll fall into the river.” “Fall into the river!” “Yes; or else run your head into a slungshot some night, in a dark alley. I can't tell you what--only you won't make the speech.” Samuel was dumfounded. “You can't mean such things!” he gasped. “Sure I mean them,” was the reply. “Why not?” Samuel did not respond. “I don't know why you're tryin' to do this thing,” went on the other, “nor who's backing you. But from what I can make out, you've got the goods, and you've got them on most everybody in the town. You've got Slattery, and you've got Pat McCullagh, and you've got the machine. You've got Wygant and Hickman--you've even got something on Bertie Lockman, haven't you?” “I suppose I have,” said Samuel. “But I'm not going to tell that.” “Well, they don't know what you're going to tell, and they won't take any chances. They won't let you tell anything.” “But can such things be done?” panted the boy. “They're done all the time,” said the other. “Why, see--it stands to reason. Wouldn't folks be finding out things like this, and wouldn't they be tellin' them?” “To be sure,” said Samuel. “That's what puzzled me.” “Well,” said the bartender, “they ain't let to. Don't you see?” “I see,” whispered the boy. “There's a crowd that runs this town, Sammy; and they mean to go on runnin' it. And don't you think they can't find ways of shuttin' up a kid like you!” “But Mr. Finnegan, it would be murder!” “Well, they wouldn't have to do it themselves, would they? When Henry Hickman wants a chicken for dinner, he don't have to wring its neck with his own hands.” Samuel could find nothing to reply to that. He sat dumb with horror. “You see,” continued Finnegan after a bit, “I know about this game, and I'm givin' you a friendly word. What the hell does a kid like you want to be reformin' things for anyway?” “What else can I do?” asked Samuel. To which the other answered, “Do? Get yourself a decent job, and find some girl you like and settle down. You'll never know what there is in life, Sammy, till you've got a baby.” But Samuel only shook his head. The plan did not appeal to him. “I'll try to keep out of trouble,” he said, “but I MUST make that speech!” So Finnegan went out, shaking his head and grumbling to himself. And Samuel hurried off to see his lawyer friend again. The result of the visit was that Everley exacted from him a solemn promise that he would not go out of the house after dark.