"Make it a million," said Kendrick. "Nelson here is going to stand responsible for five hundred thousand, and your people should stand for more." "Well, if you think the emergency calls for it, you can count on a million," said Partridge. One after another the men named the amounts for which they would stand responsible, and Wharton Kendrick jotted down the figures in his memorandum-book. "Please make out your checks, gentlemen," he said at last. "Here is ten million dollars pledged to the committee." "That will be enough," said Coleman with decision. "I think that our arrangements cover every point where there can be a break in the markets." "Unless it’s M. & N., and the bank we mentioned," said Nelson. "Oh, yes," said Kendrick; "our arrangements cover them, too. We’ve got to back them up till this storm is over. They are bound to go some day, but if they go now there will be a smash all along the line. Partridge will see to getting the best collateral they have, and we’ll feed them just enough to keep their doors open." "They will draw pretty heavily on the pool if disorder actually starts," said another. "Oh," said Partridge, "we have a very comfortable reserve, and it isn’t likely that there will be an actual outbreak." "Well, we have prepared for every emergency," said a stout and sleepy-looking man in the corner; "and as we’re likely to have a hard day of it to-morrow, I move we get home and to bed. It’s three minutes of midnight, now." The suggestion appeared to be approved, for everybody rose with the breaking-up atmosphere that ends a gathering. "One moment," said Coleman, raising his hand. "There is one thing we have neglected to discuss. It is not impossible that the constituted authorities will prove unable to handle the disorderly elements. In case of need, how many of you gentlemen are ready to give your services to the city to preserve order?" There was a silence for a moment. Then one said: "Pshaw, Coleman! This isn’t fifty-six! We’re twenty years older than we were then, and the police and the militia can handle those fellows if they make any trouble." "I believe," said Coleman with deliberate emphasis, "that we are standing on the crust of a volcano. We should be prepared to give our money and our personal services to the public safety if the need comes." "There’s no danger," growled the sleepy man, "so what’s the use of worrying about it? Let’s go home." "Oh," said Kendrick, "we’ll all stand in if there’s trouble, of course." "We’ll leave Coleman on guard," said another with a facetious nod. "We’ll all turn out when he rings the bell." In the bustle of guests departing, Coleman took me by the arm and led me to a corner. "Do you know where these guns are stored?" he asked. I balanced my obligations to Clark against the obvious fact that the publicity given to the armament had relieved him from chance of suspicion, and replied: