He faced the other way as if in disgust at the incident, and then he faced back again to say to the amazed and amused listeners: “I want to give notice now that when this thing is all over, no matter which way it goes, I shall take measures to rid the armory and the company of this pestiferous, boot-licking dog-robber.” And General Chick replied gamely: “Jest try it on! I come into this comp’ny long before you did, and I’ll be in it with a major-gen’al’s commission long after you’ve been invited to git out.” The crowd laughed, and the incident was closed, but Barriscale’s confident boast that he would be elected by a majority of seven votes had sunk deep into Chick’s heart, and he felt that something must be done immediately to try to save the day. CHAPTER XI General Chick did not wait long at the armory after his verbal encounter with Sergeant Barriscale. He knew that he could accomplish nothing by remaining there, and he had a feeling that if he could only see McCormack and talk the situation over with him some plan might be evolved by which threatened defeat would be averted. He shuffled across the armory floor and out through the big front door under the tower into the street. He wondered whether Ben Barriscale really knew what he was talking about when he claimed to have a majority of seven votes, or whether his declaration was simply a bluff made for the effect it might have on his listeners. But he had seemed so confident; his campaign had been so thorough and systematic, that now, at the close of it, he was more than likely to be correct in his estimate of the result. It was a disheartening conclusion to reach, but it was a conclusion that could not well be avoided. At any rate there was but one thing to do now, and that was to see Sergeant McCormack, tell him of his rival’s boast, and consider what, if anything, could be done. He knew where McCormack lived, and he knew what route to take to get there. It was already after nine o’clock, and there was no time to lose. It was a splendid, moonlight August night and there were many people in the streets. On the bridge that crossed the river a dozen loiterers stood, singly and in pairs, watching the shimmer of moonlight on the passing waters. One of them spoke to Chick as he hurried by, but the boy did not stop to respond; he gave a quick word of greeting and moved rapidly on. With every step that he took he grew more and more impressed with the importance of his errand, and with the necessity of haste in delivering it. He felt that the sooner he could reach McCormack the greater would be the possibility of averting the threatened disaster. In front of the Fairweather Club a man stood in evening clothes, anxiously scanning the faces of those who passed by. When he saw Chick coming a look of relief spread over his countenance.