McQuirk once more arose. “Let’s keep things moving,” said he. “There has been no protest against anyone sitting in the convention, with the exception of Mr. Daily and Mr. Levitsky. We will now look into their cases.” “I wouldn’t,” sneered McGonagle, “take too much work on me shoulders, if I was youse. I’d let the chairman do a little.” “Shut up.” “Fire him out!” “I’d like,” growled Goose, “to see any of youse try to fire me out.” “Cheese it; sit down, and keep yer shirt on!” warned Larry, leaning forward, “if youse make trouble now, I’ll put a muzzle on ye.” Johnnie Kerrigan was entrusted with the business of protesting against the seating of Levitsky and Daily; but Haley, as was expected, carried matters with a high hand, and overruled him at all points. “All right,” said Kerrigan, “you can let ’em vote if you want to, and I know you want to; you can use ’em in your business.” The Kellyites were triumphant and voiced it until the hall was filled with their clamour. “We’ve got ’em burnt to the ground!” declared Martin Kelly. “Why, the mugs capped the game for us! They must be rank suckers.” The roll was called amid much tumult; then Chairman Haley hammered with his gavel for order; when something like silence had been obtained, he said: “Gentlemen, our object is to get done with the business in hand as soon as we can. We will, therefore, pass over all unnecessary forms and go into the matter of nominating our candidate at once.” Mr. Haley had carefully rehearsed this little speech during those moments when there was nothing doing behind the bar over which he presided, and was much pleased with the applause which it provoked. He added: “The chair recognizes Mr. Shulze.” Mr. Shulze arose amid much disorder on the part of the insurgents. By virtue of his ability to deliver a certain amount of goods each election Mr. Shulze held a position in the post-office; he had a voice like a megaphone, and a fixed set of gestures that resembled the jerkings of an automatic doll. In tones that shook the windows he placed the elder Kelly in nomination, and sat down amid a whirlwind of cheers. Johnnie Kerrigan got up to name McGlory; he had not spoken a dozen words before the contractor and his son Jerry, rushed into the hall and beckoned the speaker and Larry into an anteroom. The old man was pale and agitated; Jerry acted like a man dazed. “What’s the graft?” asked Larry. “He’s quit at the post!” exclaimed Jerry. “He’s laid down like a dub.” “No!” cried the two young men, aghast. “I’m tellin’ youse, ain’t I. From a kid up,” added Jerry, bitterly, “I t’ought the old gent was an ace, but now I find he’s on’y a two-spot! Say, I t’row up the towel; I’ll never stack against the bunch again.” Kerrigan grasped the elder man’s arm. “Why, McGlory,” protested he, “you’re not going to shirk at the last moment, are you?”