He did not stop in his own office. He went at once to the committee-room, which opened from that of the typists’. The Committee must have received a special summons and begun its work before the usual time. Business, as Luke entered, was already under weigh, and the room was filled. In the body of the narrow hall a crowd of men lounged upon rows of those collapsible chairs, clamped together, which undertakers hire out for funerals; most of the men had cigars in their mouths, and the smoky air smelled of tobacco and the fumes from the action of alcohol on the digestive juices. On a small platform at one end of the room sat Venable, who was chairman, and, among the several persons grouped about him, Luke was surprised to note both Yeates and Nelson. Nearly all of the company looked at the newcomer, and Venable, after looking, glanced quickly away. Several committeemen whispered together, and one laughed. Luke sat in the first vacant chair that he could find. "It is moved and seconded," Venable was saying, "that the order of business be suspended. All those in favor will signify their consent in the usual manner." A droning assent answered him. "So ordered," said Venable, and looked uneasily in Luke’s direction. There was an embarrassed pause. Finally Yeates got to his feet. "Mr. Chairman," he said. Venable bowed. Yeates’s hands were in his pockets; his glance was fixed on the floor. "I propose this resolution," he said, his voice low, his words coming rapidly: "That it is the belief of the Executive Committee of the Municipal Reform League of New York that Mr. Luke Huber should be asked to withdraw from its ticket, on which he now appears as its candidate for District-Attorney, and that he is hereby so asked to do." There was no hubbub; everybody but Luke appeared to have known what was coming. If there was any discomposure, it was plainly due to Luke’s unexpectedly early appearance. Everybody looked at him again. From a front seat, one man, evidently assigned to the task, rose abruptly. "Second the motion," he mumbled, and sat down. Luke was standing before Venable could ask: "Any remarks?" "Yes," said Luke. "Question! Question!" called a dozen voices. Luke’s voice was raised above theirs. "I want——" he began. "Sit down!" yelled somebody behind him. Luke turned, but the interrupter did not reveal himself. "I want to say one word about this motion," Luke began. He swept the room with a steady gaze and then let his eyes rest on the chairman. Perhaps because their candidate had never seemed more lazy or unconcerned, the Committee offered no immediate objection. It was Venable that, without meeting Luke’s glance, interposed. "Considering the topic under discussion," said he, "it would be more in accord with the usual procedure if Mr. Huber were not in the hall." "Good for you!" cried a man in the back row of chairs. "No! Give him a chance!" cried another. Luke raised his hand to quiet them.