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Anyhow, some of you will take no further hand, and there are sixty more besides yourselves that will see a jail this night.

I'll tell you this, that when I was put upon this job I never believed there was such a society as yours.

I thought it was paper talk, and that I would prove it so.

They told me it was to do with the Freemen; so I went to Chicago and was made one.

Then I was surer than ever that it was just paper talk; for I found no harm in the society, but a deal of good.

"Still, I had to carry out my job, and I came to the coal valleys.

When I reached this place I learned that I was wrong and that it wasn't a dime novel after all.

So I stayed to look after it.

I never killed a man in Chicago.

I never minted a dollar in my life.

Those I gave you were as good as any others; but I never spent money better.

But I knew the way into your good wishes and so I pretended to you that the law was after me.

It all worked just as I thought.

"So I joined your infernal lodge, and I took my share in your councils.

Maybe they will say that I was as bad as you.

They can say what they like, so long as I get you.

But what is the truth? The night I joined you beat up old man Stanger.

I could not warn him, for there was no time; but I held your hand, Baldwin, when you would have killed him.

If ever I have suggested things, so as to keep my place among you, they were things which I knew I could prevent.

I could not save Dunn and Menzies, for I did not know enough; but I will see that their murderers are hanged.

I gave Chester Wilcox warning, so that when I blew his house in he and his folk were in hiding.

There was many a crime that I could not stop; but if you look back and think how often your man came home the other road, or was down in town when you went for him, or stayed indoors when you thought he would come out, you'll see my work."

"You blasted traitor!" hissed McGinty through his closed teeth.

"Ay, John McGinty, you may call me that if it eases your smart.

You and your like have been the enemy of God and man in these parts.

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