This was a special body raised by the railways and colliery owners to supplement the efforts of the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district.
There was a hush as he entered, and many a curious glance was cast at him; but the relations between policemen and criminals are peculiar in some parts of the States, and McGinty himself, standing behind his counter, showed no surprise when the policeman enrolled himself among his customers.
"A straight whisky; for the night is bitter," said the police officer.
"I don't think we have met before, Councillor ?" "You'll be the new captain ?" said McGinty.
"That's so.

We're looking to you, Councillor, and to the other leading citizens, to help us in upholding law and order in this township.
Captain Marvin is my name." "We'd do better without you, Captain Marvin," said McGinty coldly; "for we have our own police of the township, and no need for any imported goods.

What are you but the paid tool of the capitalists, hired by them to club or shoot your poorer fellow citizen ?" "Well, well, we won't argue about that," said the police officer good-humouredly.

"I expect we all do our duty same as we see it; but we can't all see it the same." He had drunk off his glass and had turned to go, when his eyes fell upon the face of Jack McMurdo, who was scowling at his elbow.

"Hullo! Hullo!" he cried, looking him up and down.