On the next evening, therefore, I ascended the platform as usual and found the place crowded with men.

I had my acetylene lamp with me to furnish light for reading any questions that might be sent up.

I called the meeting to order, and then asked if any men had any questions to ask.

To my great delight, someone at the back held an envelope above the crowd, and it was passed up to me.

I tore it open, and, holding my lamp in one hand, without first looking over the letter, I read it aloud to the men, who were hushed in the silence of anticipation.