“But,” he concluded, “hasten the undertaking as much as you can.  The opposition is stronger than you suppose.  The pressure on me is going to be terrible.  What about the prisoners in the jail?”

Coleman evaded this last question by saying that the matter was in the hands of the Committee, and he then left the Governor.

Coleman at once returned to headquarters where the Executive Committee was in session, getting rid of its routine business.  After a dozen matters were settled, it was moved “that the Committee as a body shall visit the county jail at such time as the Executive Committee might direct, and take thence James P. Casey and Charles Cora, give them a fair trial, and administer such punishment as justice shall demand.”

This, of course, was the real business for which all this organization had been planned.  A moment’s pause succeeded the proposal, but an instantaneous and unanimous assent followed the demand for a vote.  At this precise instant a messenger opened the door and informed them that Governor Johnson was in the building requesting speech with Coleman.

Coleman found Johnson, accompanied by Sherman and a few others, lounging in the anteroom.  The Governor sprawled in a chair, his hat pulled over his eyes, a cigar in the corner of his mouth.  His companions arose and bowed gravely as Coleman entered the room, but the Governor remained seated and nodded curtly with an air of bravado.  Without waiting for even the ordinary courtesies he burst out.

“We have come to ask what you intend to do,” he demanded.

Coleman, thoroughly surprised, with the full belief that the subject had all been settled in the previous interview, replied curtly.

“I agree with you as to the grievances,” rejoined the Governor, “but the courts are the proper remedy.  The judges are good men, and there is no necessity for the people to turn themselves into a mob.”

“Sir!” cried Coleman.  “This is no mob!—­You know this is no mob!”

The Governor went on to explain that it might become necessary to bring out all the force at his command.  Coleman, though considerably taken aback, recovered himself and listened without comment.  He realized that Sherman and the other men were present as witnesses.

“I will report your remark to my associates,” he contented himself with saying.  The question of witnesses, however, bothered Coleman.  He darted in to the committee room and shortly returned with witnesses of his own.

“Let us now understand each other clearly,” he resumed.  “As I understand your proposal, it is that, if we make no move, you guarantee no escape, an immediate trial, and instant execution?”

Johnson agreed to this.

“We doubt your ability to do this,” went on Coleman, “but we are ready to meet you half-way.  This is what we will promise:  we will take no steps without first giving you notice.  But in return we insist that ten men of our own selection shall be added to the sheriff’s force within the jail.”