"Some of you young men seize Purcell and march him to my private
office," commanded the principal, who had lacked the courage to
strike at the young fellow who stood waiting for him.

"Will you fight Purcell like a man, if we do?" asked another voice.

"Run Cantwell out! He isn't fit to be here!" yelled another voice.

Mr. Drake, the only submaster in the room at the time, was pushing
his way forward.

"Calmly, boys, calmly," called Drake. "Don't do anything you'll
be sorry for afterwards."

But those who were more hot headed were still pressing forward.
It looked as though they were trying to get close enough to lay
hands on the now trembling principal.

Under the circumstances, Mr. Cantwell did the very worst thing
he could have done. He pushed three or four boys aside and made
a break across the assembly room. Once out in the corridor, the
principal dove into his private office, turning the key after
him. Secure, now, and his anger once more boiling up, Mr. Cantwell
rang his telephone bell. Calling for the police station, he called
for Chief Coy and reported that mutiny and violence had broken
loose in the High School.

"That seems almost incredible," replied Chief Coy. "But I'll
come on the run with some of my men."