"Now, what's all the mystery ?" "Better wait," said McNish, grimly.
"Well, it is a dog's trick," said Maitland wrathfully, "to get on to a chap before a big match like this." In the Union Committee rooms a group of men were awaiting them, among them Mr.Wigglesworth and the little cockney who had made himself so obnoxious at the public meeting.
"What's all this tomfoolery, Wigglesworth ?" demanded Captain Jack, striding in among them.
"(H)excuse me," said the little cockney.

"You are a member of the Woodworkers' Union I (h)understand." "Who the devil are you, may I ask ?" said Maitland in a rage.
"(H)allow me," said Mr.Wigglesworth.

"Mister Simmons, Mr.Maitland--Mr.
Simmons is our new secretary, (h)elected last meetin'." "Well, what do you want of me ?" demanded Maitland.

"Don't you know I am tied up this afternoon ?" "Tied (h)up ?" asked Simmons coolly, "'ow ?" "With the match, confound you." "Oh, the match! And w'at match may that be?
(H)Anythin' to do with your Union ?" Maitland glared at him, too dumfounded to speak.
"You see, Mr.Maitland," began Mr.Wigglesworth in a hurried and apologetic manner.
"'Ere! you keep aht o' this," said Simmons sharply, "this 'ere's my job.
I shall tell Brother Maitland all that is necessary." "I was only going to (h)explain--" began Mr.Wigglesworth.
"Naw then! IS this your job or mine?
Was you (h)appointed or was I?
When I find myself (h)unable to discharge my dooty to the Union I might per'aps call on you, Brother Wigglesworth; but until I find myself in that situation I 'ope you will refrain from shovin' in your 'orn." Brother Simmons' sarcasm appeared to wither Brother Wigglesworth into silence.
"Naw then, Brother Maitland, we shall get (h)on." Maitland glanced round on the group of half a dozen men.

Some of them he knew; others were strangers to him.
"I don't know what the business is, gentlemen," he said, curbing his wrath, "but I want to know if it can't wait till to-morrow?
You know our boys are going on the ice in a couple of hours or so--" "Goin' on the (h)ice! Goin' on the (h)ice! W'at's that to do with Union business ?" snarled Simmons.