No public attention whatever had so far been excited.

Every measure was taken to secure immediate and silent action.

A powerful leader, whom the beneficiaries of the bill trusted, a fearless and unscrupulous man, of much force and great knowledge of parliamentary law, was put in the chair.

Costello and I were watched; and when for a moment we were out of the House, the bill was brought over from the Senate, and the clerk began to read it, all the black horse cavalry, in expectant mood, being in their seats.

But Mike Costello, who was in the clerk's room, happened to catch a few words of what was being read.