To compel him, Colonel! But I have nothing to say." He shuffled the legal-looking papers that littered his desk.

The Colonel's eyes had narrowed to fine points of hate-instilled cunning as the attorney proceeded.
"What have we come to," asked the attorney sadly, "when the leading citizens of a town like Kilo neglect their duty?
Are there no true citizens left to show the mayor and city council their plain duty ?" When the Colonel had the thing put to him in this light he did not hesitate.

He knew Stitz, the mayor, and he knew that Stitz had full control of the city council.

What Stitz told it to do the city council did, and the Colonel believed he had a right to dictate what Stitz should tell it, for he had suggested the name of Stitz as candidate for mayor, and, with Skinner, had helped elect him.

He went at once to the mayor, and laid the case before him.
Mayor Johann Stitz was an honest, upright shoemaker, and owned his own building.