It was felt that here was a dangerous brute at large.

Several armed themselves with stones and sticks.

Inside Professor Thunder was still raving to drown Madame's rational arguments.

Twice he burst into the open with fresh invectives for Nickie, and some trifling piece of dress or property to hurl at him; but Madame Marve and the Living Skeleton hung on his coat-tails and dragged him back.
Nickie had a thought of lifting his mask and letting his humanity be known to the crowd, but there were many present who had paid to see the show, and these might take it into their heads to resent the imposition.
Besides, Professor Thunder might relent.

On the whole, it seemed better to await developments.