"Exercise your warrant now--if you can, Messer Syndic.

Syndic," he continued in a tone of mockery, "where is your warrant now?
I have but this moment," he pointed to wet stains on his corselet, "slain one of your guards.

Do justice, Syndic! I have seized one of your gates by force.

Avenge it, Syndic! Syndic?
ha! ha! Here is an end of Syndics." The Syndic gasped.

He was a hard man, not to say an arrogant one, little used to opposition; one who, times and again, had ridden rough-shod over the views of his fellows.