Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/114

 prove that you have never acquired citizenship in the State of New York!"

"True, but irrelevant. I am a citizen now of this state under the Reconstruction Acts, and I'm going to represent the old commonwealth in the next Senate while you sink once more into the obscurity your feeble intelligence has prepared for you. Is this all you have to say?"

"No, sir, it's not!" whispered the Judge hoarsely with triumphant malice. "I have a letter in my pocket from the warden of the prison in England where you served your time, enclosing your photograph."

With a sudden cry of anguish Larkin leaped the distance separating them, gripped Butler by the throat, hurled him back in his seat, and held him strangling, spluttering, squirming in mortal terror. In a moment he released him, sank to a chair and buried his face in his hands.

"So! I am your master after all," the Judge sneered, recovering from his terror.

Larkin lifted his lion-like head a moment and looked at his opponent.

"Yes, I give up. I'll withdraw from the race if you'll keep my secret."

"I'll make no conditions with you sir; I mean to brand you a felon throughout the length and breadth of this land!"