Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/171

 "I do mean it!" she fiercely cried.

"Then you'll live to regret it," he answered, recovering his composure. "I'll do anything within human reason. You must not ask the impossible."

"Then you will help me to find this man?"

"To the limit of my power."

"Why say to the limit of my power? I hate a man who fences, squirms and lies when face to face with a test of his manhood! Will you help me find this man? Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"That's better."

"But tell me," he said, watching her with increasing reserve and cunning. "Whom do you suspect?"

"John Graham."

Steve's eyes flashed.

"And what is your programme when you have established the fact?"

"The Attorney General has promised to hang him within thirty days."

"With all due respect to the Attorney General—he can't do it."

"Why not?"

"We are living under conditions of revolution. No jury can be found who will convict him. There's but one way."