Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/180

 John peered into his father's restless eyes with a mad desire to lift the mysterious veil that obscured the world from his vision. The horror of the sickening tragedy strangled him and he turned, abruptly leaving the room.

He sought Billy with a growing sense of helpless and bitter despair. Since the day of their brief quarrel which followed the demonstration before old Larkin, Billy had avoided John. Since Butler's death they had scarcely spoken. The effect of this tragedy on his headstrong younger brother first led John to suspect his membership in the newly organised Klan under Steve's leadership.

John found him in his room reading.

"Billy, I must have a serious talk with you," the older brother began.

"All right, sit down," the boy answered, laying aside his book.

"A youngster of eighteen who keeps to his room for days at a time and reads is either sick or has something on his mind."

"Which do you think?" Billy asked, looking vaguely out the window.

"I'll answer you by asking a question, and I want you to answer on the honour of a Graham. Are you a member of Steve Hoyle's Klan?"

"You have no right to ask that question," was the hot reply.