Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/182

 to do with any attack on a man in whose house I was a guest," he went on rapidly. "The whole thing is a horrible mystery to us all. Every man in our crowd was in the ballroom dancing."

"How did you know that?" John interrupted sharply.

"Because I counted them as they entered."

"You counted them?"

"Yes."

"Then you were in command of the crowd?"

Billy hesitated a moment, and said:

"Yes!"

John drew a deep breath and turned his head away in anguish.

"I could not resist the temptation to lead them. I wanted to see inside the old house again—you understand. I never dreamed of anything happening."

"None of the boys were drinking?"

"No, and there wasn't a fool among them—they were all my chums and friends in town."

"Then go at once and tell them that I say to put a thousand miles between them and this town in the next forty-eight hours—to Texas if possible."

"Why?" asked Billy with a touch of wounded pride.

"There are a hundred reasons—one is enough.