Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/196



NE by one the boys engaged in the masquerade at the Judge's the night of his death slipped out of Independence from various nearby stations and left for the West. An hour before the time for Billy's train going North John went to his room for a chat before saying good-bye.

Billy had begun to unpack his trunk.

John seized his arm.

"What's this—what's the matter?"

"I'm not going!" he snapped.

"Why not?"

"I've found out that you may be put on trial for your life."

"Well, what's that got to do with your education?"

"You're just packing me off to get me out of danger."

"Suppose I am?"

"I'm not going to sneak out of trouble and leave you to stand for what I've done."

"I'm responsible, my boy."

"You're not. You tried to keep me out of it.