Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/64

 with that fat little detective whom the Judge has imported with the troops."

"Captain" Suggs of the Secret Service was more than duly impressed with his importance as he forced his pudgy figure through the throng on the sidewalk, ostentatiously protecting Stella from the touch of the crowd.

"It's arrant nonsense, Miss Stella," he was saying, as they passed. "These Southern people are savages, I know"

"Why, Captain, I'm a Southerner too," said the girl archly.

"I mean the disloyal traitors of the South—not the broad-minded patriots like your father," Suggs hastened to explain. "I say it's arrant nonsense this talk of such a parade by these traitors. I credit them with too much cunning to dare to flaunt their treason in the streets here to-night with a regiment of troops and the head of the Secret Service on the spot."

The little fellow expanded his chest and puffed his cheeks.

Billy doubled his fist, and made a dash for him.

With a suppressed scream, Mrs. Wilson caught him.

"Billy! for heaven's sake, are you crazy!"

They passed on down the street toward the Judge's house.