Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/76

 rule. We dissolve this powerful secret order in time to save you from persecution, exile, imprisonment and death. The National Government is getting ready to strike. When the blow falls it will be on the vanished shadow of a ghost. There's a time to fight, and a time to retreat. We retreat from a field of victory.

"I should have dissolved the Klan a month ago. I confess to you a secret. I waited becausemeant to strike with it a blow at a personal enemy. I realise now that I stood as your leader on the brink of the precipice of social anarchy. Forgive me for the wrong I might have done, had you followed me. As Grand Dragon of the Empire I declare this order dissolved forever in the state of North Carolina!"

He seized a shovel and covered with earth and leaves the ashes of the burned regalia.

Steve Hoyle stepped quickly in front of his rival. The veins on his massive neck stood out like cords and his eyes shone ominously in the moonlight. The slender figure of John Graham instinctively stiffened at the threat of his movement as the two men faced each other.

"The Klan is now a thing of the past?" asked Steve.

"Yes."

"As though it had never been?"