Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/80

 goner. If you kill him, you're ruined—what's the use?"

"It can't be helped," was the quiet answer.

"Are ye goin' ter kill 'im?"

"Yes. The Klan was the only way to save our civilisation. I've sowed the wind and now I begin to see that somebody must reap the whirlwind. I realised it all in a flash last night when that scoundrel called the men to reorganise."

"They won't follow him."

"The fools will, and there are thousands outside clamouring to get in. I've kept the young and reckless out as far as possible. Steve Hoyle knows that he can beat me for Congress with this new wildcat Klan at his back. He hasn't sense enough to see that the spell of authority once broken, he wields a power no human hand can control. It will be faction against faction, neighbour against neighbour, man against man—the end martial law, prison bars and the shadow of the gallows, I can save the lives of thousands of men, and my state from crime and disgrace by killing this fool as I'd kill a mad dog, and I'm going to do it!"

"Hit'll ruin ye, boy!"

"I know it."

"Look here, John Graham, do me a special favour. Leave Steve to me. My wife's dead and I aint got a chick or a child—you've defended