"What do you mean?" Stella asked with sudden interest.
"That your father's death was ordered by an inner circle of the Invisible Empire. He was probably executed by an individual who did not even know his name. The occasion of the masquerade ball was simply utilised for the purpose. Unless we know the name of the Chief of the Klan in this state no progress can be made. This man has the power of life and death over his men. No such deed could have been committed without his order."
"And you are going to give up the search?" was the eager question.
"For the present yes. It is a waste of time."
"And you have formed no idea as to who this Chief may be?" asked the big brown eyes, flashing with a new purpose.
"I haven't a scrap of evidence that can be used in an English-speaking court of justice—but I am morally certain that I know the man."
"And if you knew him by his own confession?"
"I could send him to the gallows within thirty days."
"The man you suspect?"
"John Graham!"
Stella sprang to her feet, her face white with an
