to do with any attack on a man in whose house I was a guest," he went on rapidly. "The whole thing is a horrible mystery to us all. Every man in our crowd was in the ballroom dancing."
"How did you know that?" John interrupted sharply.
"Because I counted them as they entered."
"You counted them?"
"Yes."
"Then you were in command of the crowd?"
Billy hesitated a moment, and said:
"Yes!"
John drew a deep breath and turned his head away in anguish.
"I could not resist the temptation to lead them. I wanted to see inside the old house again—you understand. I never dreamed of anything happening."
"None of the boys were drinking?"
"No, and there wasn't a fool among them—they were all my chums and friends in town."
"Then go at once and tell them that I say to put a thousand miles between them and this town in the next forty-eight hours—to Texas if possible."
"Why?" asked Billy with a touch of wounded pride.
"There are a hundred reasons—one is enough.
