“Upon the other hand, my dear child,” said the General, “I assure you that the apprehension of this criminal is one of the most difficult tasks ever assigned the Department of Justice.”
“Because in this climate the Invisible Empire is yet stronger than the visible----”
“You believe then that the Klan committed the deed?” she asked
“As sure of it as that I live. If we were dealing with the ordinary criminal, it would be easy. We are dealing with larger problems. Every clue we have found has proven false for this reason. The man really responsible stands at our elbow did we but know the truth.”
“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.”
Stella sprang to her feet, her face white with an emotion which stopped for a moment her very heart-beat.
“Within a month I’ll tell you the truth”--she said with laboured breath.
“Beyond the shadow of a doubt!” was her firm answer.
The General seized her hand as he took his leave.
“If you do, my child, you will destroy an empire mightier than the law of the land. I’ll place the entire resources of the Department of Justice at your command.”
Stella’s brown eyes rested on her own beautiful reflection in the mirror as she slowly said:
“Thank you, General, I have at present all the weapons I shall need.”
STELLA was putting the last touches to a perfect toilet before meeting Steve Hoyle who was waiting impatiently below. She had given him the sign for which he had long prayed, her permission for the formal renewal of his suit. They had remained friends on condition that he keep silent on the subject until she gave him permission to speak. She had done this in the most delicate way in the note of reply she had sent in the afternoon to his request for permission to call.