“I’m not discussing it.”
“You must know, Mr. Graham, that the organisation is doomed, and that you are in an extremely dangerous position. I trust you realise this?”
“Quite warm last night, General!”
“Come, come, young man, I’m your friend——”
“It’s a pleasure to meet a friend; do you think it will rain?”
“You are to be put on trial for your life——”
“My idea is that we are in for a long dry spell, General.”
“Tut, tut, my boy, come now, don’t try my temper with such nonsense. President Grant is not hostile to the South. He grieves over the necessity of the severe laws which he is now enforcing. His only desire is to pacify these disorders. The Klan must be stamped out. You have realised this—I know that you have led parties who have inflicted summary justice on some of the scoundrels who are operating in its disguises. Is not this a fact?”
John laughed.
“I know it,” affirmed the General.