“Let them dare this insult to authority to-night and you’ll see audacity come to sudden grief in front of your father’s house.”
“Have you prepared an ambush?” Stella asked eagerly.
“Better. We’ve an extra hundred loyal policemen on the spot. Each of them is sworn to capture dead or alive any Ku Klux raider who shows his head. I hope they’ll come—but it’s too good to be true. With a dozen prisoners safe in jail, before to-morrow dawns I’ll have the secrets of the Klan in my pocket. I’ll make things hum in Washington. Watch me. It’s the big opportunity of life I’ve been waiting for—my only fear is I’ll miss it.”
“I think you’ll get it, Mr. Suggs,” was the laughing answer.
She had scarcely spoken, when a tow-headed boy rushed into the middle of the street and yelled, “Gee bucks! Look out! They’re a comin’!”
Men, women and children rushed into the street.
Suggs stood irresolute and tightened his grip on Stella’s arm.
Down the street cheers burst forth and as they died away the clatter of horses’ hoofs rang clear, distinct, defiant. They were riding slowly as in dress parade.
Another cheer was heard and Suggs stepped into the street and reconnoitred.
His face wore a puzzled look as he returned to Stella’s side.