Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/28

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"Maybe," he said evasively.

"If you do appreciate my coming," she urged, "at least show it by this; promise for my sake, won't you?"

He hesitated a moment and answered with courtesy:

"Yes, I promise for your sake, Susie, my little mascot and fellow conspirator of. The Invisible Empire—good-bye!" He seized her hand, and held it a moment. "My! my! but you look one of us to-night, with that sylph figure robed in white standing there ghost-like in the moonlit shadows!"

"I wish I could share your dangers. I'd goon a raid with you if you'd let me," she cried eagerly.

"No doubt," he laughed.

"I'll sit up until you come," she whispered as she turned and left him.

John Graham leaned against the picket fence and watched intently the white figure until Susie Wilson disappeared. The talk with her had more than half sobered him.

"And now for business," he muttered, turning through the open gate toward the house. He stopped suddenly with amazement.

"Well, what the Devil! every window from cellar to attic ablaze with light. And the old scoundrel has always kept it dark as the grave."