"Don't you think that it would be a good thing to get the mayor to make a public statement denouncing the Klan as an outlaw organization and warning the citizens against becoming members or in any way encouraging this organization?" McBryan asked. "That is the thing to do if we can find the proper person to approach the mayor." "Jim Stover is the man to see the mayor." "You mean the president of the Central State Bank?" queried the priest. "Yes." "He's a Protestant." "Yes, but very much opposed to the Klan. A number of Ks. of C. have heard him express himself as bitterly opposed to the Kluxers. He is able to get anything he wants from the mayor." "You see him, Patrick, and give him to understand that if he stands by us in this fight he can expect more deposits than he has had from Catholics and that the Ks. of C. will return the favor in a political way whenever he wants it--just so they are not asked to oppose a Catholic or support a Protestant who is hostile to Catholics. Patrick, it would be advisable to get a Catholic or a Catholic sympathizer to join the Klan so that we may get inside information." "I know just the man. His name is Tom Glynn. He works at the mill. He told me that his wife is a Catholic and that he was raised a Catholic but that he had not been to confessional for so long that he no longer considers himself one." "See if you can't get him to undertake this mission for His Grace, the Pope, and the Church. Tell him that sometime he will want the consolation of the Church, and that if he renders this service I will absolve him and give him my blessing. I think that is all for the present." "Goodbye, Father." "Goodbye, Patrick. The Klan is dangerous and an enemy to Rome, but we have the Knights of Columbus, _Deo gratias_." Chapter III Charles Wilson, a prosperous real estate dealer, sat in his office enjoying the breeze from his electric fan. Charles was a hustling real estate agent in spite of his two hundred forty pounds. He had just returned from a long, hot drive in the country and found the fan very agreeable. He had just removed his collar and tie when a young man entered. "How are you, Harold? Have a chair." "How are you, Mr. Wilson?" "Just able to sit up and take nourishment. You see I am wasting away." Wilson shook his fat sides with laughter. "I hope you will soon take on a little flesh," said Harold. "Harold, how is architectural business?" "The facts are that I am not doing much, but I still have hopes." "It would be an awful world without hope. Just keep a stiff upper lip and things will come your way some of these times." Wilson's voice was so cheerful that Harold felt encouraged already. "Why don't you make a bid for the proposed new city building?" "I had thought of trying for this work, but I am not acquainted with the mayor and only slightly acquainted with one commissioner." "That doesn't make any difference, if you can convince them that you can do the work."