As he walked to his room he was not in a pleasant frame of mind. He was concerned about what she had told him of the attitude taken by Stover toward the Klan, but he was worried most of all about Chester Golter, the nephew of Stover. Ruth had gone riding with him. He wondered what he was like. He knew he would not like him. He was sure of that. He was a little peeved that Ruth would go riding with him when he had been in town such a short time. He was a little fearful that his relationship with Stover might have undue weight with her. Chapter IV The Klan meeting held in the open was well attended. Stover, Springer and McBryan had predicted that there would be but few there. Contrary to their prediction, there were thousands present. Many came to this first public Klan meeting through curiosity; others came earnestly desiring to know something of this much talked of organization. The next time Harold saw Ruth after this meeting she asked, "Did you attend the Klan meeting?" "Yes, I was there and heard every word." "I heard there was a big crowd." "Yes, the crowd was estimated all the way from six to ten thousand." "Mr. Stover said that they were drawn there by curiosity and had no intention of joining. He also said there was a morbid curiosity to see some Kluxers in their robes." "If they came for that purpose they were not disappointed. There were twelve men in full regalia who passed application blanks." "I should have liked to have seen them." "Some time when there is another one we will go, if you care to." "Did you like the speech?" "Very much. He explained the thirteen points of Klanism." "Thirteen points, you say; may I ask what they are?" "Certainly. These principles are not kept secret. You have the same right to know of them that I have and the other thousands who heard the speech." He reached in his pocket and took out an inquiry blank with the thirteen principles of the Klan printed thereon and handed it to her. She took it and read aloud as follows: I am a "Native Born" American Citizen, having the best interests of my Community, City, State and Nation at heart, and believe in, viz: 1. The tenets of the Christian religion. 2. White supremacy. 3. Closer relationship between Capital and American labor. 4. Protection of our pure womanhood. 5. Preventing the causes of mob violence and lynchings. 6. Preventing unwarranted strikes by foreign labor agitators. 7. Prevention of fires and destruction of property by lawless elements. 8. The limitation of foreign immigration. 9. Closer relationship of pure Americans. 10. The up-holding of the Constitution of these United States. 11. The separation of church and state. 12. Freedom of speech and press. 13. The much needed local reforms. When she had finished reading, Harold asked, "What is the matter with those principles?"