“You had nothing to do with it!” Ackerman exclaimed. “Absolutely nothing. I repudiate the whole affair.” “I came here to do this work at your own request,” he protested. “The arrest of Mr. Graham is an infamous outrage!” “What!” “An infamous outrage. I repeat it and demand his immediate release.” “Why, my dear young woman, it was on the information which you gave that I swore out the warrant for his arrest.” “It was you who swore out the warrant against him?” Stella fiercely cried. “Oh, I could kill you!” “You gave me the information.” “I did nothing of the kind,” she stormed. “It’s false--I deny it!” “On your statement to me that he had confessed that he was Chief of the Klan, I made the oath on which his warrant was based,” Ackerman maintained with warmth. “Then you swore a lie!” she hissed. “A lie--a lie!” Stella fell on the lounge and buried her face in her hands. Ackerman flushed and was silent. His keen eyes grew suddenly tender. He smiled, rose and stood by her side a moment, and when she looked up extended his hand. “I’m sorry for you, Miss Stella. I think I understand!” “Then you will know how to forgive my bitter and unjust words?” “Yes.” “Can’t you help me?” she asked piteously. “The situation is extremely delicate for me as it is dangerous for John Graham. The Government is determined to press these cases for conspiracy and murder. Personally I have never believed Graham guilty of the murder of the Judge.” “Of course he is innocent!” “I think I know the man who killed your father.” “And you will help me save John Graham?” she cried. “I’ll have a big job before me to complete my work before this trial. There’ll be plenty of witnesses to swear anything the Government wants, but I’ll do my best.” “Thank you.” With a cordial grasp of the hand Ackerman took his leave and Stella hastened to confer with the Attorney General. “I’ve come to demand the immediate release of Mr. Graham on the absurd charge that has been made against him,” she began impetuously. The General looked at her in astonishment. “Hoity toity! My dear Miss, not so fast.” “You began this at my request. I demand that it cease.” “Yes, yes, I see, but you have forgotten that greater issues are at stake than even the lives of two men.” “I’ll have nothing to do with the prosecution of an innocent man, General Champion.” “Even so, you have set in motion forces you can not control. The fate of Mr. Graham is fixed. He is the Chief of the Klan. He’s as sure of conviction as the fact that he is to be put on trial. I’ll see that he is tried and that all the resources of the Government are used to secure his conviction.” Stella’s beautiful face grew white and still. “You will make a special effort against him?” she faltered. “I will,” was the stern answer. “There was a way of escape. I offered it to him this morning in the most friendly and generous spirit. His answer was the gravest personal insult.” “May I see him at once?” “Certainly.”