The Attorney General had taken his advice, and on receiving the report of Steve’s “illness” from the sergeant, went immediately to see him. Steve was profuse in his expressions of cordiality. “I’m sorry, General Champion,” he said, with loud friendliness, “that my father and mother are in the North at present. They spend a great deal of their time up there among you good Yankees. The fact is they are specially fond of you. My father, you know, was a secret Union man during the war and has always voted your ticket since, though for social reasons he don’t say much about it down here.” Steve winked and laughed feebly. “Is it so?” asked the General. “Yes, of course,” Steve hurried on, “and I want to ask you as a personal favour to my father, if not to me, to accept my bail for £10,000. The whole thing, I assure you, is an absurd mistake. My father and I can convince you of this on his return.” The General pursed his lips and watched Steve shrewdly for a moment. “I’m sorry I can’t accommodate you, Mr. Hoyle. We cannot accept bail in cases of this kind. You must realise at once that you are in a very dangerous position. Beyond a doubt your life is in peril.” Steve attempted to laugh but choked with terror, saying feebly: “Oh, not so bad as that, General. I’m a lawyer myself you know. I can only be tried on a charge of murder before a state judge and jury. You have no right to put a man on trial for his life here.” “Right or no right, young man, we are going to do it under the Act of Congress. We’ve got the power. The army is here. The Supreme Court may decide the Act unconstitutional later.” “I assure you, General, the charge against me is a monstrous falsehood,” Steve protested vigorously. “And yet, my boy, the men have found in the search of this house a full Ku Klux regalia for man and horse. Sergeant, bring that thing in!” The trooper stepped in the door and held up before Steve’s astonished gaze the costume which he had taken under his saddle the night before on his trip to meet Stella. Steve sat up in bed trembling and perspiring. “Why, yes, of course,” he stammered. “That has been here for some time. I’ve made no attempt to conceal it. It was given me by a client of mine who was a member. I’m keeping it as a curiosity.” “A dangerous curiosity to keep about your house in these times, sir,” said the General sternly. “Let’s come to the point. Do you wish to keep out of jail or do you wish to test the power of the United States Government to put you on trial for your life?” “I want to keep out of jail,” was the quick answer. “That’s sensible. Then face the facts. My detective has watched you for three months. I can convict you of murder.” Steve fumbled his hands nervously while the General paused and gazed steadily at his wavering eyes. “Now, I’ve a generous proposition to make you.” “Yes?--yes?” Steve gasped.