“Better. We’ve an extra hundred loyal policemen on the spot. Each of them is sworn to capture dead or alive any Ku Klux raider who shows his head. I hope they’ll come--but it’s too good to be true. With a dozen prisoners safe in jail, before to-morrow dawns I’ll have the secrets of the Klan in my pocket. I’ll make things hum in Washington. Watch me. It’s the big opportunity of life I’ve been waiting for--my only fear is I’ll miss it.” “I think you’ll get it, Mr. Suggs,” was the laughing answer. She had scarcely spoken, when a tow-headed boy rushed into the middle of the street and yelled, “Gee bucks! Look out! They’re a comin’!” Men, women and children rushed into the street. Suggs stood irresolute and tightened his grip on Stella’s arm. Down the street cheers burst forth and as they died away the clatter of horses’ hoofs rang clear, distinct, defiant. They were riding slowly as in dress parade. Another cheer was heard and Suggs stepped into the street and reconnoitred. His face wore a puzzled look as he returned to Stella’s side. “They’ve actually ridden past the regimental camp. I can’t understand why the Colonel did not attack them.” “Gee Whilikens, there’s a million of ’em!” cried a boy nearby. “Perhaps the Colonel thought discretion the better part of valour, Mr. Suggs,” suggested Stella smilingly. “Red tape,” the detective explained with disgust--“he has no order. Just wait until the assassins walk into the trap I’ve laid for them. Come, we will hurry to your gate. I want you to see what happens.” They crossed the street and hurried to the Judge’s place. Suggs summoned the commander of his force of “metropolitan” police and in short sharp tones gave his orders. “Are your men all ready, officer?” “Yessir!” “Fully armed?” “You bet.” “Handcuffs ready?” “All ready.” “Good. Throw your line, double column, across the street, stop the parade and arrest them one at a time.” Suggs squared his round shoulders as best he could; the officer saluted and returned to his place to execute the order. When the cordon formed across the street the boys yelled and the news flashed from lip to lip far down the line. A great crowd quickly gathered surging back and forth in waves of excitement as the raiders approached. The white ghostlike figures could now be seen, the draped horse and rider appearing of gigantic size in the shimmering moonlight. “Now we’ll have some fun,” exclaimed Suggs with a triumphant smile. Stella trembled with excitement, two bright red spots appearing on her dimpled cheeks, her eyes sparkling. Amid constant cheers from the crowds the line of white figures slowly approached the cordon of police without apparently noticing their existence. “Now for the climax of the drama!” cried Suggs, watching with eager interest the rapidly closing space between the Clansmen and his police. The officer in command, noting an uneasy tension along his lines, crossed the street in front of his men exhorting them.