He led her to the big wrought-iron range and opened one of its ovens, revealing the form of an old-fashioned safe. Taking a huge key from his pocket, he opened the door and drew from it a package of papers. “I am going to show you, my love, what no woman’s eye ever saw before, the guarded secrets of the Invisible Empire, its signs, passwords, ritual and secret oath. In this act I now imperil no life save my own.” Stella’s tapering fingers trembled as she turned the pages nervously and read its brief formulas. “As Chief of the Klan I met here the leaders from each district.” “Then--you--are--the--Chief?” she slowly asked, bending low to hide her flushed face. “Yes, I was the only Chief the Empire ever had in the state,” he answered with a ring of boyish pride. “And you bowed to no law save your own?” she asked in low tones. “No.” “And you really did hold high courts of life and death?” she whispered. “Yes, we were the sole guardians of white civilisation. It was a necessity--the last resort of desperation.” “You tried men here in secret, sentenced them without a hearing, executed them at night without warning, mercy or appeal?” “It had to be--there was no other way. A million soldiers girded us with their bayonets. We had to strike under a mantle of darkness and terror, where the power of resistance was weakest, the blow unsuspected and discovery impossible.” “How terrible!” she interrupted with a shudder. “And yet,” she went on with a sudden flash of her eye, “its mystery and its daring fascinate me! Would you do something just to please a romantic fancy of mine?” “I have but one desire in life--to please your fancy,” he cried. “Come here with me again, day after to-morrow night, and dress in your costume as Chief of the High Court of the Klan. Bring some lanterns and we’ll light it up--it’s just a fancy of mine--will you do it?” “You’re not afraid to be here alone with me at night?” “Why should I? I love to do daring unconventional things. Besides, do we not belong to each other now?” “You do love me?” he whispered. “Do you doubt it?” “Kiss me!” he pleaded, bending closer. With a sudden shudder she drew away. “Not yet! you must be patient. I’ve a lot of silly notions. That’s one of them. I’ll learn, no doubt.” “I’ll try to teach you,” he laughed--“and be content to touch your hand until my desire shall be yours.” They rode swiftly home, John’s soul in a warm glow of happiness. Stella spoke scarcely a word, but her cheeks were flushed and about her deep brown eyes a curious smile was constantly playing. He left her at the door and as he pressed her hand softly said: “You scarcely spoke the whole way home--tell me what were you thinking about?” “I don’t know--perhaps dreaming of your terrible court--of a man being condemned to death without knowing it!” “Yet a smile was playing about your beautiful face?” Stella suddenly burst into half hysterical laughter: