If he steals or kills, the mounted police may
bring the offender to justice; but if he breaks this other law
there is but one punishment, and that is the punishment of the
people. That is what this letter purposes to do--to break this law
in order that its penalty may fall upon us. And if they succeed,
God help us!"
It was Gregson who jumped to his feet now. He took half a dozen
nervous steps, paused, lighted a cigarette, and looked down into
Philip's upturned face.
"I understand now where the fight is coming in," he said. "If this
thing goes through, these people will rise and wipe you off the
map. They'll lay it to you and your men, of course. And I fancy it
won't be a job half done if they feel about it as I'd feel. But,"
he demanded, sharply, "why don't you put the affair into the hands
of the proper authorities--the police or the government? You've
got--By George, you must have the name of the man to whom that
letter was addressed!"
Philip handed him a soiled white envelope, of the kind in which
official documents are usually mailed.
"That's the man."
Gregson gave a low whistle.
"Lord--Fitzhugh--Lee!" he read, slowly, as though scarce believing
his eyes. "Great Scott! A British peer!"
The cynical smile on Philip's lips cut his words short.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45