Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... THE TRAITOR Book I--The Crime CHAPTER I THE THREAT WHAS the mather with the latch!" John Graham stood in the soft Southern moonlight fumbling over the gate of the old homestead from which the Civil War had driven his family penniless. "Used to be a latch anyhow, before his illustrious Dishonour, the Judge, and his African Government, turned us out!" he continued to mutter. "Wonder if he's locked it? Didn't need bolts for gates in our time--but he does--the old Scalawag!" Each word of the last sentence was slowly hissed. Again he felt over the gate, tried both sides without success, stepped back and surveyed it critically. "By Geeminy, the gate's grown up!--used to be here--see the gravel walk on the other side." He shook it gently. "No mistake about it--grown solid to the fence. I'll have to climb over." He touched the points of the sharp pickets, suddenly straightened himself with dignity and growled: "I won't climb over my own fence, and I won't scratch under. I'll walk straight through." A vicious lurch against the gate smashed the latch and he fell heavily inside. He had scarcely touched the ground when a fair girl of eighteen, dressed in spotless white, reached the gate, running breathlessly, darted inside, seized his arm and helped him to his feet. "Mr. John, you must come home with me," she said eagerly. "Got to see old Butler, Miss Susie." "You're in no condition to see Judge Butler." She spoke with tenderness and yet with authority. "And why not?" he argued good-naturedly. "Ain't I dressed in my best bib and tucker?" He brushed the dirt from his seedy frock coat and buttoned it carefully. "You've befn drinking," pleaded the girl. "Yet I'm not drunk!" he declared triumphantly. "Then you're giving a good imitation," she...
