CHAPTER XXII
Saluting the Commander-in-Chief, Penhallow turned away in absent moodthinking of the burdened man who had passed from sight into the WhiteHouse. As he crossed Lafayette Square, he suddenly remembered that thePresident's request for his company had caused him to forget to look overthe papers in his office of which the Secretary had spoken. It wasdesirable to revisit the War Department. As he walked around the statueof Andrew Jackson, he came suddenly face to face with his wife's brother,Henry Grey. For a moment he was in doubt. The man was in United Statesuniform, with an army cloak over his shoulders--but it was Grey.Something like consternation possessed the Federal officer. TheConfederate faced him smiling, as Penhallow said, "My God! Grey, youhere! a spy in our uniform! Many people know you--detection and arrestwould mean--"
"Don't talk so loud, James. You are excited, and there is really noreason."
Penhallow said quietly, "I have good reason to be excited. You will walkon in front of me to Willard's Hotel. I will go with you to my rooms,where we can talk freely. Now, sir."
Grey stood still. "And suppose I decline to obey my rather positivebrother-in-law."
"You are not a fool. If you were to try to escape me, and you arethinking of it, I would set on you at once any half dozen of the soldierswithin call."
"In that case my revolver would settle my earthly accounts--andpleasantly relieve you."
"Don't talk. Go on ahead of me." He would not walk beside him.
"As you please." No more words passed. They moved up Pennsylvania Avenue,now at mid-day crowded with officers, soldiers, and clerks going tolunch. Grey was courteously saluting the officers he passed. Thisparticularly enraged the man who was following him and was hopelesslytrying to see how with regard to his own honour he could save thiseasy-going and well-loved brother of Ann Penhallow. If the Confederatehad made his escape, he would have been relieved, but he gave him noleast chance, nor was Grey at all meaning to take any risks. He knew orbelieved that his captor could not give him up to justice. He had nevermuch liked the steady, self-controlled business man, the master of GreyPine. Himself a light-hearted, thoughtless character, he quite failed tocomprehend the agony of indecision which was harassing the federalofficer. In fact, then and later in their talk, he found somethingamusing in the personal embarrassment Penhallow's recognition had broughtupon him.
As they approached the hotel, the Confederate had become certain thathe was in no kind of danger. The trapper less at ease than the trappedwas after his habit becoming cool, competent and intensely watchful.The one man was more and more his careless, rather egotistic self; theother was of a sudden the rare self of an hour of peril--in a word,dangerous. As they reached the second floor, Penhallow said, "This way."Josiah in the dimly lighted corridor was putting the last shine on apair of riding-boots. As he rose, his master said, "Stay here--I am notat home--to anybody--to any one."
He led the way into his sitting-room; Grey following said, "Excuse me,"as he locked the door.
"You are quite safe," remarked his host, rather annoyed.
"Oh, that I take for granted."
James Penhallow said, "Sit down. There are cigars."
"A match please. Cigars are rare luxuries with us."
As the Confederate waited for the sulphur of the match to pass away,Penhallow took note of the slight, delicate figure, the blue eyes likeAnn's, the well-bred face. Filling his own pipe he sat down with his backto the window, facing his brother-in-law.
"You are very comfortable here, James. How is my sister, and your beauty,Leila?"
"Well--very well. But let us talk a little. You are a spy in ouruniform."
"That is obvious enough. I am one of many in your Departments and outsideof them. What do you propose? I am sorry we met."
"My duty is to turn you over to the Provost-marshal."
"Of course, but alas! my dear James, there is my sister--you won't doit--no one would under the circumstances. What the deuce made you speakto me? You put us both in an awkward position. You became responsible fora duty you can't fulfil. I am really most sorry for you. It was a bit ofbad luck."
Penhallow rose to get a match and moved about the room uneasily as HenryGrey went on talking lightly of the situation which involved for himpossibilities of death as a spy, and for Penhallow a dilemma in whichGrey saw his own safety.
"Rather disagreeable all round, James. But I trust you won't let it worryyou. I always think a man must be worried when he lets his pipe go out.There is no need to worry, and after all"--he added smiling--"you createda situation which might have been avoided. No one would have known--in aday or two we would have been talking to General Lee. An excellent cigar,James."
While his brother-in-law chatted lightly, apparently unconcerned, theUnion officer was considering this way or that out of the toils woven ofduty, affection and honour; but as he kept on seeking a mode of escape,he was also hearing and watching the man before him with attention whichmissed no word. He was barely conscious that the younger man appearedenough at ease to dare to use language which the Federal officer felt tobe meant to annoy. A single word used by Grey stopped the Colonel'smental mechanism as if a forceful brake had been applied. The man beforehim had said carelessly, "_We_--_we_ would have been talking to GeneralLee." The word "we" repeated itself in his mind like an echo. He toolightly despised Grey's capacity as a spy, but he had said "we." Therewere, it seemed, others; how many?--what had they done? This terriblysimplified the game. To arrest Grey would or might be useless. Who werehis companions and where were they? Once missing this confidentConfederate they might escape. To question Grey would be in vain. To givehim any hint that he had been imprudent would be to lose an advantage. Hewas so intent on the question of how to carry out a decisive purpose thathe missed for the moment Grey's easy-minded talk, and then was suddenlyaware that Grey was really amusing himself with a cat-and-mouse game.But now he too was at ease and became quietly civil as he filled anotherpipe, and with an air of despair which altogether deceived Grey said, "Isee that I can do nothing, Henry. There is no reason to protract anunpleasant matter."
"I supposed you would reach this very obvious conclusion." Then unable toresist a chance to annoy a man who had given him a needless half hour notfree from unpleasant possibilities, Grey rose and remarked, smiling, "Ihope when we occupy this town to meet you under more agreeablecircumstances."
"Sir," said Penhallow, "the painful situation in which I am placed doesnot give you the freedom to insult me."
The Confederate was quite unaware that the Colonel was becoming more andmore a man to fear, "I beg pardon, James," he said, "I was onlyanticipating history." As he spoke, he stood securing a neglected buttonof his neat uniform. This act strangely exasperated the Colonel. "I willsee you out," he said. "The buttons of the Massachusetts Third mightattract attention."
"Oh, my cloak covers it," and he threw it carelessly over his shoulders.
Penhallow said, "I have confessed defeat--you may thank Ann Penhallow."
"Yes--an unfortunate situation, James. May I have another cigar? Thanks."
"Sorry I have no whisky, Grey."
"And I--How it pours! What a downfall!"
The Colonel was becoming more and more outwardly polite.
"Good-bye, Henry."
"_Au revoir_," said the younger man.
Penhallow went with his brother-in-law down the long corridor, neitherman speaking again. As they passed Josiah, Penhallow said, "I shall wantmy horse at five, and shall want you with me." At the head of the stairshe dismissed his visitor without a further word. Then he turned backquickly to Josiah and said in a low voice, "Follow that man--don't losehim. Take your time. It is important--a matter of life and death tome--to know where he lives. Quick now--I trust you."
"Yes, sir." He was gone.
Grey feeling entirely safe walked away in the heavy rain with a mindat ease and a little sorry as a soldier for the hapless situation withwhich Penhallow had had to struggle. When we have known men only i
n theevery-day business of life or in ordinary social relations, we may quitefail to credit them with qualities which are never called into activityexcept by unusual circumstances. Grey, an able engineer, regardedPenhallow as a rather slow thinker, a good man of business, and now as acommonplace, well-mannered officer. He smiled as he thought how hissister had made her husband in this present predicament what algebraistscall a "negligible quantity." He would have been less easy had he knownthat the man he left felt keenly a sense of imperilled honour and ofinsult which his relation to Grey forbade him to avenge. He had become aman alert, observant, and quick to see his way and to act.
Josiah, with all his hunting instincts aroused, loitered idly after Greyin the rain, one of the scores of lazy, unnoticeable negroes. He was goneall the afternoon, and at eight o'clock found Penhallow in his room. "Didyou find where he lives?" asked the Colonel.
"That man, he lives at 229 Sixteenth Street. Two more live there. Theywas in and out all day--and he went to shops and carried things away--"
"What kind of shops?"
"Where they sell paper and pens--and 'pothecaries."
"Sit down--you look tired." It was plain that they were soon about tomove and were buying what was needed in the South--quinine, of course.But what had been their errand? He said, "Get some supper and come backsoon."
Then he sat down to think. An engineer of competence lately back fromEurope! His errand--their errand--must be of moment. He took a smallrevolver out of a drawer, put in shells, placed it in his breast pocket,and secured a box of matches. About nine, in a summer thunder-shower ofwind and rain, he followed Josiah and walked to No. 229 Sixteenth Street.As he stood he asked,
"How did those men get in, Josiah?"
"All had keys. Want to get in, Colonel?"
"Yes, I want to get in. Are there any others in the house--servants--anyone?"
"No, sir," Josiah said. "I went round to an alley at the back of thehouse. There are lights on the second storey. You can get in easy at theback, sir."
Seeing a policeman on the opposite pavement, Penhallow at once changedhis plan of entrance, and crossing the street said to the policeman, "Isthis your beat?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very good! You see I am in uniform. Here is my card. I am on duty at theWar Department. Here is my general pass from the Provost-marshal General.Come to the gas lamp and read it. Here are ten dollars. I have to getinto No. 229 on Government business. If I do not come out in thirtyminutes, give the alarm, call others and go in. Who lives there?"
"It is a gambling house--or was--not now."
"Very good. This is my servant, Josiah. If I get out safely, come toWillard's to-morrow at nine--use my card--ask for me--and you will not besorry to have helped me."
"You want to get in!"
"Yes."
"No use to ring, sir," said Josiah. "There ain't any servants and thegentlemen, they ate outside. Lord, how it rains!"
The policeman hesitated. Another ten dollar note changed owners. "Well,it isn't police duty--and you're not a burglar--"
The Colonel laughed. "If I were, I'd have been in that house without youraid."
"Well, yes, sir. Burglars don't usually take the police into theirconfidence. There are no lights except in the second storey. If yourman's not afraid and it's an honest Government job, let him go throughthat side alley, get over the fence--I'll help him--and either through awindow or by the cellar he can get in and open the front door for you."
Josiah laughed low laughter as he crossed the street with the officer andwas lost to view. The Colonel waited at the door. In a few minutes theman returning said, "Want me with you? He got in easily."
"No, but take the time when I enter and keep near." They waited.
"Nine-thirty now, sir."
"Give me the full time."
Penhallow went up the steps and knocked at the door. It was opened and hewent in. "Shut the door quietly, Josiah--open if the policeman knocks.Now, be quiet, and if you hear a shot, or a big row call the police."
The house below-stairs was in darkness. He took off his shoes and wentinto a room on the first floor. Striking a match, he saw only ordinaryfurniture. The room back of it revealed to his failing match a roulettetable. He went out into the hall and up the stairs with the utmostcaution to avoid noise. On the second floor the door of the front roomwas ajar. They must be careless and confident, he reflected as heentered. A lighted candle on a pine table dimly illuminated a room insome confusion. On the floor were two small bags half full of clotheswhich he swiftly searched, without revealing anything of moment. A third,smaller bag lay open on the table. It contained a number of small rollsof very thin paper, and on the table there were spread out two others.As he looked, he knew they were admirably drawn sketches of the forts andthe lines of connecting works which defended the city. Making sure nomore papers were to be found, he thrust all of them within his waistcoat,buttoned it securely, felt for his revolver, and listened.
In the closed back room there was much mirth and the clink of glasses.He drew near the door and felt certain that Grey was relating with comicadditions his interview of the morning. Without hesitation he threw openthe door as three men sprang to their feet and Grey covered him with arevolver. He said quietly, "Sorry to disturb you, gentlemen. Put downthat toy, Grey."
"No, by Heaven!--not till--"
"My dear Grey, between me and that pistol stands a woman--as she stoodfor your safety this morning. Men who talk, don't shoot. You are allthree in deadly peril--you had better hear me. I could have covered youall with my revolver. Put down that thing!"
"Put it down," said the older of the three. Grey laid the weapon on thetable.
"This is not war," said Penhallow, "and you are three to one. Sit down."He set the example. "It is clear that you are all Confederate officersand spies. Let us talk a little. I came on Mr. Grey to-day by accident.It was my duty to have him arrested; but he is my wife's brother. If apistol is heard or I am not out of this, safe, in a few minutes, thepolice now on guard will enter--and you are doomed men. I am presumablyon Government business. Now, gentlemen, will you leave at once or in anhour or less?"
"I for one accept," said the man who had been silent.
"And I," said the elder of the party.
"On your honour?"
"Yes."
Grey laughed lightly, "Oh, of course. Our work is done. Speed the partingguest!"
"I wish," said the Colonel, rising, "to leave no misapprehension on yourminds--or on that of Mr. Grey. Those admirable sketches left carelesslyon the table are in my pocket. Were they not, you would all three be lostmen. Did you think, Grey, that to save your life or my own I would permityou to escape with your work? Had I not these papers, your chance ofdeath would not weigh with me a moment."
Grey started up. "Don't be foolish, Grey," said the older man. "We haveplayed and lost. There has been much carelessness--and we have sufferedfor it. I accept defeat, Colonel."
Penhallow looked at the watch in his hand. "You have ten minutesgrace--no, rather less. May I ask of you one thing? You are every hourin danger, but I too am aware that if this interview be talked about inRichmond or you are caught, my name may be so used as to make troublefor me, for how could I explain that to save my wife's brother I connivedat the escape of Confederate officers acting as spies? I ask no pledge,gentlemen. I merely leave my honour as a soldier in your hands.Good-night, and don't delay."
Grey was silent. The older man said, "I permit myself to hope we may meetsome time under more pleasant circumstances--for me, I mean,"--he added,laughing. "Good-night."
Penhallow withdrew quickly and found Josiah on guard. He said, "It is allright--but for sport it beats possum-hunting. Open the door." The rainwas still falling in torrents. "All right," he said to the policeman,"come and see me to-morrow early."
"What was the matter, sir? I've got to make my report."
Then Penhallow saw the possibility of trouble and as quickly that tobribe further might only make mischief.
"Do not come to the hotel, but ateleven sharp call on me at the War Department on Seventeenth Street. Youhave my card. By that time I shall have talked the matter over with theSecretary. I am not at liberty to talk of it now--and you had better not.It is a Government affair. You go off duty, when?"
"At six. You said eleven, sir?"
"Yes, good-night. Go home, Josiah."
The Colonel was so wet that the added contributions of water were of nomoment. The soldier in uniform may not carry an umbrella--for reasonsunknown to me.
Before breakfast next morning Josiah brought him a letter, left at thehotel too late in the night for delivery. He read it with some amusementand with an uncertain amount of satisfaction:
"MY DEAR J: When by evil luck I encountered you, I was sure of threethings. First, that I was safe; then, that we had secured what we wanted;and last, that our way home was assured. If in my satisfaction I playedthe bluff game rather lightly--well, in a way to annoy you--I beg now toapologize. That I should so stupidly have given away a game already wonis sufficiently humiliating, and the dog on top may readily forgive. Youspoilt a gallant venture, but, by Jove, you did it well! I can't imaginehow you found me! Accept my congratulations.
"Yours sincerely,
"G."
"Confound him! What I suffered don't count. He's just the man he alwayswas--brave, of course, quixotically chivalrous, a light weight. Ann usedto say he was a grown-up boy and small for his age. Well, he has had hisspanking. Confound him!" He went on thinking of this gay, clever,inconsiderate, not unlovable man. "If by mishap he were captured whiletrying to escape, what then? He would be fool enough to make the venturein our uniform. There would be swift justice; and only the final appealto Caesar. He was with good reason ill at ease. I might indeed have toask the President for something."
He reconsidered his own relation to the adventure as he sat at breakfast,and saw in it some remainder of danger. At ten o'clock he was with theSecretary.
"I want," he said, "to talk to you as my old friend. You are my officialsuperior and may order me to the North Pole, but now may I re-assume theother position for a minute and make a confidential statement?"
"Certainly, Penhallow. I am always free to advise you."
"I want to say something and to be asked no questions. Am I clear?"
"Certainly."
"Thank you. I had an extraordinary adventure yesterday. I am not atliberty to do more than say that it put me in possession of these plans."He spread on the table well-drawn sketches of the forts aroundWashington.
Stanton's grim, bearded face grew stern. "You have my word, Penhallow. IfI had not too easily given it we would have been placed in a disagreeableposition. I am debarred from asking you how you came into possession ofthese papers. The spies who made them would have been in my power earlythis morning--and not even the President's weakness would have savedtheir necks."
Penhallow was silent, but was anxiously watching the angry Secretary,who swept the papers aside with an impatient gesture, feeling that hehad been so dealt with as to be left without even the relief he toooften found in outbursts of violent language. Penhallow's quiet attitudereminded him that he could not now take advantage of his officialposition to say what was on his mind.
"Colonel," he said, "I want a report on some better method of gettingremounts for the cavalry."
"I will consider it, sir."
"What about that contract for ambulances?"
"I shall have my report ready to-morrow."
"That is all." It is to be feared that the next visitor suffered whatPenhallow escaped.
With no other orders the Colonel left, rewarded the punctual policemanand went home to write to his wife, infinitely disgusted with the lifebefore him and behind him, and desiring no more adventures.
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