The Washington times., 1911-06-14

as usual save for an added severity Of
mien, presented himself at the custom
house and inquired for the President.
| There was already quite a throng of
people waiting in the outer office, but
the Presidents private secretary, Burton
/ Harrison. who knew that the early visit
i of the chief of the secret service indi-
Gated something of special Importance,
whispered to him that Jefferson Davis
could be found at the department Of
state. closeted with Secretary Benjamin.
| To the northwest corner of the custom
house, accordingly, Bledsoe betook him
self, and, passing through the two outer
/ offices Of the department of state-an
| oasis of dreamy quiet in that pandemon-
ium of crowded activity and clamor-
struck his hand upon the closed door Of
! the innermost.
A cheerful voice within cried: En-
teri"
Bledsoe opened the door and strode in.
| At the center Of this room was long,
black walnut table, covered with green
| baize, on which lay a few documents
and papers. In one corner stood a tier
of shelves containing pamphlets and
books, among which a closer inspection
would have revealed several bound vol
umes of the Atlantic and Continental
monthlies, Partons Butler in New Or
| leans" and such histories of the civil
war as had already been published. The
walls were hung with a few maps and
plans of battle.
As Colonel Bledsoe entered, Jefferson
Davis was seated behind the long table
| with an opened document of some sort
, in his hand, too intent upon what he
read to notice the intruder. Beside him
sat a short, plump, oily man wearing
| immaculate clothes and a ponderous
! gold watch-chain.
His round features were strongly Jew
! ish, his complexion yellow but fiorid
Glossy black curis covered his head, and
a clipped black beard fringed his jaws
| and chin, leaving his mouth clean
shaven. Upon his lips a suggestion of a
smile. half restrained, perpetually bask-
somber earnestness of the world around
him. No one would have picked this
SNUG little parsonage, by. his appear
ance to be the subtlest, cleverest mind
| in the South, and one of the greatest
| lawyers in America and England. 1t was
Judah p. Benjamin, secretary Of state
| for the Confederacy, the most unpopular
member of the cabinet, and the Presi-
dents favorite counselor.
Immediately the French Jew arose
from his chair and came forward with
extended palm.
"Ah. good morning. my dear Colonel
Bledsoe. Was II his eXcellency, or only
myself. you wished to seer
Mr.. Davis" replied Bledsoe. impas
sively, advancing to the table.
AT this Jefferson Davis looked up from
his reading and greeted him.
II was so preoccupied," said the Pres
ident, II failed to note who entered"
Sir" answered Bledsoe, bowling
stiffly, 81 took the liberty to tntrude be-
which should be communicated without
delay"
There is always. I fnd, a substantial
reason behind your actions" the Presi-
courtesy. Laying aside the document,
he composed himself to listen.
BENJAMIN had discreetly withdrawn to
window. and stood looking cut upon
the wintry morning. humming TO him
BILE, at that. to avoid overheaing what
was said.
In the first place" said Colonel Bled-
soc, and lowered his deep, harsh voice.
Il ascertained. on my recent journey
| into Maryland, that one Col. Uric
Dahlgren, a scion of the admiral. came
to this city. in disguise, few days ago
| to confer with Captain Grigg."
"Ulric Dahlgren? Is It posslble?" The
President made gesture of surprise,
and smiled. How the years fly! II
| seems but yesterday the commodore
around to our house in Washington to
p, show us how pretty he looked in his
black velvet suit ana white SVandyke
collar. And he was here 10 CONFER
| with that desperate. Grigg7"
Yes. I returned a day too late. He
had already got safe through the lines
again on passport bought of Lieuten-
ant Kirk. Of Winder's passport office,
We'll. I can hardly find K in my
heart to regret his escape. I should not
have liked to have to impose sentence
Of death on young Dahlgren. the son Of
You may live to regret it," harshly
remarked Bledsoe, fixing his cold eyes
on the Presidents face. You in par
dcular."
| lar from young Dahlgren's visit?'
ASSASSINATION" And Bledsoe vented
a dry cough behind his hand.
My assassination? Davis murmured.
He sat very quiet a moment, then
reused himself with a short laugh.
Threatened men live long
Not when such as Captain Grigg
| threaten them"
saw fit to drop his pretense of not hear
Ing, and in a startled manner hurriedly
| approached the two speakers.
surely cried he, laying an anxious
hand on Bledsoe's sleeve, 'if there is a
plot to assassinate his excellency. every
| precaution must be taken at orce! Such
precious life as his could not be
spared now. Celia va sans dire"
Davis said after a moments silence.
The Dahlgrens are gentlemen. And I
question II even the embittered leaders
assa ssination."
Without further remark, Bledsoe drew
from his pocket the letter which had
occupied his attention during the pre-
vious night, and spread It out upon the
Jefferson Davis read it aloud, while
| Benjamin. too eager to wait, looked al
| II over the Presidents shoulder
The Secretary of State chuckled. and
even the President, lifting his eyebrows,
smiled as he looked up in surprise al
the forbidding countenance of him who
| had soberly presented such d letter as
evidence Of a plot
Continuation of This Story VIII Re
Found In Tomorrow Issue