The Washington times., 1911-06-15
CHAPTER XIV lcontinuedl.

<<V INDEED" remarked JeffersCl
Davis, in droll tone, this Il
a terrible revelation"
Just So" answered the I'M
perturbable Bledsoe, patient and mirth
less under their amusement.
What a MYSTERY" laughed Ben ma
min, displaying his fine, teeth. 90
course, Henry will pay old man Tun
stalls mortgage rather than let hliL
foreclose:" And how pleasant to Know
many namesakes of the father OF our
newborn country-is recovering IRON
the measles! Colonel, allow me to con-
sratulate you on this inyalus Die ma
Perhaps there is some Invisible witt
ing" President Davis suggested, grow,
ing more serious. which you discovered
None. All is written plainly there.
Behold the diabolical craft that uses
simplicity like that to defeat suspicion
Surely that man is in league with the
devil l. too, would have passed II by.
Only God would not let me;
Then will you kindly point out to US
what has so impressed you?
Omit the superscription, said Bled-
soc. Begin with the body of the note,
and read only each third and seventh
word"
Thereupon President Davis. in tones
that became tragic in their deepening
gravity, read aloud:
''Time-your-mar Tun-
rs-when-city-falls I-will-attend
-to-Davis- with-other-work - after
1eaving-the-Libby."
he had finished. The three would have
made q striking picture just then. There
sat Jefferson Davis, ruler Of some Il, 900.
900 souls, more or less, holding in his
upon his tired, emaciated face a reluc-
tant and frowning advertisement. Be-
hind him, leaning over the chair. too
dismayed to change the strained atti-
tude In which the OMNIBUS news had
caught him. hung the fat little Machia-
velli of the rebellion, his black eyes
staring at Bledsoe, who stood up be-
fore the table. dark and tall and ugly,
but with something majestic shining
ITO whom was this sent?' the Presi-
dent finally asked.
ITO General Butler. at Fortress Mon
roe"
Butler the Beastr cried the volant
French Jew. under his breath. From
whom"
Captain Grigg."
Gracious Heavens! Here are battle,
murder. and sudden death ali predicted
in a simple little home-letter about the
mortgage and the measles. Something
must be done quickly. 1t is plain the
a aaF this is SGcEsd and PE prime Why
and killed like a mad dog? How is II
that word comes every now and then
that he has been prowling at night
around the Presidents house, yet moth
ing Is done to stop him? Why is not
AN end put to his career? There's been
something amiss. that he's allowed to
go SO long unscathed!
Bledsoe drew himself up more stiffy
Sir. If 1 am found neglectful,s my
resignation will be handed in at any
time"
NO. moi" calculated the President.
NO fault is found with you. My friend
las for. Grigg." Bledsoe continued,
81 have laid ambushes for him through
out that residence district, 10! these
many days. Twice. he has been fired
on, but has escaped. That man seems
to have more than human power. !
admit he is shrewder than l. II God
We're not on my side, should despair
of taking him.
But what is to be done about this?''
letter
-Four things" answered the chief of
the secret service.
Four. Four thousand. you meant
exclaimed Benjamin. And all a once"
-Four things. First. to place heavier
guard about your house: Second. to
place mine of gunpowder under the
Libby. to blow it up on the first attempt
TO break OUT
"'Is that in accordance with the rules
OF war;" inquired Davis, who, from his
army was always pOnCtlllOuS.
Desperate situations call for desper-
ate measures"
This is no time, your excellency for
ethical quibbles," protested BENJAMIN.
IF they break out, they'll slaughter us
all in our beds. Where will be your
bubbles them"
Third" said Bledsoe, II wish to send
your negro Cornelius to Washington,
ostensibly as a runaway, with informa-
ton that will recommend him TO Stan
ton for Dahlgren's use"
But why this strange mover" the
President asked
Because Cornelius is absolutely faith
ful to you, and perhaps thereby I can
fend OF Dahlgren's part in the alta -
'H-mp! 1t seems a futile expedition
at such a crisis
Believe me, sir. Grigg's plot goes
wide and deep"
We'll, be n so. Your fourth precau-
tion against this peril?'
II shall myself enter the Libby prison
as a Yankee captive" said Colonel
Bledsoe, in a matter-of-fact voice. THE
idea came to me as a special dispense
ton this morning. in answer to prayer
for divine guidance"
And, as though there was nothing
further to be said, he put on his hat
and unceremoniously left the room.