"Unless the great Attorney General, Edwin M. Stanton, decides to arrest
him--if he'll only do it!"
Socola nodded carelessly.
"I understand, Senator. A week from to-day. The same hour--the same
train."
In a moment he had disappeared in the crowd and hurried to the office of
the Secretary of War.
Holt received his announcement with a smile about the corners of his
strong, crooked mouth.
"That's lucky. I'd rather you were with Davis ten to one. Amuse yourself
for the week by getting all the information possible of their junta
here--"
"Barton will stay until the inauguration--"
"Of course--a spy in the camp of the enemy. He could be arrested, but
it's not wise under the circumstances--"
"You will not arrest Senator Davis?"
"Nonsense. Stanton's a fool. Nothing would please them better. I've
convinced him of that. A wrangle in the courts now over such an issue
would postpone its settlement indefinitely. The Supreme Court of the
United States has sustained the South on every issue that has been
raised. The North is leading a revolution. The South is entrenched
behind the law. They can't be ousted by law. It can only be done by the
bayonet--"
Holt paused and looked thoughtfully across the Potomac.
"Report to me daily--"
Socola silently saluted and left the office with his first feeling of
suspicion and repulsion for his Chief.
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