“I would there had been another way of doing this,” said he. “I have no liking for double dealing in any form.”
“Nor I,” said the young lieutenant. “But to deceive them was perhaps the only way to success.”
“Without a doubt,” said Ben. “Such men as these refuse to fight in the open, or in such a manner that one can deal them a hearty blow. One must adopt their own methods if they are to be fought at all.”
“I suppose you are right,” sighed old Mr. Claflin. “Fight fire with fire.”
“They have come to consider us as sharing their views,” spoke the lieutenant, “and have grown less and less averse to speaking their minds before us.”
“The house is alive with them,” said old Mr. Claflin. “And never such a crew of sordid conspirators did I encounter anywhere. They mask their desires, to be sure, behind a pretense that what they advocate is for the country’s good. But,” with a gesture of contempt, “not for a moment do they lose sight of their own personal ends.”
“Lafayette has been offered an independent command,” said Lieutenant Claflin. “An expedition is to be organized against Canada; if he will accept he is to be placed at the head of it, with General Conway second in command. According to their plans, the latter, by his superior experience and natural military talents, would soon assume the real command.”
“I see.”
“This is supposed to have two results. The Marquis will be drawn away from the immediate influence of Washington, and the favor shown him by those opposed to the commander-in-chief will bind him to them permanently.”
Ben sat with his chin resting in his hand, his eyes staring into the fire.