“But they are not aware, I’ll wager, that it was your hand that bent them so,” said the other.
“They do not dream of it; each thinks the idea began with himself, and I,” with a laugh, “am careful enough to allow them to go on thinking so.”
“Now as to this foreign adventurer, Conway,” said Sugden; “he seems to have advanced in favor very rapidly.”
“The opposition to Washington took him up because he dislikes Washington; they are struck with admiration of his military talents. I control him by the only means which could control him. He fancies, through my hints, that Gates is but a figurehead, and when the time comes to choose Washington’s successor, that he, himself, will be the man.”
“Better and better,” commented the other, his tongue clicking in admiration. “You have lost none of your cunning, I see.”
“You have heard of the change that has been made in the commissariat of the army, I suppose?”
“Why, yes, something, I think.”
“It has been taken from the hands of those friendly to Washington. Delays will ensue, and that will insure a poorly fed, badly clothed and scantily cared-for following. With such a rabble, he can do nothing. The result will be the growth of the cry ‘Give us Gates; he can save the country!’”
“Clever,” admired the other; “very clever, upon my word!”
“It is lucky for us that Gates has succeeded Schuyler in the north,” said Hawkins. “Schuyler has borne the brunt of the fighting up there, and when he had so placed the pieces as to assure success, he was removed from command, and the favorite sent in his place to reap the fruits of his labor.”