"One of Baker's men, I think—attempt on the President's life last week. They've doubled the guard, no doubt."
They passed another, strolling carelessly from the shadows of the white pillars of the portico.
"They seem to be everywhere to-night," John laughed carelessly.
The White House door was open and they passed into the hall and ascended the stairs to the Executive Chamber without challenge. Little Tad, the President's son, who ran the House to suit himself at times, was in his full dress suit of a lieutenant of the army and had ordered the guard to attend a minstrel show he was giving in the attic.
The President had agreed to meet Betty in his office at ten o'clock and told her to bring her friend right upstairs and wait if he were not on time.
They sat down and waited five minutes in awkward silence. Betty was watching the strange glittering expression in John Vaughan's eyes with increasing alarm.
She heard a muffled footfall in the hall, stepped quickly to the door, and saw the man they had passed at the entrance to the grounds.
She returned trembling.
"The man we passed at the gate is in that hall," she whispered.
"What of it?" was the careless answer. "Baker's secret service men come and go when they please here——"