So I brought him back, and he named the “Colonel,” and described him particularly. Said he would be found at the principal hotel in the town, in citizen’s dress. I had to threaten him again, before he would describe and name the “Master.” Said the Master would be found at No. 15 Bond Street, New York, passing under the name of R. F. Gaylord. I telegraphed name and description to the chief of police of the metropolis, and asked that Gaylord be arrested and held till I could send for him.
“Now,” said I, “it seems that there are several of the conspirators ‘outside,’ presumably in New London. Name and describe them.”
He named and described three men and two women,—all stopping at the principal hotel. I sent out quietly, and had them and the “Colonel” arrested and confined in the fort.
“Next, I want to know all about your three fellow-conspirators who are here in the fort.”
He was about to dodge me with a falsehood, I thought; but I produced the mysterious bits of paper which had been found upon two of them, and this had a salutary effect upon him. I said we had possession of two of the men, and he must point out the third. This frightened him badly, and he cried out,—
“Oh, please don’t make me; he would kill me on the spot!”
I said that that was all nonsense; I would have somebody near by to protect him, and, besides, the men should be assembled without arms. I ordered all the raw recruits to be mustered, and then the poor trembling little wretch went out and stepped along down the line, trying to look as indifferent as possible. Finally he spoke a single word to one of the men, and before he had gone five steps the man was under arrest.
As soon as Wicklow was with us again, I had those three men brought in. I made one of them stand forward, and said,—
“Now, Wicklow, mind, not a shade’s divergence from the exact truth. Who is this man, and what do you know about him?”
Being “in for it,” he cast consequences aside, fastened his eyes on the man’s face, and spoke straight along without hesitation,—to the following effect.