Nancy's face never altered. "May I see the despatch?"
The Secretary paid no attention to her question. "There is no use denying it any longer, Miss Newton. I know you are a rebel spy."
"Indeed. And may I ask on what grounds you base so serious a charge?"
"No, madam, you may not. That will come out at your trial. I had you brought here that I might find out how you secured the key to our secret cipher code."
Nancy started to reply, when the door opened, and the President, followed by Senator Warren, walked quietly in.
"Good evening, Miss Nancy." The President bowed gravely to her. "Keep your seat. Now, Stanton, what's all this about?" And he threw himself into a vacant chair.
The Secretary, surprised by Lincoln's entrance, pulled himself together. He was not pleased by the interruption.
"I was examining Miss Newton, Mr. President, as to how she gained possession of the key to our cipher code. Pardon me if I suggest that it would be better to conduct the interview in private." And he glanced significantly at Warren.
"What do you mean by that insinuation, Mr. Secretary?" demanded Warren hotly.
"Now, now," interposed the President patiently. "Nobody has insinuated anything, Warren. It is perfectly proper that the senator be present, Stanton. You forget he is a member of the Military Commission in Congress."