CHAPTER XVI
A TANGLED SKEIN
The President and his companions sat looking at Symonds in stupefied silence. Secretary Stanton was the first to speak.
"Dead!" he thundered. "Who killed him?"
"I don't know, sir."
"What killed him?"
"I don't know, sir," reiterated Symonds stupidly.
"Was he shot or stabbed?"
"Neither, sir."
"Well, damn my soul!" The exasperated and hot-tempered Secretary clutched the inkstand with the evident intention of hurling it at Symonds. "What did he die of?"