“As I have said, two days after I overheard two men plotting against the United States. Toward the end of their conversation the younger man, whom I took to be an American, mentioned the name which woke the sleeping chords of memory—the name of my dearly loved wife, Nora Fitzgerald,”—his voice broke with a sob. Eleanor raised his hand to her lips and kissed it tenderly. Her father’s grasp tightened involuntarily and he continued:
“I hastened back to Washington as soon as I could get here, working my passage, and on my arrival went to see Secretary Wyndham. The news of Senator Carew’s death was a great shock, for I had depended on him to assist me to find my wife and child. I believe I had some sort of attack at the Department, but all I recollect is finding myself again in the street.”
“What did you do then?” questioned Douglas, as the older man paused.
“I came on here, thinking I might find Dana. He was out, but old Nicodemus opened the door for me. He recognized me almost instantly; hurried me out into the kitchen, and there poured out such an extraordinary tale of Dana’s behavior that I sat dumfounded.”
“Do tell us what he said,” urged Brett, hitching his chair forward.
“In justice to myself I must,” was the grave reply. “Dana was a moral degenerate; brave to a fault, and very clever, he did not know the difference between right and wrong. If he had been content to keep straight he might have risen to high places; instead he practiced deceit and dishonor.” Thornton’s sad face hardened. “He was always a first class actor, and that talent helped him in the double life he was leading. Nicodemus told me that he was in the habit of disguising himself whenever he was up to deviltry.”
“Ah, that explains why Annette did not know that Dana Thornton was ‘the mutual friend’ to whom she delivered and from whom she received secret despatches,” put in Brett, who had followed Captain Thornton’s words with breathless interest.
“After what Nicodemus told me I decided not to let my brother know of my presence here,” continued Captain Thornton, “and so occupied an unused room in the garret, where Nicodemus took care of me.”
“Oh, why didn’t you come to me?” asked Eleanor passionately.