As they stopped at the gate of the railing around the White House, Lincoln said, “When you don’t want anything, come and see me—­or if you do.”  Then, becoming grave, he asked, “What effect will my proclamation of emancipation have in the South?  It takes effect in January, you know.”  It was like Lincoln.  He asked this question of all manner of people.  “I want to know,” he added, as Penhallow hesitated.

“I am not in a position, sir, to have any opinion about how the Rebels will be affected by it.”

“Oh, Confederates!  Colonel—­not Rebels.  Calling names only hurts, and don’t ever help.  Better to be amiable about labels.”

“It was a slip of the tongue, Mr. President.  I usually say Confederates.”

“Quite right—­tongue very slippery organ.  Reckon my small truant holiday’s over.  Everybody generally is letting me know what effect that emancipation-thunder will have.”  A strangely tender smile grew upon the large features.  “You see, Colonel, you and I are the only ignorant people in Washington.  Good-bye.”

CHAPTER XXII

Saluting the Commander-in-Chief, Penhallow turned away in absent mood thinking of the burdened man who had passed from sight into the White House.  As he crossed Lafayette Square, he suddenly remembered that the President’s request for his company had caused him to forget to look over the papers in his office of which the Secretary had spoken.  It was desirable to revisit the War Department.  As he walked around the statue of Andrew Jackson, he came suddenly face to face with his wife’s brother, Henry Grey.  For a moment he was in doubt.  The man was in United States uniform, with an army cloak over his shoulders—­but it was Grey.  Something like consternation possessed the Federal officer.  The Confederate faced him smiling, as Penhallow said, “My God!  Grey, you here! a spy in our uniform!  Many people know you—­detection and arrest would mean—­”

“Don’t talk so loud, James.  You are excited, and there is really no reason.”

Penhallow said quietly, “I have good reason to be excited.  You will walk on in front of me to Willard’s Hotel.  I will go with you to my rooms, where we can talk freely.  Now, sir.”

Grey stood still.  “And suppose I decline to obey my rather positive brother-in-law.”

“You are not a fool.  If you were to try to escape me, and you are thinking of it, I would set on you at once any half dozen of the soldiers within call.”

“In that case my revolver would settle my earthly accounts—­and pleasantly relieve you.”

“Don’t talk.  Go on ahead of me.”  He would not walk beside him.