[BENJAMIN _seats himself at one of the small tables at left and examines his schedule for the day's work._ THE DOORMAN _opens the door and shows_ VAUGHAN _in, dressed in Confederate uniform._ BENJAMIN _rises and greets him cordially._] BENJAMIN Good morning, young man---- [_Gives_ VAUGHAN _the Sign of the Knights of the Golden Circle._] VAUGHAN [_Returns Sign._] Good morning, Mr. Benjamin--I hope you've rested well? BENJAMIN Not so well as usual--the truth is I've been wrestling all night with the problem of Jacquess and Gilmore. I've confirmed your view that they have given their real names. Gilmore _is_ a reporter of the New York _Tribune_ and Colonel Jacquess is a Methodist clergyman well known in the hospital service, in fact famous for his kindly treatment of Southern prisoners---- VAUGHAN Just as I told you---- BENJAMIN I've allowed the Commissioner of Exchange who has been holding them in custody to bring them here this morning---- VAUGHAN Good! BENJAMIN Last night, I made up my mind to take your advice and to let them see Mr. Davis---- VAUGHAN I'm glad---- BENJAMIN This morning I'm puzzling over it! VAUGHAN [_Showing his disappointment._] Why----? BENJAMIN I agree with you that we could use the interview for our own purposes. But the trouble is, Mr. Davis is soft-hearted sometimes. He may refuse to take my advice. He may let these men go. VAUGHAN You surely can depend on his allowing you to hold them in Libby Prison until after the election? BENJAMIN I'm not sure of it. If he takes a notion to let them go--he's as stubborn as a mule. VAUGHAN All right--Let me be present at the interview and take notes. If Mr. Davis makes an important declaration about peace and lets them go, I'll beat them to the North and give _your_ version of the interview first----! BENJAMIN [_Hesitating._] I might do that--yes----! VAUGHAN I could not only head off any injury from their report, but I could give it a twist that would make it a boomerang on Lincoln---- [BENJAMIN _hesitates while_ VAUGHAN _watches him breathlessly._] BENJAMIN [_Thinking._] You could act as my special secretary for the meeting and take shorthand notes--or pretend to---- VAUGHAN I take shorthand. I've been a reporter in Washington---- BENJAMIN Then it would be easy. VAUGHAN