Trivial offenses were treated as though they had taken place before the enemy; the death penalty was meted out, without compunction, for breaches of discipline which at other times would have only received the punishment of solitary confinement. Harry Vernon knew that such law was maintained on a man-of-war, but he could not understand why it should be applied on land. He was the more puzzled because Bob was handed over to the civil authorities, and was placed in the city stocks. "What shall you do next?" asked Tempest. The answer was given with such emphasis that Tempest never forgot and never could forget it. "Do? Go to Paul Hamilton, and if he does not release Bob then I'll go to the President. If he refuses, dang me if I don't bring the _Lively Bee_ up the Potomac and fire its guns until----" "Hush! that is treason!" "Call it what you like. If hanging is in order, why, let them hang me; but I'll make them dance before they get the chance." Paul Hamilton was in bed. He thought Vernon and Tempest some drunken roysterers, and took no notice of their demand to see him. The woman who answered the door of the secretary's modest house was alarmed. Well she might be, for the men both wore swords and looked angry. "Tell Secretary Hamilton that unless he comes down we will force our way to his chamber and----" "Sirs, he will see you, I am sure he will! please let me go and ask him again." "Go, my good girl, and hurry, for time is pressing." The girl had not waited to hear the whole of the speech; she had flown upstairs, and with sobs and tears had impressed the secretary with the necessity for prompt action. Dressed in a very unbecoming _déshabille_, consisting of a long bathrobe, tied around the waist with a piece of red bellcord, and old-fashioned nightcap on his head, and a pair of slippers very much down at the heel, the popular statesman and cabinet minister descended the stairs. "Well, sirs, what affair of great moment made you arouse me from my bed at this unseemly hour?" Then, as a glimmer of light from the candle fell upon Tempest's face, the secretary exclaimed: "You are Lieutenant Tempest, are you not?" "Yes, sir, and this is Captain Vernon of the _Lively Bee_." "Ah! the bearer of the news which hath so charmed us. Forgive me for my _brusquerie_, but why call so late?" Paul Hamilton was the very pink of gentlemanly courtesy, and after overcoming his first outburst of anger at being aroused from his warm bed, he was most cordial. Tempest explained the object of his visit. "There must be something wrong," he said; "if the boy, as you say, is condemned to die, why is he not in the military keeping?" "That passes comprehension." "Wait, gentlemen, until I dress, and I will see what can be done." The secretary was not long in making his appearance, and went at once with Vernon and Tempest to the White House. "Only the President can stay an execution," he explained.