"We are searching for a rebel spy who entered Winchester with a false pass. The corporal thinks he saw him enter this room thirty minutes ago." "I beg pardon, Captain; it might have been Major Goddard that I saw. It is dark in the hall, and I did not see clearly," interrupted the bewildered corporal. "How long have you been in this room, Bob?" asked Lloyd sternly. Nancy's fingers closed convulsively over the edge of the sofa. Goddard's sightless eyes were turned for an instant in her direction. "Nearly three-quarters of an hour, Lloyd," was the tranquil answer. CHAPTER XIV WHEN TRAGEDY GRINS "As usual, Tad, it is your stomach that is cutting up. Haven't you any other organ in your body?" Tad Lincoln pulled the bedclothes up about his shoulders, and smiled sheepishly at Doctor Boyd. "It was the cream puffs," he murmured apologetically. "And two weeks ago--candy. You are incorrigible. What's this?" The doctor picked an oblong slip of paper off the pillow. It was a check, and read: "Pay to the order of Tad Lincoln 50c--Fifty Cents--for having his tooth pulled. "A. LINCOLN."[1] [1] A true story. "Did it hurt when it came out?" asked Boyd gravely. For reply, the boy opened his mouth, and disclosed a vacancy in the shining ivories. "Well, don't eat this money up. One attack of indigestion should be enough this month." Tad's face fell; he had already planned how he would spend that fifty cents. "Is anything much the matter with Tad, Doctor?" inquired the President, entering the bedroom. "Sit down," as Boyd rose. "I stole up from the levee to ask you how he is." "Just a slight attack of indigestion, due to over-eating, Mr. President. He will be all right to-morrow." "Poor Tad." Lincoln stroked the small, hot head. "It is my fault, Doctor. Mrs. Lincoln was out; so he and I just browsed 'round for dinner. I ate most of the meat, and he the cream puffs. It wasn't an equal division, was it, Tad? Must you be going, Doctor?" "Yes; if one of these green tablets dissolved in half a glass of water is given every three hours the nausea will cease. By the way, Mr. President, before I leave, I want to ask if you will give me a pass through our lines to Richmond. I have received word that my brother lies dangerously wounded in one of their hospitals. We have not met for years, and I"--the doctor cleared his throat--"I would like to see him once again before we are parted for aye." "Certainly!" Lincoln strode over to Tad's table and wrote a few lines; then tore off the top sheet from the latter's school pad. "I hope this will help you. I've given passes to Richmond to my generals, but they haven't got there yet." Lincoln's careworn face lighted with his rare smile. The strain of hope deferred was telling on the President, and Doctor Boyd scrutinized him professionally for a moment. "I've seen you look worse," he growled, "but what I don't understand is how you keep so damned good-natured."