The Secretary, surprised by Lincoln's entrance, pulled himself together. He was not pleased by the interruption. "I was examining Miss Newton, Mr. President, as to how she gained possession of the key to our cipher code. Pardon me if I suggest that it would be better to conduct the interview in private." And he glanced significantly at Warren. "What do you mean by that insinuation, Mr. Secretary?" demanded Warren hotly. "Now, now," interposed the President patiently. "Nobody has insinuated anything, Warren. It is perfectly proper that the senator be present, Stanton. You forget he is a member of the Military Commission in Congress." "And I am also here as Miss Newton's legal representative," added Warren warmly, still ruffled by Stanton's manner. Nancy shot him a grateful glance, but Stanton frowned. He did not like the turn things were taking. "What is Miss Nancy accused of?" inquired Lincoln. "Of being a rebel spy." Lincoln's face grew grave. He inspected Nancy keenly, as his mind flew back to the scene before the deserted house on B Street. It might be.... "And what have you to say to that accusation, Miss Nancy?" he asked sternly. "I deny it." "The girl lies," declared Stanton. Nancy's eyes flashed her indignation, and she turned squarely and faced the Secretary. "The honorable Secretary," she said, with biting scorn, "has three times announced that I am a rebel spy. Is it not time that he produce evidence to prove that _he_ is not lying." Stanton turned purple with suppressed wrath. To be bearded by a slip of a girl, and before the President! "Blustering will not help your cause," he snarled. "You have made a serious charge," interrupted Lincoln thoughtfully. "I agree with Miss Nancy, Stanton, that it is time you produce your evidence against her." The Secretary wheeled on Baker. "Where is Captain Lloyd?" Lincoln, who was covertly studying Nancy, saw her move ever so slightly and her eyes dilate. "I sent word to him that I was bringing Miss Newton to see you, instead of taking her to the provost marshal, and to join us here. I think this is he coming now," as the sound of hurrying footsteps sounded outside in the corridor. Baker stepped to the door, and pulled it open. "Come in, Lloyd." But the man who entered was not Lloyd. He breathed heavily, as if spent with running, and, despite the cold winter night, beads of perspiration trickled down his face. "Symonds!" exclaimed Baker. "Did you go for Captain Lloyd, as I ordered?" Symonds nodded, gazing past Baker with frightened eyes at Nancy. "Then, why didn't he return here with you?" "Because"--Symonds took a long breath--"because--he's dead!" CHAPTER XVI A TANGLED SKEIN The President and his companions sat looking at Symonds in stupefied silence. Secretary Stanton was the first to speak. "Dead!" he thundered. "Who killed him?" "I don't know, sir." "What killed him?" "I don't know, sir," reiterated Symonds stupidly. "Was he shot or stabbed?"