He had forgotten for the moment that both Lincoln and Davis were Southerners, born in the same State and reared in precisely the same school of thought and social usage. "Colonel," the thin Southerner said in his musical voice, "I respect your character and your motives and I wish you well--every good wish possible consistent with the interests of the Confederacy." As they were passing through the door, he added: "Say to Mr. Lincoln that I shall at any time be pleased to receive proposals for peace on the basis of our independence. It will be useless to approach me with any other." Next morning the visitors waited in vain for the appearance of Judge Ould to convey them once more into the Union lines. Visions of a long term in prison, to say nothing of a possible hang-man's noose, began to float before their excited fancy. They had expected the Judge at eight o'clock. It was three in the afternoon when he entered with the laconic remark: "Well, gentlemen, if you are ready, we'll walk around to Libby Prison." Certain of their doom, the two men rose and spoke in concert: "We are ready." They followed the Judge downstairs and found the same coal black driver with the rickety team that had brought them into Richmond. Gilmore smiled into the Judge's face: "Why were you so long coming?" Ould hesitated and laughed: "I'll tell you when the war's over. Now I'll take you through the Libby and the hospitals, if you'd like to go." When they had visited the prison and hospitals, Gilmore again turned to the Judge: "Now, explain to us, please, your delay this morning--we're curious." Ould smiled: "I suppose I'd as well tell you. When I called on Mr. Davis for your permit, Mr. Benjamin was there impressing on the President of the Confederate States the absolute necessity of placing you two gentlemen in Castle Thunder until the Northern elections are over. Mr. Benjamin is a very eloquent advocate, and Mr. Davis hesitated. I took issue with the Secretary of State and we had a very exciting argument. The President finally reserved decision until two o'clock and asked me to call and get it. He handed me your pass with this remark: "It's probably a bad business for us, but it would alienate many of our Northern friends if we should hold on to these gentlemen." In two hours the visitors had reached the Union lines, John Vaughan had obtained his passes and was on his way to Atlanta. CHAPTER XXXVIII THE STOLEN MARCH John Vaughan's entrance into Atlanta was simple. His credentials from Richmond were perfect. His exit proved to be a supreme test of his nerve. The two lines of siege and battle stretched in wide semicircle for miles over the ragged wood tangled hills about the little Gate City of the South.