Which I fancy a 'claim' or a 'case' would
imply."
He had no idea of taking this attitude before, but the disappointments
of the past month, added to this first official notice of his disgrace,
had brought forward that dogged, reckless, yet half-scornful obstinacy
that was part of his nature.
The official smiled.
"I suppose, then, you are waiting to hear from the President," he said
drily.
"I am awaiting orders from the department," returned Brant quietly,
"but whether they originate in the President as commander-in-chief, or
not--it is not for me to inquire."
Even when he reached his hotel this half-savage indifference which had
taken the place of his former incertitude had not changed. It seemed to
him that he had reached the crisis of his life where he was no longer a
free agent, and could wait, superior alike to effort or expectation. And
it was with a merely dispassionate curiosity that he found a note the
next morning from the President's private secretary, informing him that
the President would see him early that day.
A few hours later he was ushered through the public rooms of the White
House to a more secluded part of the household. The messenger stopped
before a modest door and knocked.
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