I then asked the secretary if he was
prepared to show that you had sent the information with that view, or
that you had been overtaken by a tardy sense of repentance. He preferred
to consider my suggestion as humorous. But the inquiry led to my further
discovery that the only treasonable correspondence actually in evidence
was found upon the body of a trusted Federal officer, and had been
forwarded to the division commander. But there was no record of it in
the case."
"Why, I forwarded it myself," said Brant eagerly.
"So the division commander writes," said the President, smiling, "and he
forwarded it to the department. But it was suppressed in some way. Have
you any enemies, General Brant?"
"Not that I know of."
"Then you probably have. You are young and successful. Think of the
hundred other officers who naturally believe themselves better than you
are, and haven't a traitorous wife. Still, the department may have made
an example of you for the benefit of the only man who couldn't profit by
it."
"Might it not have been, sir, that this suppression was for the good
report of the service--as the chief offender was dead?"
"I am glad to hear you say so, General, for it is the argument I have
used successfully in behalf of your wife.
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