That was what made the affair so difficult to handle. For even
her bringing your dispatch to the division commander looked bad for you;
and you know he even doubted its authenticity."
"Does she--does Miss Faulkner know the spy was my wife?" hesitated
Brant.
The President twisted himself in his chair, so as to regard Brant more
gravely with his deep-set eyes, and then thoughtfully rubbed his leg.
"Don't let us travel out of the record, General," he said after a pause.
But as the color surged into Brant's cheek he raised his eyes to the
ceiling, and said, in half-humorous recollection,--
"No, I think THAT fact was first gathered from your other friend--Mr.
Hooker."
"Hooker!" said Brant, indignantly; "did he come here?"
"Pray don't destroy my faith in Mr. Hooker, General," said the
President, in half-weary, half-humorous deprecation. "Don't tell me
that any of his inventions are TRUE! Leave me at least that magnificent
liar--the one perfectly intelligible witness you have. For from the
time that he first appeared here with a grievance and a claim for
a commission, he has been an unspeakable joy to me and a convincing
testimony to you. Other witnesses have been partisans and prejudiced;
Mr.
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