direction that Mr.
Lincoln and himself had been able to thwart the late conspirators in
many of their diabolical schemes during the war, and that they failed
only in one--that of preventing the murder of the President.

"In speaking of this sad calamity the great tears stood in his eyes.
'But,' said he, 'my dear friend Lyon, we are now standing upon the verge
of a volcano, and this time, if the schemes of the conspirators can be
carried out, we will be in more danger than ever; and we who have just
put this great rebellion down will be compelled to play the part of
rebels ourselves in the next great drama.'

"I was almost struck dumb by this announcement, and thought the
Secretary was perhaps unnecessarily alarmed at some minor matter. He
rang his bell for a messenger, and sent him across the street for the
General of the Army. He soon came in, and after pleasant greetings we
all retired to the Secretary's private room. There he was about to
make me acquainted with this whole matter, when the General said to the
Secretary that he desired his Chief of Staff to be present. He was sent
for, and soon entered. I was put under a pledge of secrecy, and then the
whole scheme was revealed to me as I have told it to you, except that it
was given to me more in detail. The name of their secret informant was
given, and I was then truly surprised and could no longer doubt the
facts as to the conspiracy for the second rebellion. The man who had
unfolded the scheme to the Secretary of War and to the General of
the Army was a man of reputation in a marked degree; had held a high
position in the Confederate service, but had seen enough of war, and
also respected his parole to the General of our Army.

"The General did not know at what moment he might be relieved from the
command of the Army, and was therefore anxious that the Secretary of War
might in some way be prepared for the emergency, should it arise; but
said that he could not personally be a party to any preparations for
such an event while he was subject to the orders of the President. So he
said that he would retire, but would leave his Chief of Staff, who, he
said, seemed to be belligerent enough for any purpose. When the General
withdrew the Secretary said:

"'Now, Mr. Lyon, what can you do to aid us, or what do you suggest?'

"I said: 'Give me until this evening to reflect upon the matter and I
will meet you gentlemen here at any hour that may be agreed upon.' So
eight