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. It was opened by a tall figure--the
President himself. He reached out a long arm to Brant, who stood
hesitatingly on the threshold, grasped his hand, and led him into the
room. It had a single, large, elaborately draped window and a handsome
medallioned carpet, which contrasted with the otherwise almost appalling
simplicity of the furniture. A single plain angular desk, with a
blotting pad and a few sheets of large foolscap upon it, a waste-paper
basket and four plain armchairs, completed the interior with a contrast
as simple and homely as its long-limbed, black-coated occupant.
Releasing the hand of the general to shut a door which opened into
another apartment, the President shoved an armchair towards him and sank
somewhat wearily into another before the desk. But only for a moment;
the long shambling limbs did not seem to adjust themselves easily to
the chair; the high narrow shoulders drooped to find a more comfortable
lounging attitude, shifted from side to side, and the long legs moved
dispersedly. Yet the face that was turned towards Brant was humorous and
tranquil.

"I was told I should have to send for you if I wished to see you," he
said smilingly.

Already mollified, and perhaps again falling under the previous
influence of this singular man, Brant began somewhat hesitatingly to
explain.

But the President checked him gently,--

"You don't understand. It was something new to my experience here to
find an able-bodied American citizen with an honest genuine grievance
who had to have it drawn from him like a decayed tooth. But you have
been here before. I seem to remember your face."

Brant's reserve had gone. He admitted that he had twice sought an
audience--but--

"You dodged the dentist! That was wrong." As Brant made a slight
movement of deprecation the President continued: "I understand! Not from
fear of giving pain to yourself but to others. I don't know that THAT
is right, either. A certain amount of pain must be suffered in this
world--even by one's enemies. Well, I have looked into your c