mused, a little angry and also
puzzled. "It had proved," he said, "a fine weapon in the hands of the
Democrats." The young man was glad to shift the talk, but wherever he
went for a few days, people, knowing of his duel, were sure to talk to
him of this mysterious business. Later the "Aurora" and Mr. Bache, who
had taken up the role in which Mr. Freneau had acted with skill and ill
temper, made wild use of the story and of the value of the stolen papers
to a criminal cabinet. Over their classic signatures Cato and Aristides
challenged Democratic Socrates or Cicero to say how General Washington
would be the better for knowledge of the rant of the strolling player
Fauchet. Very soon, however, people ceased to talk of it. It was an
unsolved mystery. But for one man torment of body and distress of mind
kept ever present the will and wish to be without risk revenged. He was
already, as he knew, _persona non grata_, and to have Schmidt's story
told and believed was for the secretary to be sent home in disgrace. He
waited, seeing no way as yet to acquit himself of this growing debt.

January of 1795 came in with the cabinet changes already long expected.
Carteaux was still very ill in bed, with doctors searching for the
bullet. As yet he told only of being robbed of his despatches and that
he had lost neither watch nor purse, which was conclusive. Whereupon
Fauchet talked and insulted Randolph, and the Democratic clubs raved
with dark hints and insinuations, while the despatch went on its way,
not to be heard of for months to come. Rene, who was for a time uneasy
and disliked the secrecy thrown about an action of which he was far
from ashamed, began at last to feel relieved, and thus the midwinter was
over and the days began noticeably to lengthen.

XXII

"Let us skate to-night. I have tried the ice," said Schmidt, one
afternoon in February. "Pearl learned, as you know, long ago." She was
in town for a week, the conspirators feeling assured of Rene's
resolution to wait on this, as on another matter, while he was busy with
his double work. Her mother had grown rebellious over her long absence,
and determined that she should remain in town, as there seemed to be no
longer cause for fear and the girl was in perfect health. Aunt Gainor,
also, was eager for town and piquet and well pleased with the excuse to
return, having remained at the Hill long after her usual time.

"The moon is a fair, full matron," said Schmidt. "