until Mr. Schmidt found it. Then the man was cared for, and I
delivered his papers to their destination."

"I regret, sir, to hear that of this you have no proof. Here your word
suffices. Outside of these walls it has been questioned."

"I have no proof,--none of any value,--nor can I ever hope to prove that
I did what my own honor and my duty to the administration required."

Hamilton listened intently while the aging, tired face of the President
for a moment seemed lost in reflection. Then the large, blue eyes were
lifted as he said, "At present this matter seems hopeless, sir, but time
answers many questions." Upon this he turned to Hamilton. "There are two
persons involved. Who, sir, is this Mr. Schmidt? I am told that he has
left the country; in fact, has fled."

For a moment Hamilton was embarrassed. "I can vouch for him as my
friend. He was called to Germany on a matter of moment. At present I am
not at liberty to reply to you more fully. He is sure to return, and
then I may,--indeed, I am sure, will be more free to answer you
frankly.

"But if so, what value will his evidence have? None, I conceive, as
affecting the loss of the despatch. If that charge were disproved, the
political aspect of the matter would become unimportant. The affair, so
far as the duel is concerned, would become less serious."

"It seems so to me," said Hamilton. "The Democrats are making the most
of it, and the English Federalists are doing harm by praising my young
friend for what he did not do and never would have done. They were mad
enough in New York to propose a dinner to the vicomte."

The President rose. "I do not think it advisable, Mr. Hamilton, to
pursue this matter further at present; nor, sir, do I apprehend that any
good can result for this gentleman from my willingness to gratify your
wish that I should see him."

"We shall detain your Excellency no longer."

The President was never fully at ease when speaking, and owing to a
certain deliberateness in speech, was thought to be dull when in company
and, perhaps through consciousness of a difficulty in expression, was
given to silence, a disposition fostered, no doubt, by the statesman's
long disciplined need for reticence.

After Hamilton had accepted the President's rising as a signal of their
audience being over, Rene, seeing that the general did not at once move
toward the door, waited for Hamilton. The ex-Secretary, however, knew
well the ways of his friend and