y I ask on what grounds you base so serious a charge?"

"No, madam, you may not. That will come out at your trial. I had you
brought here that I might find out how you secured the key to our
secret cipher code."

Nancy started to reply, when the door opened, and the President,
followed by Senator Warren, walked quietly in.

"Good evening, Miss Nancy." The President bowed gravely to her. "Keep
your seat. Now, Stanton, what's all this about?" And he threw himself
into a vacant chair.

The Secretary, surprised by Lincoln's entrance, pulled himself
together. He was not pleased by the interruption.

"I was examining Miss Newton, Mr. President, as to how she gained
possession of the key to our cipher code. Pardon me if I suggest that
it would be better to conduct the interview in private." And he glanced
significantly at Warren.

"What do you mean by that insinuation, Mr. Secretary?" demanded Warren
hotly.

"Now, now," interposed the President patiently. "Nobody has insinuated
anything, Warren. It is perfectly proper that the senator be present,
Stanton. You forget he is a member of the Military Commission in
Congress."

"And I am also here as Miss Newton's legal representative," added
Warren warmly, still ruffled by Stanton's manner.

Nancy shot him a grateful glance, but Stanton frowned. He did not like
the turn things were taking.

"What is Miss Nancy accused of?" inquired Lincoln.

"Of being a rebel spy."

Lincoln's face grew grave. He inspected Nancy keenly, as his mind flew
back to the scene before the deserted house on B Street. It might
be.... "And what have you to say to that accusation, Miss Nancy?" he
asked sternly.

"I deny it."

"The girl lies," declared Stanton.

Nancy's eyes flashed her indignation, and she turned squarely and faced
the Secretary.

"The honorable Secretary," she said, with biting scorn, "has three
times announced that I am a rebel spy. Is it not time that he produce
evidence to prove that _he_ is not lying."

Stanton turned purple with suppressed wrath. To be bearded by a slip of
a girl, and before the President! "Blustering will not help your
cause," he snarled.

"You have made a serious charge," interrupted Lincoln thoughtfully. "I
agree with Miss Nancy, Stanton, that it is time you produce your
evidence against her."

The Secretary wheeled on Baker. "Where is Captain Lloyd?"

Lincoln, who was covertly studying Nancy, saw her move ever so slightly
and her eyes dil