. "The burden of
proof lies with the prosecution--not with the defendant."

"And this is your contention--your _legal_ flaw in my machine?" the
General asked sharply.

"It is."

"Very good, sir--very good. In that case we'll call in these silent
partners and dig into this case until we reach rock bottom!"

"Forbes," he ordered. "Send for the prisoner, Mr. Morrison--and the
Rebel, Herbert Cary. I want both of them here--at once!"

In the pause which followed the Adjutant's exit Harris interposed an
objection.

"Your method, General, is hardly just to the interests of my client."

Grant turned on him with something mere than impatience. He was growing
angry.

"Lieutenant Harris! Are you asking me to pardon a guilty man? It's the
truth I want--not legal technicalities. Next you'll be asking me not to
hang this Rebel spy because he has--a baby!"

He went back to his accustomed place at the window and stood looking out
again, his hands clasped loosely behind his back, the eternal cigar
smoke rising above his head. Then, to the young lieutenant's amazement,
he asked a question in tones of ordinary conversation.

"Harris," he said. "Who was the man who preferred these charges to start
with?"

"Corporal Dudley," was the eager answer.

"And there, General, is another point and a vital one that was not
brought out. In reporting his Colonel, Dudley was actuated not by a
spirit of military duty, but personal revenge."

"Revenge? Why?"

"Because Morrison shot and killed Dudley's brother--a Sergeant in his
command."

The General came back from his window.

"Again--why?"

"For insubordination--incendiarism--attempted desertion," came the swift
reply.

The General's eyebrows raised a fraction of an inch. He seated himself
at his desk and unrolled a map.

"Any witnesses of the Sergeant's death?" he asked evenly as he proceeded
to study his map.

"Unfortunately, only one," Harris replied. "An old negro--now in our
camp--answering to the name of William Lewis."

"Lewis--Lewis," said Grant thoughtfully. He referred for a moment to a
file of papers and then looked up. "Is that the old codger who's been
worrying my entire staff for permission to go through our lines to his
home?"

"Yes, General," said Harris, with a smile, for Unc' Billy's persistency
and his troubles were known to everyone he met.

"Good! It's about time we got even him," the General remarked
sardonically. "Have him in! See to it, Forbes." A