56. CHAPTER LVI.
A DARK CONSPIRACY.
It was the night of the evacuation. For hours the Federal
troops, for all that now defended the South and the Government
of the United States, were thus denominated,
had been defiling over the Long Bridge into Virginia.
Baltimore had fallen into the hands of the invaders by
capitulation. Delaware and Maryland were subjugated
provinces!
Propositions of a similar character had been made the
President, in regard to the District of Columbia and the
Federal city. But the only response was that the Federal
forces, unable to resist the approach of the invaders, would
retire, at a time specified, across the Potomac river. But,
until the time named, the President would resist any attempts
of the enemy to enter the capital.
In the meantime not only the army, but all the civilians
inimical to the invaders, were, day and night, crossing
the Potomac and taking refuge in Virginia. But it was
remarked that a very large proportion of the employés of
the Government had disappeared mysteriously, and that
many of them had not taken leave of the President, or
heads of their respective Departments. The White House
had suddenly lost its charm.
The public treasure, of course, was with the army; and
Crook's four millions were safe in his military chest, to be
scrupulously divided among the brave soldiers who had
captured it.
In one of the offices of the deserted Treasury Building,
two men were conversing in low tones. It was quite dark,
and they did not invite observation. One was Mr. Windvane,
holding an important position under the Government.
The other individual was Virus, the Protector's confidential
negotiator.
“Windvane,” said the latter, “I would not have this
spy of yours play us falsely, for all the money in the President's
flying Treasury!”
“Be under no concern. For several years he has furnished
me information of the President's most secret interviews.
To sweep the floor, to replenish the grate, to announce
dinner, he has had access at all hours. He has long
been in my power. If he played me falsely, or even failed
to communicate intelligence, he has been aware that a word
of mine would crush him!”
“And he is still at the White House?”
“Still there, in obedience to my command, with an assurance
that he will be promoted by General Ruffleton.”
“The promise will be fulfilled, if he serves us.”
“He will, assuredly. The coach is now standing at the
door of the mansion, and Abel (he was a freed mulatto)
will be here immediately after Randolph and his daughter
enter it. They will cross the canal, where your men are in
ambush, after the last soldier of the retiring army has passed
over. Randolph has said repeatedly that he would be the
last to abandon the Capital, and it is a point of honor to
comply literally with his word.”
“His capture will be an important blow. And I do not
see how he can escape us.”
“He cannot fail to fall into your hands, if you have men
enough concealed in the boats to rush out and stop his
horses.”
“There are nearly a hundred. And they will stop the
carriage on the bridge.”
“That is right. If he passes over, he could never be
overtaken. But then, Virus, you think my affairs will prosper?”
“You will merit the Protector's unlimited confidence.
That much he has authorized me to say. He remarked,
moreover, that your long experience in the Departments of
the Government, would be of invaluable benefit to him. If
he should determine to make this city the Capital of his
Empire, I think I am justifiable in saying you will be placed
at the head of one of the Executive Departments.”
“Virus, I possess the qualifications to discharge the duties.
But what is that?” he asked, as a rushing sound was
heard.
“It is the cavalry of Valiant, the rear guard of the army,
abandoning the city. Within an hour the Protector will
occupy the Capital!”
“And will he occupy the White House?”
“Will he not? Of course he will! And Randolph—
where will he be?”
“In the power of the Protector! But what will he do
with him?”
“I have not heard him say, Windvane; and, really, I cannot
conjecture what disposition will be made of him. But
where are his Blue Caps?”
“His Blue Caps? True? Where are they? I do not
know! It is strange they should be absent at a time like
the present. It is their peculiar province to guard the persons
of the President and his romantic daughter. And Randolph
does not commit blunders!”
“What is that!” Virus asked this question, upon being
startled by a shuffling of feet and a tapping of the marble
floor in the hall between the rows of offices.
“Fly! Fly! Romans! Fly to the mountains! The
deluge is here! The Goths and Vandals!” Such were the
words which greeted their ears.
“That is crazy Charlotte!” said Windvane. “Every day
for the last week she has passed our doors uttering such unmeaning
words. Everybody here has long been accustomed
to her senseless jargon. But how the d—l she contrived to
get into the building is past my comprehension. I saw that
the doors were closed and fastened myself.”
“Perhaps she remained in the building as well as yourself.
I hope she has not been listening to our conversation!”
“No fear of that. Or if she had, she could never retain
it in her memory. And if she could repeat it word for word,
no one would heed her. The other day she entered the
East Room when the President and his adherents were striving
to keep their spirits up at the magnificent banquet, and
uttered her maniacal incantations. Abel says the President
merely smiled, and invited her to eat and drink with the rest.”
“And has she not gone to the President now?”
“It is not improbable; for she goes and comes as she
pleases, and at all hours. But no one heeds her. She was
here, with me, before she went to the banquet. But Abel
says she did not allude to me at all.”
“Very well. I suppose you know all about her. Hear
how she slams the door! She has certainly gone towards
the President's mansion.”
“She has not done so clandestinely, at all events,” said
Windvane.
“The cavalry,” said Virus, “must have nearly all gone
by. The sounds are diminishing.”
“True. I think I hear the wheels of the artillery carriage—the
last batteries. It cannot be long before the President
and his daughter will enter the carriage. Then we
shall have Abel!”
“And then the signal! The rocket is prepared—”
“Yes. Three of them. All cannot possibly fail to ascend.
Our cigars are lighted, and if they fail I have lucifer matches.”
“And they are well named. The devil himself, they say,
is on our side! But suppose that mad woman discovered
the rockets in the rear as she passed out, and removed or
destroyed them?”
“I will see!” said Windvane, groping his way out.
“They have not been molested!” said he, returning a few
moments after.
“Windvane, the Protector will reward you. Did you
not hear the wheels of the coach?”
“No. But the cavalry and artillery have gone by, and
all is silent in the deserted streets. Abel's appearance will
be the first intimation of the departure of Randolph. The
wheels of his coach will not be heard on the fine gravel of
the lawn. It cannot be many moments before his arrival.
He knows where we are, and will come directly to us, accompanied
by one or two of the servants he has won over.
Hist!” Footsteps were heard approaching.
