BENJAMIN
Last night, I made up my mind to take your advice and to let them see Mr. Davis----
VAUGHAN
I"m glad----
BENJAMIN
This morning I"m puzzling over it!
VAUGHAN
[_Showing his disappointment._]
Why----?
BENJAMIN
I agree with you that we could use the interview for our own purposes.
But the trouble is, Mr. Davis is soft-hearted sometimes. He may refuse to take my advice. He may let these men go.
VAUGHAN
You surely can depend on his allowing you to hold them in Libby Prison until after the election?
BENJAMIN
I"m not sure of it. If he takes a notion to let them go--he"s as stubborn as a mule.
VAUGHAN
All right--Let me be present at the interview and take notes. If Mr.
Davis makes an important declaration about peace and lets them go, I"ll beat them to the North and give _your_ version of the interview first----!
BENJAMIN
[_Hesitating._]
I might do that--yes----!
VAUGHAN
I could not only head off any injury from their report, but I could give it a twist that would make it a boomerang on Lincoln----
[BENJAMIN _hesitates while_ VAUGHAN _watches him breathlessly._]
BENJAMIN
[_Thinking._]
You could act as my special secretary for the meeting and take shorthand notes--or pretend to----
VAUGHAN
I take shorthand. I"ve been a reporter in Washington----
BENJAMIN
Then it would be easy.
VAUGHAN
No matter what is said, I can make a report that will harden the purpose of our Societies to swing the uprising on the night of the election.
BENJAMIN
You are sure the order for the revolt against the Lincoln Government has been issued?
VAUGHAN
Absolutely sure.
BENJAMIN
I know they have discussed it and may have decided to do it, but are the actual preparations under way?
VAUGHAN
In every Lodge of the Knights of the Golden Circle, the command is now on record. Our forces are being drilled. I have read the original order with the signature of the Commander----
BENJAMIN
[_Elated._]
It"s great news you"ve brought us, young man--great news!
[BENJAMIN _hesitates and_ VAUGHAN _watches him._]
All right, we"ll risk it----!
[VAUGHAN _shows his secret joy and deep excitement._]
These men are Lincoln"s spies beyond a doubt--but we"ll dig out of them all the information possible, and then use them for our purpose----
[THE DOORMAN _enters._]
THE DOORMAN