Chapter 7
The corporal on duty at the desk stood up when they arrived; Daniel said, "I am Captain Daniel West, Corporal, and we are here to see Major Davis. I've been here before, so you need not leave your post to go with us."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir, ma'am."
Only that year, Secretary Stanton had overseen the addition of two more floors to the old War Department building, making it a four-story structure. "Matthew's office is on the third floor," Daniel said. "You don't mind climbing two flights of stairs, my dear?"
"Of course not, Daniel! It's good exercise, and this way I can see where Matthew works. Does his office face the President's House?"
"Yes, he has a good view of the mansion from his window."
They reached the third floor just as Matthew came out of one of the other offices.
"Daniel, Dotty, what a pleasant surprise! What's the occasion?" he asked as he came over to shake Daniel's hand and kiss Dotty's cheek.
"We were passing by and we decided to call in and give you the good news, Matthew," Daniel said. "I asked Dotty to marry me, and she said yes."
"Wonderful! Come and say hello to Colonel Thornton and tell him the news."
Thornton received them cordially, congratulated them on their engagement, and said, "I was thinking about you just this morning, Captain West; I have a large favor to ask, and now that I know you're to be married, I'll include you as well, Dotty."
"A favor, Colonel? What sort of favor?" Dotty asked.
"It is an unfortunate reality that our president receives many threats against his life each year. We do what we can to investigate the source and determine if they are credible threats, but our resources are limited. In the last few weeks, we have received a number of such threats, all postmarked from post offices on the eastern shore of Maryland. Now, as a navy man, Captain West, you know that stretch of the Chesapeake very well, I am sure."
"I do indeed," Daniel said. "What do you want us to do, Colonel?"
"I need someone with a knowledge of the area who can pose as a merchant sea captain and his wife with strong anti-war sentiments. Not secesh, you understand, but "Peace Democrats" as they style themselves."
"Copperheads," Daniel said curtly, almost spitting out the word.
"Yes, sir, Copperheads. We believe there is a strong Copperhead presence in that area, and that it might be the source of these threats against Mr. Lincoln."
"Why us?" Daniel asked.
"Because, sir, I think you can act the part better than anyone else I have available to me, repugnant though the charade would be."
"I have no doubt that Daniel can play the part, Colonel, but I'm not sure about my own, er, ability," Dotty said.
"Oh, you can do it, my dear," Daniel said, patting her hand. "You have a unique talent, you know."
"I do?"
"Yes. People talk to you. You sit down, introduce yourself, and within minutes, a total stranger is telling you his life story. I know; I was one of them."
"It's true, Dotty; Amanda has said the same thing," Matthew said. "You may think of what you say as of no consequence, but that very manner invites confidences."
"In other words, young man, you're telling me that people tell me things because they think I'm too silly to remember what they said, so it's safe?"
"I wouldn't put it that way," Matthew hastened to reply.
She smiled. "I was teasing you, Matthew. I knew what you meant, and yes, I will be happy to play the somewhat featherheaded wife of an old sea dog, devoted to him and to the cause of peace at any price."
"That's the spirit," Daniel said, patting her hand. "When would you want us to undertake this mission, Thornton?"
"As soon as possible, sir. One of the threatening letters said that Mr. Lincoln would not live to see the New Year in."
"Scoundrels, murderers and traitors," Daniel thundered. "In my day, we knew what to do with such miserable cravens, men who hide behind a cloak of anonymity while plotting all manner of evil. Well, Dotty my love, it seems that a small wedding ceremony is in order, and soon. Will you mind that?"
"Oh, no, Daniel. Why, we can have it tomorrow if you like, if Reverend Findlay will oblige us. I have that lovely green frock from Madame Dumont's that Amanda persuaded me to order for Christmas, and she has her red velvet. You'll stand up with us, Matthew?"
"I would be honored, ma'am."
"And I am sure that my wife would like to give a small reception in your honor at our home following the ceremony," Thornton said. "In fact, we'll all go home and start working on the arrangements this afternoon; there's nothing here that can't wait a few hours now that you've agreed to help us."