"
"What was this officer's name?"
"His name was Richard Anthony Treadwell, and he was major of the seventh
regiment of cavalry."
The sudden mention of this name brought me to my feet. My surprise was
so great that for a moment I could say nothing. Then I said, coolly, "I
have Major Treadwell's commission in my pocket." Gault stared at me in
blank amazement. I drew from my pocket the old document found in the
little house in Virginia after the death of Nancy Blake, and handed it
to him. I had put it in my pocket just before I left Washington,
intending to at last give it to its owner.
He took the paper and glanced at the name. "Where did you get this?" he
exclaimed, bewildered with astonishment.
I briefly related the circumstances.
"Well," said Gault, "this is a wonderful coincidence; it is the most
remarkable thing that I ever knew. The traitor, it seems, is still
in my family, but not on my side of the house. Fortunately for me,
however, I do not share my excellent father-in-law's sentiments on the
subject of 'blood,' and this singular discovery regarding my wife's
great-great-grandfather will not disturb me in the least. Now," he
continued, "this remarkable sequel of a remarkable case is known by you
and me only, and we may as well let it rest here.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155