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Bald as an onion, the uessed; and he had a scar across his cheek that ht noas s the scar and his eyes alike

He opened his aron Beauregard Hainey, and I bring you the services of my ship and crew"

Gideon was taken aback "Hainey? Of the Macon Madmen?" Well, that accounted for the accent

Captain Hainey performed a little bow "At your service! Are you the renowned doctor, Gideon Bardsley?"

"I am"

"Then it’s a pleasure!" He caorously shook Gideon’s hand "Fros about you--great things indeed!"

President Grant caave the next handshake "I’ve heard many tales of the Macon Madmen You’re the last of them, aren’t you?"

"So far as I know," the captain confirmed "I was innocent of all those crimes, but I’ve since committed plenty I could be convicted for more fairly Perhaps I can talk a pardon out of you before the sun coot one whenever you want one," the president assured hiun is it?"

"Oh, that?" he said casually "That’s the Rattler It’s a Gatling conversion I’ll show it to you, if you like But first…" He turned his attention to Lincoln

Lincoln sat serenely, a peaceful and knowing expression on his face "Do I have Kirby Troost to thank for your intervention?" he asked

"You know Troost: The man’s a miracle, but he can’t be every place at once So, yes, you owe it in part to that strange little fellow, and in part to those strange little ladies" He jerked a thumb back over his shoulder, where Mary and Polly were descending the dirigible steps with caution

"Wait … how?" Gideon began to ask, and then he shouted to the women, "You’re supposed to be in the attic!"

To which the captain said, "I found theedso! I wasn’t sure I could find the place; there’s not a ray of light anywhere for athe power and taps alike--but yourit around on the alk like … like a little asped "Mrs Lincoln, you could’ve been shot!"

"But I wasn’t!" she hollered back Then, in an ordinary voice, she said, "Thank you, young , braided hair took her elbow and helped her down the last step

"That’s ineer," Hainey told them, as the man saluted "And the first mate’s inside Mr Lincoln, I want you to know: It was your naht me here I would’ve done it for the scientist, here … but you were the reason we cah stor you we’re just about spent … but you were the man who said the truth the loudest, and made it law: You were the man who reminded the world that we are free"

Twenty-two

LEAD DEVELOPING RE HAYMES IN MISSOURI STOP DETAILS TO COME STOP MAY NEED TO ARRANGE TRAVEL ON SHORT NOTICE STOP UNTIL THEN REMAIN IN DC WITH WELLERS STOP APINK

COURIER PACKAGE RECEIVED STOP ARRANGING MY OWN TRANSPORT STOP DO NOT ASK FOR DETAILS AND I WILL NOT INVOICE YOU STOP I WILL WANT A VERY NICE COAT STOP PERHAPS ALSO AN EXPENSE ACCOUNT STOP MB

IF THE RIDE IS FREE THE COAT IS YOURS STOP APINK

Twenty-three

Three Weeks Later