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512 brooding on the possibly detrimental effects which the assassination would have on the fortunes of the South. After an early breakfast the next morning, I took the east ward-bound train, and returned to Washington, and on reaching that city, called to see Colonel Baker. We exchanged but a few words, as Baker said that he had an engagement, which he would be compelled to attend to immediately, but he would see me at half past seven o'clock, at my hotel. Leaving him, I started off for the purpose of trying to find out something about Mrs. Surratt and the other prisoners, and their probable fate. In the Capitol I met a Confederate officer, whom I knew. I was astonished to see him, and going up, I said,—

"O, what could have induced you to come here at such a critical time as this ? "

"To see and hear what is going on," he replied.

"This is an awful affair."

"Yes; and it is particularly unfortunate that it should have happened at this particular time."

"When will you return?"

"To-night, if somebody less amiable than you are does not recognize me and take me in charge."

I then asked him if he would carry a letter through for me to my brother, and on his promising me that he would, I made an engagement for him to go to my room in the hotel. He would find the door unlocked, and the key inside, and I would meet him at five o'clock, or shortly after. I then took leave of him, bidding him be careful of himself, as the people were excited and suspicious, and he might easily get himself into serious trouble.

Returning to the hotel, I noticed quite a number of ladies in the drawing-room as I passed by. I thought I would join them, for the sake of listening to the different conversations that were going on, thinking that perhaps I might hear some thing that it would be advantageous for me to know. On reaching my room, therefore, I dressed myself in a hand some black gros-grain silk dress, and putting a gilt band in my hair, descended, and took a seat at one of the drawing-room windows, facing on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Those around me all appeared to be discussing the tragedy,