'You have money - too much money, Moore,
by an amount I might easily name - a home which some might call
palatial, a lovely, if not altogether healthy wife, two fine
children, and all the honor which a man in a commonwealth like this
should ask for. Drop politics.'
"'Politics are my life,' was the cold response. 'To bid me drop
them is to bid me commit suicide.' Then, as an afterthought to
which a moment of intervening silence added emphasis, 'And for you
to drive me from them would be an act little short of murder.'
"'Justice dealt upon a traitor is not murder,' was the stern and
unyielding reply. 'By one black deed of treacherous barter and sale,
of which none of your countrymen is cognizant but myself, you have
forfeited the confidence of this government. Were I, who so
unhappily surprised your secret, to allow you to continue in your
present place of trust, I myself would be a traitor to the republic
for which I have fought and for which I am ready to die. That is
why I ask you to resign before -'
"The two children did not catch the threat latent in that last
word, but they realized the force of it from their father's look
and were surprised when he quietly said:
"'You declare yourself to be the only man on the commission who is
acquainted with the facts you are pleased to style traitorous?'
"The general's lips curled.
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