But he was prepared to suspect every one of insincerity and of faithlessness; and, being the master of the machinery of the plots, he was ready, upon a whispered justification, to despise the orders of his leader, and act by his own light in blunt disobedience.

For it was his belief that while others speculated he knew all.

He knew where the plots had failed; he knew the man who had bent and doubled.

In the patriotic cause, perfect arrangements are crowned with perfect success, unless there is an imperfection of the instruments; for the cause is blessed by all superior agencies.

Such was his governing idea.