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over, I missed a minor turn and disengaged completely. I was flying.
    The interceptor dropped two levels in a free fall. I felt the platform catch me but didn’t see how it happened. When I opened my eyes again, Columbus was behind me.
    I took back all the awful things I said about God in Chicago. He is great.
    It was a straight shot to Philadelphia. Being alive made me so happy that I didn’t even mind the pain. I waved at children on passing trains. When I arrived at the PWB head office, it felt like I had achieved something significant.
    That feeling was short lived. Kate Warne had left me note.
    Robert,
    On order from your father, I have left Philadelphia with Mr. Felton. We will rendezvous with President Lincoln near Harrisburg. One of your brother’s classmates is part of Lincoln’s entourage. You are advised to stay at PWB headquarters. Felton assures that you will be safe from arrest. I will send word by telegraph. - Kate.
    Kate Warne was dispatched to confront Hunt and the Golden Circle. Father preferred to trust my brother’s old chum, the cad Harry Vinton, rather than me. I was abandoned in Philadelphia.
    Well played, Papa.
    *   *   *
    Kate Warne
    February, 1861
    There was no pleasure in following Mr. Pinkerton’s orders. I knew it would injure Robert to be left behind.
    Mr. Pinkerton’s telegraph was a welcome surprise at first. Felton and I were having no success planning a defense for PWB. While I reviewed maps and tried to identify Hunt’s likely targets, he fretted.
    Felton made it impossible to reach any decisions. PWB shares their building with a telegraph hub that routes messages across the eastern seaboard. We were able to communicate with PWB officials throughout the Union. This should have led to fast conclusions. For Felton, the extra input only added to his stress.
    When I read the message from Chicago, I felt rescued. PWB was a non factor. Felton was relieved. A physical change came over him like a defendant who hears a not-guilty verdict at trial.
    I knew what it would mean for Robert. There was nothing for me to do. I had been given an order not a choice.
    Lincoln was in transit to Philadelphia. Mr. Pinkerton did not want to risk sending a warning via telegraph in case Hunt’s collaborators were monitoring the system. He provided me with a note, addressed to the President, which I was to present in person. This seemed a wise precaution. Mr. Pinkerton had known Lincoln for many years.
    I had a few hours at most. I needed to find the President somewhere on three hundred miles of track. I had to board his train and deliver Mr. Pinkerton’s message. I was then to apprehend William Hunt carrying out his assassination attempt.
    â€œI can get you on that train.” Felton said.
    â€œThat won’t be necessary.”
    â€œThe hell it won’t. I was a conductor, you recall. I was better at that job on my first day than I’ll ever be at this one. We connected with trains en route all the time.”
    He led me out of the boardroom.
    â€œI’ll take you up.” He said.
    â€œUp?”
    A hangar on the roof housed the PWB dirigible. A cabin with no floor hung from the underside of the balloon. I looked up to see Felton at the main console.
    â€œI’ll fly.” He said. “You look for the President’s train.”
    This seemed a redundant comment until Felton strapped me in. Bindings tight around my torso, I was suspended face down above the cabin’s open bottom. When the aircraft took flight, there was nothing between me and the city below.
    Two rows of cranks were within reach. Turning them maneuvered huge glass lenses beneath me. The cabin’s open bottom was a viewport.
    We were hundreds of feet in the air. I felt like I could see the whole world. The jumble of the city gave way to open countryside. In less than an hour, Felton positioned us over the rail network. He called down with