The Spangler Connection

[Eva Elisabeth]

It's difficult to say without knowing how much of the box exactly was visible through that hole, but I would assume that like an actor before entering the stage he might have liked to have a look at the current "situation" in the box before entering for the deed, e.g. to see exactly where (and that) all were seated - didn't Lincoln sometimes sit in the back of the box rather than at the rail? Also to check if there were other guests (men) replacing the Grants.

What I don't understand at all is JWB's choice of weapons. Why a derringer which he could only shoot once? What would he have done had Grant been there? And I consider it quite risky to "rely" on the knife.