These papers were no doubt important, and the aim to remove them to
some place of safety beyond the reach of the Confederates.
I gazed for some moments, without moving, upon the spectacle of these
two night-birds at their work. The countenance of the lady was
animated; her motions rapid; and from time to time she stopped to
listen. Swartz, on the contrary, was the incarnation of phlegmatic
coolness. His face wore an expression of entire equanimity; and he
seemed to indulge no fears whatever of intruders.
All at once, however, I saw his eyes glitter as they fell upon a paper
which she handed him to pack away with the rest. It was carefully
folded, but one of the folds flew open as he received it, and his eyes
were suddenly fixed intently upon the sheet.
Then his head turned quickly, and he looked at his companion. She was
bending over a drawer, and did not observe that glance. Thereupon
Swartz folded up the paper, quietly put it in his pocket, and went on
packing the valise with his former coolness; only a slight color in his
face seemed to indicate concealed emotion.
As he pocketed the paper, his companion turned round. It was plain that
she had not perceived the manoeuvre.
At the same moment I heard the sound of hoofs in rear of the house, and
the clatter of a sabre as a cavalier dismounted.
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