"
And Mr. X----- turned his head, calling out, calmly,
"Come in!"
The door opened and a stranger glided into the apartment. He was clad
in a blue Federal uniform, half-concealed by a brown linen overall. His
face was almost covered by a red beard; his lips by a mustache of the
same color; and his eyes disappeared behind huge green goggles.
"Come in," repeated Mr. X-----, who seemed to recognize the intruder;
"what news?"
The personage glanced quickly at me.
"Speak before him," said Mr. X-----, "he is a friend."
"I am very well acquainted with Colonel Surry," said the other,
smiling, "and have the honor to number him, I hope, among my own
friends."
With which words, the new-comer quietly removed his red beard, took off
his green spectacles, and I saw before me no less a personage than Mr.
Nighthawk!
IX.
"SEND ME A COPY.--IN CANADA!"
Nothing was more surprising in this singular man than these sudden
appearances at places and times when you least expected him.
I had parted with him in Spottsylvania, on the night when he "deserted"
from the enemy, and rode into our lines; and he was then the secret
agent of General Stuart. Now, he reappeared in the city of Richmond,
with an excellent understanding, it was evident, between himself and
Mr.
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