"
Nighthawk rose, and I did likewise, declining the courteous request of
Mr. X----- to prolong my visit. He held the door open with great
politeness and said, smiling:--
"I need not say, my dear colonel, that the views I have expressed this
evening are confidential--for the present, at least."
"Assuredly," I replied, with a bow and a smile.
"Hereafter you are at liberty to repeat them, if you wish, only I beg
you will ascribe them to Mr. X-----, an unknown quantity. If you write
a book, and put me in it, send me a copy--in Canada!"
A moment afterward I was wending my way through the shrubbery, thinking
of the curious personage I had left.
At the gate Nighthawk awaited me, and I scarcely recognized him. He had
resumed his red beard, and green glasses.
"I am glad to see you again, colonel," he said benignantly; "I heard
that you were in the city and called at your lodgings, but found you
absent."
"You wished to see me particularly, then, Nighthawk."
"Yes, and to-night, colonel."
"Ah!"
"I know you are a friend of General Mohun's."
"A very sincere friend."
"Well, I think we will be able to do him a very great service by
attending to a little matter in which he is interested, colonel. Are
you disengaged, and willing to accompany me?"
X.
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