Add a long, crane-like neck,
two bleared eyes, a mouth stretching from ear to ear, and a nose like
the bill of a duck. You will then have before you the gentleman who
bore, as I soon discovered, the classic name of Mr. Alibi.
When the worthy, who had flapped his arms, by way of greeting, and
shown me into his mansion, informed me that such was his name, I knew
that the house at which I now found myself was the place of meeting
agreed upon between Nighthawk and Swartz, at their interview in
Richmond. Here, also, the man and woman, rescued by Swartz on the
Nottoway, had been left, on his way to Petersburg, as the spy had
informed us in the Wilderness.
"Well, general," croaked Mr. Alibi, with a smile, and in a nasal voice,
"wha--a--t's the news?"
"I am only a lieutenant-colonel, Mr. Alibi."
"Well, colonel, any thing stirring?"
"Nothing, I think. Any news with you, Mr. Alibi? I have heard of you
from a friend of yours."
"Eh! And who mout that be, colonel?"
"Mr. Nighthawk. Have you seen him lately?"
"Na--a--a--w," said Mr. Alibi, with a prolonged drawl through his nose,
and flapping his arms in an uncouth fashion, "I ain't seen him for a
long spell now."
"Nor Swartz, either?"
Mr. Alibi looked keenly at me.
"Na--a--a--w, nor him nuther, leftenant-colonel.
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