"
"Can you do so?"
"With one companion--to look out while I pick the lock."
"Good--I'll go with you; and provide for contingencies, too."
I had seen a cavalryman passing along the road in front of the house,
and as Mr. Alibi came in at the same moment, I sent him to hail the
wayfarer, and bring him to the house. As soon as Mr. Alibi had left us
on his errand, I tore a sheet from my note-book, obtained from
Nighthawk an exact description of the locality where Swartz was
confined, and writing a note to Mohun, informed him of our intention.
If he could send a squadron of cavalry to drive in the picket near the
house, it would insure the success of our design, I added.
As I finished this note, Mr. Alibi appeared with the cavalryman. He
proved to belong to Mohun's command. I entrusted the note to him,
cautioning him that it was important, and must reach Mohun
promptly--then I looked at my watch.
It was four o'clock. Already the sun was declining toward the wooded
horizon; I looked toward it, and then at Nighthawk, who nodded.
"In an hour, colonel," he said, "and as I am broken down, I will
sleep."
With these words, Nighthawk leaned back in his split-bottom chair,
covered his face with his handkerchief, and in ten seconds his long,
quiet breathing showed plainly that he was asleep.
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