"
Mohun looked at the woman keenly, and said:--
"I wish you, now, to answer plainly the question which I am about to
ask. I come hither as a friend--I am sent by your friend Mr. Nighthawk.
Listen and answer honestly--Do you know any thing of a paper which
Swartz had in his possession--an important paper which he was guarding
from Colonel Darke?"
"I do not, sir," said Amanda, with her eternal smile.
"For that paper I will pay a thousand dollars in gold. Where is it?"
The woman's eyes glittered, then she shook her head.
"On my salvation I do not know, sir."
"Can you discover?"
Again the shake of the head.
"How can I, sir?"
Mohun's head sank. A bitter sigh issued from his lips--almost a groan.
"Listen!" he said, almost fiercely, but with a singular smile, "you
have visions--you see things! I do not believe in your visions--they
seem folly--but only _see_ where that paper is to be discovered, and I
will believe! nay more, I will pay you the sum which I mentioned this
moment."
I looked at the woman to witness the result of this decisive test of
her sincerity. "If she believes in her own visions, she will be
elated," I said, "if she is an impostor, she will be cast down."
She smiled radiantly!
"I will try, sir!" she said.
Mohun gazed at her strangely.
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