Under his cloak I saw the gray uniform of a Confederate soldier; in his
hand he carried a letter.
Nighthawk saluted Mr. X----- and myself with benignant respect. His
quick eye, however, had caught the gloomy and agitated expression of
the statesman's countenance, and he was silent.
"Well," said Mr. X-----, raising his head, with a deep sigh. Then
passing his hand over his face, he seemed to brush away all emotion.
When he again looked up, his face was as calm and unmoved as at the
commencement of our interview.
"You see I begin a new scene in this comedy," he said to me in a low
tone.
And turning to Nighthawk, he said:--
"Well, you followed that agreeable person?"
"Yes, sir," said Nighthawk, with great respect.
"She turned out to be the character you supposed? Speak before Colonel
Surry."
Nighthawk bowed.
"I never had any doubt of her character, sir," he said. "You will
remember that she called on you a week ago, announcing that she was a
spy, who had lately visited the Federal lines and Washington. You
described her to me, and informed me that you had given her another
appointment for to-night; when I assured you that I knew her; she was
an enemy, who had come as a spy upon _us_; and you directed me to be
here to-night, and follow her, after your interview.
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