I thought my fire could not be seen from the road."
"Why should it not be?"
"Well, perhaps I exaggerate danger. But I am on an important scouting
expedition--wanted to reflect, and not be seen--I am going, to-night,
through the lines on a little affair of which you know something."
"Ah, what do you refer to?"
"That paper," said Nighthawk, succinctly. "It is in the hands of
Alibi--there is a Yankee picket at his house--but I am going to see
him, and force him to surrender it."
"Is it possible he has it! Do you know that?"
"Strangely enough, colonel. Do you remember that woman, Amanda?"
"Perfectly. I visited her with Mohun."
"He told me of your visit. Well, you no doubt remember also, colonel,
that he offered her a large sum to discover the paper--that she offered
to try and find it, or give him a clue to its whereabouts--he was to
return in ten days, and hear her report."
"Yes," I said.
"Well, he returned, colonel, but Amanda could tell him nothing--which
you no doubt have heard."
"Yes, from him."
"I have been more successful, at last, in dealing with this strange
woman. I do not know if she is a witch or an epileptic, or what--but
she has convinced me that Alibi has the paper we want."
And Nighthawk proceeded to explain. It was an exceedingly curious
explanation.
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